Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming an electrically insulating layer on a steel article such as a stack of electrical steel laminations or an individual, unstacked electrical steel lamination, comprising exposing the article to an oxidation atmosphere, and to a temperature (such as at least about 800° F.) for a time sufficient to form on the article an electrically insulating layer comprising hematite. The hematite layer is effective to provide the article with a surface resistivity characterized by an F-amp value of not greater than about 0.85 at a test pressure of 50 psi and a transfer surface roughness of about 10 microinches (Ra). Also featured is a steel article having the electrically insulating layer formed thereon.

Abstract: A method for treating a component made of a copper-based alloy containing lead. The component has Pb and Pb salts on a surface thereof. The method includes the step of etching the surface of the component selectively to remove almost entirely the Pb and Pb salts from the surface. The etching includes treating the surface with an acidic aqueous solution that is a) a non-oxidizing acidic aqueous solution of an acid capable of forming soluble Pb salts or b) an oxidizing acidic aqueous solution of an organic acid mixed with peroxide. The method also includes the step of passivating the etched surface whereby to inhibit release of any Pb or Pb salts remaining in the component when the passivated surface is in contact with water.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming an electrically insulating layer on a steel article such as a stack of electrical steel laminations or an individual, unstacked electrical steel lamination, comprising exposing the article to an oxidation atmosphere, and to a temperature (such as at least about 800° F.) for a time sufficient to form on the article an electrically insulating layer comprising hematite. The hematite layer is effective to provide the article with a surface resistivity characterized by an F-amp value of not greater than about 0.85 at a test pressure of 50 psi and a transfer surface roughness of about 10 micro inches (Ra). Also featured is a steel article having the electrically insulating layer formed thereon.

Abstract: A process for altering surface properties of a mass of metal alloy solder comprising a first metal and a second metal. The process comprises exposing the mass to energized ions to preferentially sputter atoms of the first metal to form a surface layer ratio of first metal to second metal atoms that is less than the bulk ratio. The solder may be located on the surface of a substrate, wherein the process may further comprise masking the substrate to shield all but a selected area from the ion beam. The sputtering gas may comprises a reactive gas such as oxygen and the substrate may be an organic substrate. The process may further comprise simultaneously exposing the organic substrate to energized ions of the reactive gas to roughen the organic substrate surface.

Abstract: A coil spring made of an oil-tempered steel wire with internal hardness of more than Hv 550 in cross-section, the surface hardness of the oil-tempered steel wire being determined in an extent between Hv 420 in a minimum value and hardness defined by subtraction of Hv 50 from the internal hardness in a maximum value.

Abstract: An electromagnetically stable Nb.sub.3 Al multifilamentary superconducting wire having a high current density at a high level of magnetic field such as 20 tesla is provided by cold drawing a composite multicore consisting of a large number of Al or Al alloy core and a Nb matrix into a multifilamentary wire, and then dipping the multifilamentary wire into a molten metal bath to coating the periphery of the wire with the molten metal for providing electromagnetically stabilizing the wire. The molten metal bath is provided within an inert gas sealing chamber.

Abstract: A superalloy article has a nickel-based superalloy substrate containing TCP-phase forming elements such as rhenium, chromium, tantalum and tungsten. A carbide precipitate-containing region is formed within the substrate extending to a carbide depth below a surface of the substrate, preferably by depositing carbon on the surface of the substrate and diffusing the carbon into the substrate. An aluminum-rich diffusion layer extends from the surface of the substrate to an aluminide depth below the surface of the substrate. Preferably, the carbide depth is about the same as the aluminide depth. The presence of the carbide precipitates inhibits the formation of the deleterious TCP-phase.

Abstract: A method for producing a metallic interface suitable for overlaying consists of exposing the area of an alloy combination to be overlayed to a temperature above its lower critical until an element reduced zone arises. This element reduced zone more easily accepts element diffusion that takes place during overlaying. Accordingly, an improved interface, one that is more ductile and less prone to cracking, is produced.

Abstract: This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/218695, filed Aug. 8, 1988. This invention describes a series of Fe-Mn-Al-C based corrosion resistance alloys. It also describes how to obtain such alloys which has comparable good corrosion resistance in many environments to conventional stainless steel as 304 and 430. The correlation of chemical compositions among the manganese, aluminum, carbon and other minor elements ae discussed. Therefore they are made to be practical and more definitive. According to more advanced understanding in overall of the Fe-Mn-Al-C based alloys that are included in this invention have to be surface treated and/or pickled, passivated by the methods included in this invention. After the surface treatments, the final products will have an obviously comparable depleted manganese and/or higher chromium on the alloy surface and will have better corrosion resistance than the conventional Fe-Mn-Al-C and Fe-Mn-Al-C-Cr based alloys.

Abstract: A superconducting wire containing a multifilamentary superconducting alloy, comprising at least one composite containing a first matrix in which a plurality of superconducting alloy filaments have been arranged and a second matrix in which at least one composite is embedded; wherein said first matrix consists essentially of a metal or an alloy which does not form any intermetallic compound with the superconducting alloy filament. As the superconducting alloy filament, a Nb-Ti alloy filament may preferably be selected; the first matrix may preferably consist of one selected from the group of Nb, Ta and a Nb-Ta alloy; and the second matrix may preferably consist of Cu, A Cu-Ni alloy, Al, or an Al alloy.

Abstract: A magnesium-treated, decarburizingly-annealed cast iron material includes 4% or less carbon by weight, 2% or less silicon by weight, at least 0.010% magnesium by weight, and at least 0.001% sulphur by weight, the remainder being iron. The cast iron material is subjected to a first annealing phase in which graphitic carbon portions are formed. Thereafter, the cast iron material undergoes a second annealing phase during which certain of the graphitic carbon portions are burned out. The resultant structure includes cavities in place of certain of the graphitic carbon portions in a substantially ferritic matrix. The resultant cast iron material exhibits good welding and cutting properties with little susceptibility to hard cracking.