Abstract: Heat treatment processes for hardening a workpiece such as a turbine blade include attaching a spacer to a workpiece surface, wherein the spacer comprises an inner profile mirroring the workpiece surface and an outer profile effective to generally uniformly distribute heat to the workpiece surface, heating the spacer to uniformly heat the workpiece surface at a temperature effective to form an austenitic microstructure in the workpiece surface, cooling the workpiece surface at a rate effective to transform the austenitic microstructure to a martensitic microstructure, and removing the spacer from the workpiece prior to or subsequent to cooling.

Abstract: A products having at least a portion thereof with a nanocrystalline microstructure, and methods of producing such products. The method generally entails machining a body to produce a polycrystalline chip having a nanocrystalline microstructure. The chips produced by the machining operation may be in the form of particulates, ribbons, wires, filaments and/or platelets. The chips may be consolidated (with or without comminution) to form a product, such that the product is essentially a nanocrystalline monolithic material consisting essentially or entirely of nano-crystals, or of grains grown from nano-crystals. Alternatively, the chips may be dispersed in a matrix material, such that the product is a composite material in which the chips are dispersed as a reinforcement material. According to a particular aspect, a monolithic article can be formed entirely from a single chip by deforming the chip and/or removing material from the chip.

Abstract: A plant for the heat treatment of metallic elements (E) includes: at least a chamber (3) for containing the metallic elements (E) having at least one access opening (A1); a heater (4) of the chamber (3), operating on the chamber (3) for bringing the same at a predetermined temperature; a conveyor (15), connected with a respective actuator and acting on the metallic elements (E) for transferring these latter at the exiting and/or entering with respect to the chamber (3). The conveyor (15) has been positioned outside the chamber (15) during the functioning of the plant (1).

Abstract: Methods to enhance the quality of grain boundary networks are described. The process can result in the production of a metal including a relatively large fraction of special grain boundaries (e.g., a fraction of special grain boundaries of at least about 55%).

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a component with a base of Co—Cr—Mo alloys having values of average ultimate elongation at 800° C. greater than 10% and of average yielding load at 800° C. greater than 400 MPa, comprising: obtaining a sintered component by additive sintering of powders of Co—Cr—Mo alloys containing carbides irregularly dispersed in the molten matrix; Conducting a first heat treatment on the sintered component for solubilization of the carbides at a temperature of between 1100° C. and 1300° C. for at least 2 hours to form a solubilization intermediate; and cooling the solubilization intermediate at a cooling rate at least equal to that of cooling in air to form a cooled intermediate; and conducting a second heat treatment on the cooled intermediate at a temperature of between 700° C. and 1000° C.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermally treating and coloring a plurality of curved suture needles. The apparatus includes a conveyer for transferring the plurality of curved suture needles from a source of curved suture needles to a receiver, a housing positioned adjacent the conveyer, the housing having a first end, a second end, and an opening running from the first end to the second end, the opening aligned with the conveyer to enable the plurality of curved suture needles to pass therethrough, a heat source located within the housing for heating the plurality of curved suture needles as the plurality of curved suture needles are transferred by the conveyer from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing and a system for providing a gas mixture containing a fractional concentration of oxygen to oxidize and colorize the surfaces of the plurality of curved suture needles as the plurality of suture needles pass through the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hardened profiles, in particular hardened open profiles, wherein the component is at least partly heated to above the austenitizing temperature of the base material and after heating the component is cooled at a rate above the critical hardening rate, the energy necessary for the heating being introduced at least partly by induction, wherein free edges are provided in the component to adjust a temperature or hardness gradient over the cross section of the component, the size, type and extension of the edges being set for a desired degree of hardness and/or hardness gradient.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a thin component is characterized by heating a thin component, and thereafter, while sizing with molds and using molds as cooling media, performing one of quenching and isothermal transformation processes on thin component. Thus, a manufacturing method of a thin component without warping or deformation in heat treatment with even and high hardness, a bearing ring, a thrust needle roller bearing, a manufacturing method of a rolling bearing ring, a rolling bearing ring, and a rolling bearing can be obtained.

Abstract: A system and method for producing material characteristics are described. A magnetic treatment chamber with a high magnetic field treats workpieces; and a conveyor or transporter continuously moves the workpieces through the high magnetic field in the magnetic chamber. A frictional or mechanical engagement system extracts the workpieces through and out of the high magnetic field.

