Abstract: A bearing component formed from a bearing steel, wherein the component has an outer surface and comprises through-hardened bainite and/or martensite and has a substantially homogeneous chemical composition, at least a part of the bearing component having a compressive residual stress profile comprising ?25 to ?1000 MPa at the near surface, wherein the near surface is defined as a region 500 microns or less below the outer surface.

Abstract: A method for strengthening a surface of a metal member. The method includes the following steps in the sequence set forth: (a) coating the surface of the metal member with a carbon-based film having a thickness of not smaller than 0.2 ?m; and (b) repeatedly applying a pressing force onto the surface of the film-coated metal member in a condition of maintaining a contact pressure of not lower than 2.5 GPa at the surface of the film-coated metal member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fine grain surface layer steel part having a high proof strength ratio equal to or higher than that of conventional quenched and tempered materials, that is, a fine grain surface layer steel part containing, by mass %, C: 0.45% to 0.70%, Nb: 0.01% to 0.60%, Si: 0.10% to 1.50%, Mn: 0.40% to 2.0%, P: 0.10% or less, S: 0.001% to 0.15%, and N: 0.003% to 0.025% and having a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, where the surface layer and inside at all or part of the part have structures of different average particle sizes of ferrite crystal grains surrounded by high angle grain boundaries of a misorientation angle of 15 degrees or more and a method of production of that part comprising warm forging locations where strength is required to a predetermined shape at 1000° C. to 800° C. during which working so as to give an equivalent strain of 1.5 or more.

Abstract: A hot forged product including hardened areas introduced by partial cooling after hot forging, and unhardened areas, wherein Vickers hardness V1 of the hardened areas on the surface and Vickers hardness V2 of the unhardened areas satisfy the following formula (1): (V1?V2)/V2: 0.1 to 0.8.

Abstract: The present invention: provides a good-workability and high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet excellent in post-painting corrosion resistance to the extent of securing excellent resistance to salt warm water immersion which is a good-workability and high-strength cold-rolled steel sheet excellent in post-painting corrosion resistance characterized in that: said steel sheet contains, in mass, 0.16 to 0.19% C, 1.10 to 1.30% Si, 1.50 to 1.60% Mn, not more than 0.1% P and 0.015 to 0.050% Al, with the balance consisting of Fe and unavoidable impurities; the average of the amount of Si incrassating on the surface of said steel sheet is not more than 20 times the Si concentration in said steel sheet; and the area percentage of the portions where the ratio of the Si concentration on the surface of said steel sheet to the Si concentration in said steel sheet is not less than 10 is not more than 95%.

Abstract: Methods of selectively treating linear elastic materials to produce localized areas of superelasticity and/or shape-memory are disclosed. In an illustrative method, a linear elastic workpiece may be formed into a particular shape by cold-forming or other low-temperature process, and incorporated into a medical device such as an embolic protection filter, vena cava filter, stent or guidewire. A heat source may be used to apply thermal energy to selective areas of the workpiece, imparting superelasticity to the material.

Abstract: Metallic workpieces of diverse shapes having work surfaces which are deformed at the surface and adjacent sub-surface layers by surface impact from ultrasonic transducers employing freely axially moving impacting elements propelled and energized by a transducer oscillating surface vibrating periodically at an ultrasonic frequency. The impacting elements are propelled in a random aperiodic and controlled impact mode at different phases of the periodic oscillation cycles. The transducer may be portable and provides a series of mechanically interconnected stages having mechanical resonances harmonically related as a multiple of the primary ultrasonic frequency and have matched stage resistances under instantaneous loading when the impact elements are driven by the transducer oscillating surface into the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A shaped metal casting made in an aggregate mold comprises fine solidification microstructure that is finer than the solidification microstructure of an analogous metal casting made from conventional molding processes. The solidification microstructure may be up to five times finer than the solidification microstructure of a conventionally prepared casting. In preferred embodiments, as a result of directional solidification, the fine solidification microstructure is substantially continuous from a distal end of the casting to a proximal end of the casting, and exhibits greatly enhanced soundness. Because of the control of the uniformity of freezing of the casting, its properties are substantially uniform.

Abstract: Implantable medical endoprostheses, such as stents, are disclosed.

Abstract: A hardenable steel workpiece having two regions is first hardened so that both regions are of generally the same low ductility. Then only one of the regions is hot coated so as to increase the ductility of the one region while not heating and changing the ductility of the other region. The workpiece can be hardened by hot working or tempering. The hot coating can be done by dipping the one region in molten zinc.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved structural assembly constructed of a plurality of structural members secured together. At least one of the plurality of structural members defines a first region characterized by comparatively high operational stress and a second region having a locally refined grain structure positioned such that the second region at least partially encompasses the first region to thereby enhance the strength, toughness and fatigue resistance of the at least one structural member in the first region. The present invention also provides a method for selectively improving the strength, toughness and fatigue resistance of a structural member in a region of high operational stress including the steps of casting the structural member in a pre-selected configuration. Regions of the structural member having comparatively high operational stress are identified. The structural member is secured to prevent movement.