Abstract: A process to manufacture an oilfield component comprises selectively reinforcing a base material with an age-hardenable clad material and age-hardening the clad material for a selected time and at a selected temperature profile, wherein the age-hardening results in the clad material developing a selected strength gradient. A body of a ram blowout preventer comprises, a low-ally base material, a vertical bore through the body, and a horizontal bore through the body intersecting the vertical bore, wherein at least a portion of the body is selectively reinforced with a clad material, and wherein the clad material is age-hardened for a selected time and at a selected temperature profile resulting in the clad material developing a selected strength gradient.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a uranium-bearing foil are described. The foil may be substantially pure uranium, or may be a uranium alloy such as a uranium-molybdenum alloy. The method typically includes a series of hot rolling operations on a cast plate material to form a thin sheet. These hot rolling operations are typically performed using a process where each pass reduces the thickness of the plate by a substantially constant percentage. The sheet is typically then annealed and then cooled. The process typically concludes with a series of cold rolling passes where each pass reduces the thickness of the plate by a substantially constant thickness amount to form the foil.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of treating a component comprising solution treating the component for a period of about 4 to about 10 hours at a temperature of about 1750 to about 1850° F.; cooling the component to a temperature of about 1490 to about 1520° F. at an average rate of 1° F./min to about 25° F./min; stabilizing the component at about 1450 to about 1520° F. for a period of from about 1 to about 10 hours; cooling the component to room temperature; precipitation aging the component by heating the component to a first precipitation aging temperature of about 1275 to about 1375° F. for about 3 to about 15 hours; cooling the component at an average rate of 50 to about 150° F./hour to a second precipitation aging temperature of about 1100 to about 1200° F. for a time period of about 2 to about 15 hours; and cooling the component.

Abstract: To provide a method of producing a strengthened alloy capable of shortening the time necessary for aging treatment and obtaining a strengthened alloy with enhanced tensile strength. The method of producing a strengthened alloy comprises a solution treatment step S1 of immersing an alloy material into molten lithium held at a solution treatment temperature higher than solution temperature of solute metal of the alloy material, a solution stop step S2 of immersing the alloy material into molten lithium held at a cooling temperature lower than the solution treatment temperature after the solution treatment step S1, an aging treatment step S3 of immersing the alloy material into molten lithium held at an aging treatment temperature lower than the solution temperature after the solution stop step S2, and an aging stop step S4 of immersing the alloy material into molten lithium held at an aging stop temperature lower than the aging treatment temperature after the aging treatment step S3.

Abstract: Medical devices, such as endoprostheses, and methods of making the devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, an endoprosthesis includes a first portion having a first width, and a second portion having a second width different than the first width, wherein the first and second portions have different grain sizes.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to improve the cycle performance in a nickel-metal hydride battery using a rare earth-Mg—Ni type alloy. The present invention provides a nickel-metal hydride battery having a negative electrode including an La—Mg—Ni based hydrogen absorbing alloy, wherein the hydrogen absorbing alloy has a crystal phase having Gd2Co7 type crystal structure and contains calcium.

Abstract: A method of quenching a ring shaped article includes a heating step (S1) of heating the article (W) to a quenching temperature; a primary cooling step (S2) of cooling the article (W) down to a deformation correction initiating temperature, which is higher than a martensitic transformation point; and a secondary cooling step (S3) of cooling the article (W) down to a temperature lower than the martensitic transformation point by, while a pair of receiving rolls (3) are held in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the article (W) for rolling motion about an axis of rotation parallel to a center of the article (W), pressing a press roll (4), rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to the center of the article (W), against the outer peripheral surface of the article (W) from one side of the article (W) opposite to a point intermediate between the receiving rolls (3).

Abstract: Nanostructured Mn—Al and Mn—Al—C permanent magnets are disclosed. The magnets have high coercivities (˜4.8 kOe and 5.2 kOe, respectively) and high saturation magnetization values. The magnets are prepared from cost effective and readily available elements using a novel mechanical milling and annealing method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a quenching medium for treating a heated metal part, said medium comprising water and a polyacrylate terpolymer comprising acrylamide and/or methacrylamide monomer units, acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid monomer units and alkyl alkoxylate allyl ether monomer units where the acid groups are in the form of an alkali metal salt and where the alkyl alkoxylate allyl ether monomers are of the formula where n is an integer from 1 to about 30, R is ethylene, propylene or butylene and G is an alkyl group of 8 to 30 carbon atoms. Also disclosed is a method for quenching a heated metal part, which process comprises immersing said metal part in the quenching medium. Also disclosed are the polyacrylate ternary copolymers.