Abstract: An extruded structural member having improved damage tolerance containing a base section (6); a stiffening section having at least one pair of structural stiffeners (10), the structural stiffeners integral with the base section (6) and projecting outwardly thereof; and at least one intra-stiffener (90) area positioned between the pair of structural stiffeners (10), the intra-stiffener area (90) having a microstructure with intentionally increased amounts of fiber texture to reduce the rate of fatigue crack growth in the extruded structural member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of galvannealed metal sheet, wherein a hot strip is produced from an IF steel containing 0.01 to 0.1 wt. % silicon, wherein the hot strip is coiled at a coiler temperature no lower than 700° C. and no higher than 750° C., wherein a cold strip is rolled from the coiled hot strip, wherein the cold strip is recrystallization-annealed in an annealing furnace in an annealing gas atmosphere, wherein the cold strip thus annealed is provided with a zinc coating in a zinc bath, and wherein the coated cold strip is post-annealed at a galvannealing temperature no lower than 500° C. and no higher than 540° C. The invention also relates to a galvannealed metal sheet which possesses improved adhesion of the coating layer to the base material and proposes a method which is suited for the manufacture of metal sheet having such properties.

Abstract: A surface processing method and power transmission component includes refining a surface region of a metal from a first roughness to a second roughness less than the first roughness. A solid lubricous coating or a hard coating is then deposited on the surface region. The metal has a surface hardness above 50 Rc to reduce the risk that the metal will deform under the coating and leave the coating unsupported. The surface region of the metal may be transformed into a nitrogen-containing compound or solid solution surface region before the surface refining step and deposition of the coating.

Abstract: A drive pulley for elevators, with at least two sectors, wherein at least one sector is hardened and at least one sector is not hardened.

Abstract: A vehicle structural beam, such as a door intrusion beam, which possesses an elongate tubular beam part which at opposite ends is provided with mounting flanges for securement to a vehicle frame. The elongate tubular beam part and the flanges provided at opposite ends are defined by an integral, one-piece, monolithic steel structure which has been initially roll-formed from an elongate flat metal sheet to define the closed tubular structure of the tubular beam part, and which has been subjected to heating and quenching so that the elongate tubular beam part is of relatively high strength steel throughout its entire length, whereas the integrally and monolithically joined end flanges remain as lower strength steel which has been significantly unaffected by the heat treatment and quenching so as to permit appropriate shaping thereof and ease of welding to the vehicle frame.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a product (1, 15) from steel, in which a steel with a metastable first phase in which the steel has first properties is manufactured and, by mechanical influences, is transformed into a second, thermodynamically more stable phase with second properties which are at least partly different from the first properties, and, for adapting the product to particular applications, the product (1, 15) is manufactured locally differently by modification with regard to said phases with different properties. A product according to the invention therefore has, over its surface and/or its thickness, at least two differently adapted areas (10, 11) with different properties of the steel.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting metal dusting corrosion of surfaces exposed to supersaturated carbon environments comprising constructing said surfaces of, or coating said surfaces with a copper based alloy. The invention is also directed to a composition resistant to metal dusting.

Abstract: An ablative tape is applied onto a substrate surface. The ablative tape comprises an ablative medium comprising a polymer and dispersed metallic component. The tape is then irradiated to ablate the ablative medium. An article comprises a substrate and the ablative tape applied to the substrate.

Abstract: The power transmission shaft 12 is made by applying induction hardening to carbon steel with hardening ratio in a range from 0.25 to 0.50. For the carbon steel, one containing 0.39 to 0.49% of C, 0.4 to 1.5% of Si, 0.4 to 1.0% of Mn, 0.025% or less S, 0.02% or less P and 0.01 to 0.1% of Al by weight as the basic components, with the rest comprising Fe and inevitable impurities is used. This makes it possible to achieve higher strength and lighter weight of the power transmission shaft.

Abstract: A sintered sprocket is provided in which surface pressure resistance can be improved without using a forging processing. An Fe-based sintered alloy which contains C at 0.2 to 0.5% by weight, Mo at 0.2 to 1.0% by weight, and Ni at 0.2 to 1.0% by weight, and which exhibits a metallic structure in which an internal base layer comprises ferrite and bainite and in which the ferrite adjoins voids, is subjected to a rolling and is then subjected to carburizing and hardening.

Abstract: A heat treatment assembly and heat treatment methods are disclosed for producing different microstructures in the bore and rim portions of nickel-based superalloy disks, particularly suited for gas turbine applications. The heat treatment assembly is capable of being removed from the furnace and disassembled to allow rapid fan or oil quenching of the disk. For solutioning heat treatments of the disk, temperatures higher than that of this solvus temperature of the disk are used to produce coarse grains in the rim of each disk so as to give maximum creep and dwell crack resistance at the rim service temperature. At the same time, solution temperature lower than the solvus temperature of the disk are provided to produce fine grain in the bore of the disk so as to give maximum strength and low cycle fatigue resistance.

Abstract: A ferritic heat-resisting steel that shows a slight decrease in creep strength at the heat affected zone of the welded joint. The steel is characterized by consisting of, by mass %, C: less than 0.05%, Si: not more than 1.0%, Mn: not more than 2.0%, P: not more than 0.030%, S: not more than 0.015%, Cr: 7-14%, V: 0.05-0.40%, Nb: 0.01-0.10%, N: not less than 0.001% but less than 0.050%, sol. Al: not more than 0.010%, and O (oxygen): not more than 0.010%, with the balance being Fe and impurities, and further characterized in that the density of carbide and carbonitride precipitates contained with a grain diameter of not less than 0.3 &mgr;m is not more than 1×106/mm2. This steel may further contain one or more of the following elements: a total of 0.1-5.0% of Mo and W; a total of 0.02-5.00% of Cu, Ni and Co; a total of 0.01-0.20 of Ta, Hf, Nd and Ti; a total of 0.0005-0.0100% of Ca and Mg; and 0.0005-0.0100% of B.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy plate for a planographic printing plate capable of being provided with a satisfactory roughed surface by electrolytic etching. The aluminum alloy plate contains 0.1 to 0.6% of Fe, 0.01 to 0.2% of Si, 5 to 150 ppm of Cu, and balance of Al and unavoidable impurities and has a surface layer portion formed of a metastable phase dispersion layer in which metastable phase AlFe-based intermetallic compound particles are dispersed. The metastable intermetallic compound particles each act as a starting point for pits. The alloy plate is formed with a roughed surface which is reduced in unetching and uniformly formed with pits, by electrolytic etching.

Abstract: A B-column comprises a component of a car body for a motor vehicle. The B-column constitutes a longitudinal steel profile. The invention provides that the longitudinal profile has a first longitudinal portion comprised of a martensitic material structure and a strength of more than 1400 N/mm2 and has a second longitudinal portion of higher ductility with a predominantly ferritic-perlitic material structure and a strength of below 850 N/mm2. The lower longitudinal portion is wider then the upper longitudinal portion and has an elongation at rupture which is below 25%.

Abstract: A method of laser shock peening a metallic part by firing a laser on a coated laser shock peening surface of the part which has been covered with an explosive coating containing at least one explosive ingredient. Two or more explosive ingredients having different shock sensitivities may be used and the laser beam is fired with sufficient power to explode at least some amount of each of the explosive ingredients.

Abstract: Valve metal articles such as wire, sheet or powder having a second metal, preferably in a peripheral margin, prepared by coating the valve metal with a salt solution of the metal additive and heat treating in the presence of an oxygen getter to remove the oxygen from the valve metal and the anion of the metal salt to form the metal additive. For tantalum wire a preferred second metal is nickel. A preferred oxygen getter is magnesium. Nickel-containing tantalum wire is useful for enhance bonding to sintered pressed tantalum powder pellets in the production of electrolytic capacitors.

Abstract: A process for producing wear-resistant edge layers in precipitation-hardenable materials wherein a component that was conventionally solution annealed and subsequently subjected to a conventional aging heat treatment is subjected to another short-time solution annealing affecting only the edge layer of the component, whereafter another aging heat treatment that evenly includes the interior of the component and its edge layer is carried out.

Abstract: A turbine disk for a gas turbine engine differentially heat treated so as to produce a dual property disk. The process is applicable to superalloy disks, and achieves substantially uniform yet different temperatures in the rim and hub of the disk during heat treatment, so as to attain specific and different properties for the rim and hub. The process includes the steps of heat treating the entire disk to achieve a uniform structure having a fine grain size and fine precipitates. A device for heating the rim of the disk is then disposed at the disk's periphery, such that the rim is maintained at a substantially uniform temperature above the gamma prime solvus temperature of the superalloy so as to dissolve gamma prime precipitates present in the rim and cause grain growth in the rim.

Abstract: The high tension steel sheet includes 0.1 wt % or more of silicon and has a zinc-plating layer thereon. When sputtering analysis is performed in the depth direction from the surface of the high tension steel sheet after the zinc-comprising-plating layer is removed by dissolution, a surface-concentrated Si index X defined by the formula, X=(the maximum intensity A of Si on the surface of the high tension steel sheet/the average intensity B of Si in the steel)×the content of Si in the steel sheet on a wt % basis, is 12 or less.