Abstract: A thermal treatment process for an article of a cast or wrought aluminum-silicon alloy with an eutectic phase. The process comprises a rapid heating of the article to an annealing temperature of 400° C. to 555° C. and maintaining the article at this temperature for a not more than 14.8 minutes.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for cooling workpieces. A cooling gas is directed toward a surface of a workpiece. The workpiece is moved relative to the flow of cooling gas. The cooling gas may include at least a first component that is gaseous at a reference ambient condition and a second component that is a liquid at the ambient condition. The second component may be delivered as a gas or as droplets.

Abstract: A process for producing a profile component from a semi-finished sheet metal part, which at least in certain sections has a structurally increased strength. The semi-finished sheet metal part is formed in an at least a single-stage bending process. The bending process and also subsequent parting and cutting operations on the semi-finished sheet metal part are combined with a thermal treatment of at least one geometrically delineated region of the semi-finished sheet metal part. The thermal treatment comprises at least one heating step and is combined with a subsequent cooling step, in such a way that the at least one geometrically delineated region has a structurally increased strength after cooling. Bending can be effected by using roller profiling wherein rollers are preferably cooled or swage bending.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of sheets which are rolled to final dimensions in a roll stand, subsequently undergoing on-line cooling, straightening and heat treatment for homogenization and influencing of microstructure. To improve the heat treatment, the heat treatment is carried out online such that it is decoupled from the preceding cooling and straightening, while taking into account the speed at which the sheet exits from the final workstation upstream, the time at which the heat treatment begins is selected in such a way that the sheet has completely left this final workstation before the sheet is subjected to the heat treatment.

Abstract: A method for the low temperature heat treatment of an age-hardenable magnesium based alloy, including following steps: (a) providing a solution heat-treated and quenched age-hardenable magnesium based alloy; and (b) subjecting said alloy to low temperature ageing below 120° C. for a period of time sufficient to develop an enhanced ageing response.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hot forming tool (1, 101, 201, 301) for hot forming a metal workpiece (4, 204), having at least two dies (2, 3; 202, 203; 202, 303) which may be moved relative to one another for forming the workpiece (4, 204), and having a cooling device (5) by means of which the workpiece (4, 204) may be cooled in the hot forming tool (1, 101, 201, 301) from a first, higher temperature to a second, lower temperature. To improve the hot forming tool (1, 101, 201, 301), it is provided that the hot forming tool (1, 101, 201, 301) is equipped with a separating device (10, 210, 310) by means of which a separating operation may be carried out on a workpiece (4, 204) present in the hot forming tool (1, 101, 201, 301). The invention further relates to a method for hot forming.

Abstract: A method of cooling both surfaces of steel plate, which stably secures precision of cooling control from a start of cooling to an end so as to uniformly cool the top and bottom surfaces of the steel plate and thereby stably secures the steel plate quality and cools the steel plate down to a target temperature with a good precision. The method comprises dividing a steel plate cooling region into at least a spray impact part region and a spray non-impact part region, predicting a heat transfer coefficient for each divided region in advance, computing a predicted temperature history of the steel plate based on this predicted value, and setting and controlling amounts of sprayed coolant on the spray impact part regions by top and bottom surface nozzles.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a device for tempering electronic components (5) within a handler (1) for a functional test. The components (5) are initially pre-tempered in a temperature chamber (2) by convecting a gas and are then directly tempered in a conductive manner to the test temperature in a test chamber (3). The gas pressure (P1) inside the test chamber (3) is greater than the gas pressure (P2) in the temperature chamber while the gas pressure (P2) in the temperature chamber (2) is greater than the ambient pressure (Pa). The inlet (4) and outlet (29) of the temperature chamber (2) are alternately opened and closed.

Abstract: A hot formed part of high-strength steel includes a body having an opening and formed in one piece with at least one tab in the form of a tongue projecting into the opening for holding a connection piece captive on the body. The tab thus is formed in one piece with the hot formed part and is produced jointly with the openings during manufacture of the hot formed part in the hot forming process.

Abstract: A method for producing a filled skutterudite-based alloy includes the steps of melting alloy raw material that includes a rare earth metal R that is at least one species selected from among La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu and Yb, a transition metal T that is at least one species selected from among Fe, Co, Ni, Os, Ru, Pd, Pt and Ag, and metallic antimony Sb to form a melt; and rapidly quenching the melt through strip casting to form a solidified product that is the filled skutterudite-based alloy advantageously usable for a thermoelectric element.

Abstract: A tool having a relatively ductile working end for engaging workpieces and a relatively hard non-working portion for driving the tool is disclosed, and a process for making same. The tool is formed with the material in a first state, such as by cold-working, and then only the non-working portion is heat treated to a second state. The working end is thus maintained in the ductile state while the non-working portion is hardened, thus imparting different materials performance characteristics to working end and non-working portion.

Abstract: A rock bit is formed with pockets for enhanced cutting element retention and support of the cutting elements during operation of the rock bit. Portions of the pockets are carburized to increase the yield strength of the pockets which also increases the retention of the cutting elements. The pockets are formed at a diameter that is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the cutting elements. Portions of the pockets are then carburized. The pockets are heated until the diameter of the pockets is equal to the diameter of the cutting elements. After the cones have been cooled and cleaned, a material is placed in each pocket prior to installing the cutting elements. The material homogenizes support for the cutting elements during operation of the rock bit.

Abstract: Fatigue damage resistant metal or metal alloy wires have a submicron-scale or nanograin microstructure that demonstrates improved fatigue damage resistance properties, and methods for manufacturing such wires. The present method may be used to form a wire having a nanograin microstructure characterized by a mean grain size that is 500 nm or less, in which the wire demonstrates improved fatigue damage resistance. Wire manufactured in accordance with the present process may show improvement in one or more other material properties, such as ultimate strength, unloading plateau strength, permanent set, ductility, and recoverable strain, for example. Wire manufactured in accordance with the present process is suitable for use in a medical device, or other high end application.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide systems, methods, apparatuses, and applications related to annealing nuclear fission reactor materials.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments provide systems, methods, apparatuses, and applications related to annealing nuclear fission reactor materials.

Abstract: In the press hardening process when a blank is formed and cooled in cooled tools (30,31), the tools are used as a fixture during the hardening. The tools have alternately contact surfaces (33,34) and clearances (35) in a certain area against the formed product (20-24) and the contact surfaces have an area that is less than 20% of the area. As a result, this area will be a soft zone (11) of the final product and the zone will have good dimensional accuracy.

Abstract: A modular air fluidized sand bed for the heat treatment of metal products is disclosed. This technology provides for the heat-treatment of steels, particularly long products, and other alloys and shapes using fluidized-sand heat transfer media. The technology directs gas burners into U-tube assemblies suspended in the media. The fluidizing agent is hot exhaust gas recovered from the U-tubes. Blended exhaust gases and cool air can maintain fluidizing gas, plenum and retort temperatures at nearly the same temperature as the sand. Constant volume and pressure of fluidizing gas maximizes heat transfer between sand and product. For extreme heating applications, a thermally insulated cover held in direct contact with the hot fluidized sand improves energy efficiency. A sand return system returns sand lost from the bed exit to entrance. The modular air fluidized sand bed includes a fluidization pressure and volume that are altered independent of a fluidization media temperature.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing an ytterbium sputtering target, wherein an ytterbium target material having Vickers hardness (Hv) of the material surface of 15 or more and 40 or less is prepared in advance, and a surface of the ytterbium target material having the foregoing surface hardness is subject to final finish processing by way of machining. With the ytterbium sputtering target, present invention aims to remarkably reduce the irregularities (gouges) on the target surface after the final finish processing of the target material, and to inhibit the generation of particles during sputtering.

Abstract: A single crystal component comprising a first region and a second region. The component comprising a nickel base single crystal superalloy having a gamma phase matrix and gamma prime phase precipitates distributed in the gamma phase matrix. The first region of the component comprises a bi-modal distribution of gamma prime phase precipitates in the gamma phase matrix and the second region of the component comprising a uni-modal distribution of gamma prime phase precipitates in the gamma phase matrix.

Abstract: The sputtering target made of a Ag—Bi-base alloy contains Bi in solid solution with Ag. The sputtering target has an intensity of precipitated Bi of 0.01 at %?1 or less, as calculated by the following mathematical expression (1) based on analysis results of X-ray diffraction, and/or a sum of area ratios of predetermined intensities (third to sixth intensities in 8 intensities) of 89 % or more, wherein the area ratios are obtained by calculating a planar distribution of characteristic X-ray intensities of Bi according to X-ray microanalysis: intensity of precipitated Bi=[IBi(102)/IAg(111)+IAg(200)+IAg(220)+IAg(311))]/[Bi]. Remarkable lowering of the yield of Bi content in resultant films can be suppressed by using the sputtering target.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.

Abstract: A method of weld repairing a superalloy material at ambient temperatures without causing cracking of the base material. A superalloy material such as CM-247 LC, as is commonly used in gas turbine blade applications, is subjected to an overage pre-weld heat treatment in order to grow the volume percentage of gamma prime precipitate in the material to a level sufficient to permit ambient temperature welding without cracking. CM-247 LC material is heated in a vacuum furnace at a rate of about 0.5° C. per minute to an intermediate temperature of about 885° C. The material is then gas fan quenched to a temperature of about 52° C. to grow the gamma prime precipitate percentage to about 55%. A fusion repair weld may then be performed on the material at an ambient temperature using a filler material having a chemistry matching a chemistry of the base material.

Abstract: Provided is a method for heat treating a precipitation-hardened article having a thick section and a thin section so that the thin section can be solution annealed while the metallurgical structure of the thick section is substantially unaffected by the solution-annealing process. The method restores the microstructure of the thin section uniformly by solution annealing the thin section to achieve a preselected microstructure but without affecting the microstructure of the thick section.

Abstract: A method of stress relieving drilled surgical needles is disclosed. At least the metal about a drilled bore hole is heat treated to relieve stress without annealing.

Abstract: A cooling unit, a heating-cooling operation including a cooling unit, a rod or wire manufacturing system, a method for manufacturing a rod or wire, a method for heat treating of a rod or wire, a method for treating metal, a steel rod or steel wire, and a treated metal having an improved tensile strength are disclosed. The cooling unit includes at least one adaptable quenching zone and at least one adaptable soaking zone. The at least one adaptable quenching zone is capable of quenching to a soaking temperature. The at least one adaptable soaking zone is capable of maintaining substantially the soak temperature.

Abstract: The invention concerns in particular a method for purifying an input mixture comprising carbon dioxide (CO<SUB>2</SUB>) and carbon monoxide (CO), to eliminate the carbon monoxide contained in said mixture, which consists in contacting, at a temperature higher than room temperature, the input mixture with a purifying material comprising at least one metal oxide, so as to bring about the reduction of the purifying material by the input mixture, leading to oxidization of at least part of the CO of the input mixture into CO<SUB>2</SUB>. The invention also concerns a gaseous chilling method and installation integrating such a purifying operation.

Abstract: A raw magnesium alloy powder material having a relatively small crystal grain diameter is obtained by subjecting a starting material powder having a relatively large crystal grain diameter to a plastic working in which the powder is passed through a pair of rolls to undergo compressive deformation or shear deformation. The starting material powder is a magnesium alloy powder having a fine intermetallic compound (21) precipitated and dispersed in a base (22) by a heat treatment. A work strain (22) is formed around the precipitated intermetallic compound (21) in the magnesium alloy powder after processed by the plastic working. The magnesium alloy powder after processed by the plastic working has a maximum size of 10 mm or less and a minimum size of 0.1 mm or more, and the magnesium particle constituting the base (20) has a maximum crystal grain diameter of 20 ?m or less.

Abstract: A method for the production of mechanically highly stressed machinery components, with at least one pass-through opening, especially suction roll sleeves on paper machines, includes the material characteristics of the machinery component being altered with regard to an increase in the resistance against vibratory fissure corrosion on the machinery component in the localized area of the pass-through opening. A roll sleeve produced according to this method is also provided.

Abstract: The formation of amorphous porous bodies and in particular to a method of manufacturing such bodies from amorphous particulate materials. The method allows for the control of the volume fraction as well as the spatial and size distribution of gas-formed pores by control of the size distribution of the powder particulates. The method allows for the production of precursors of unlimited size, and because the softened state of the amorphous metals used in the method possesses visco-plastic properties, higher plastic deformations can be attained during consolidation as well as during expansion.

Abstract: A holder having a baseplate with a tang extending rearwardly therefrom, a plurality of openings for receiving fasteners and a plurality of legs extending from the baseplate, the tang being heat treated or work hardened to harden the tang and facilitate its detachment for non-friable substrate applications. Work hardening may be accomplished, for example, by heating and quenching the tang to increase both its hardness and its brittleness to a level that allows the tang to be broken off with an impact force but not when inserted into a friable substrate so that the holder retains greater functionality.

Abstract: A method of providing resistance to intergranular stress corrosion cracking in an alloy material, the method comprising sensitizing the alloy to form carbides, allowing the carbides to precipitate, and applying a heat treatment to replenish a chromium-depleted zone.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to shape memory alloys which have been subjected to a thermal and mechanical treatment to increase the austenite start temperature As?As? such that the shape memory alloy is martensitic at body temperature and when subsequently subjected to a controlled deformation, the shape memory alloy preferentially reverts to the parent phase. One application for this disclosure is a stent for use in a lumen in a human or animal body having a generally tubular body formed from a shape memory alloy which has been subjected to a thermal and mechanical treatment so it deforms as martensite until a critical expansion diameter is reached at which point the tubular body rapidly reverts to the parent phase with much higher mechanical properties. The shape memory alloy comprises Ni—Ti and a ternary element ranging from about 3 at. % to about 20 at. %. The ternary element is effectively insoluble in a Ni—Ti matrix.