Abstract: A refractory metal intermetallic composition comprising titanium (Ti), hafnium (Hf), silicon (Si), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), iron (Fe), and a balance of niobium (Nb) for use in composite structures having applications in turbine components.

Abstract: The invention concerns a wear-resistant camshaft and a method of producing the same. Objects in which the application of the invention is possible and useful are all cast-iron parts which are subject to wear as a result of lubricated friction. The wear-resistant camshaft consists of cast-iron and it has a surface layer consisting of a ledeburitic remelted layer with a high cementite portion, and, lying thereunder, a martensitic hardening zone, whereby according to the invention. a. the remelted layer consists of finely dispersed ledeburitic cementite with thicknesses of ≦1 &mgr;m and a metallic matrix of a phase mixture of martensite and/or bainite, residual austenite, as well as less than 20% finely laminated pearlite with a distance of ≦0.1 &mgr;m between the lamelias, and b. the hardening layer is formed from a phase mixture of martensite and/or bainite, partially dissolved pearlite, and residual austenite.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved structural assembly constructed of a plurality of structural members secured together. At least one of the plurality of structural members defines a first region characterized by comparatively high operational stress and a second region having a locally refined grain structure positioned such that the second region at least partially encompasses the first region to thereby enhance the strength, toughness and fatigue resistance of the at least one structural member in the first region. The present invention also provides a method for selectively improving the strength, toughness and fatigue resistance of a structural member in a region of high operational stress including the steps of casting the structural member in a pre-selected configuration. Regions of the structural member having comparatively high operational stress are identified. The structural member is secured to prevent movement.

Abstract: In a heat treatment method for producing boundary layer-hardened long products and flat products of unalloyed or low-alloy steel, the workpiece is cooled for producing a martensitic grain within a boundary layer of the workpiece by repeating several sequential cooling process steps. Each sequential cooling process step has a cooling phase, in which the workpiece is cooled to a temperature below a martensite starting temperature for martensitic conversion of only a portion of the boundary layer of the workpiece, and a temporal stress-relief phase for relieving stress within already formed martensitic grain areas and already formed martensite/austenite boundary areas. Subsequently, the workpiece is cooled at a cooling rate below a lower critical cooling rate for cooling the workpiece core.

Abstract: A process for the production of sliding elements in which an overlay of lead-tin-copper is applied by electroplating to the prefabricated semi-finished product, and in which a ternary, fluoroborate-free electroplating bath is used without brighteners and with the addition of non-ionic wetting agents and free alkyl sulfonic acid. After the deposition of the galvanic overlay a heat treatment is carried out in the temperature range of 150° C. to 200° C. for between 1 and 100 hours. The multilayer material for sliding elements comprises at least a backing and an overlay of 12 to 16 wt. % tin and 7 to 11 wt. % copper, the rest being lead. The overlay comprises 15 to 25 wt. % particles of intermetallic compound Cu6Sn5.

Abstract: Disclosed is an elongated metallic article having a curved section therein which has a first part formed on an outside part of the curved section, and a second part formed on an inside part of the curved section. The first part was initially deformed beyond a region of twin boundary deformation, but was thereafter returned to the region of twin boundary deformation. The second part was left deformed beyond the region of twin boundary deformation. When a compressive load is applied to the thus prepared article, and the first part and the second part are both compressed, the first part can deform more readily than the second part so that the article deforms into a more straight shape as its deformation progresses. Thus, the article may be made resistant to buckling in spite of the presence of the curved section.

Abstract: Simplified heat-treatment in making aluminum alloys castings of the type improved by aging, especially for automotive engine cylinder heads and motor blocks. The castings, after solidification and extraction from their molds, each have an end product (workpiece) portion and a riser portion (the latter being ultimately cut off as waste). The workpiece portion of the casting is selectively quenched from solution temperatures down to about 120° C. by spraying water or other appropriate liquid preferably as a gas driven mist onto the surfaces of the workpiece while maintaining the riser portion of the casting essentially unsprayed at relatively significantly higher temperatures. After the quench, the residual reservoir of heat thus retained by said riser portion, by internal heat conduction, reheats the workpiece portion and maintains such workpiece portion for an effective time period within the temperature range for artificial aging, thus obviating any need for the aging furnace used by the prior art.

Abstract: A bimetallic strip for a sliding bearing having a sliding strip of an aluminum alloy which is adhered to a steel supporting strip and method of manufacture. The composition of the sliding strip is from 3 to 30% of tin; from 1 to 6% of silicon and the remainder being of aluminum and impurities, and the sliding strip has at least 95% of the silicon hard particles smaller than 3.5 microns and an aluminum grain average size of about 6 microns. The sliding strip is produced by roll casting the alloy and attaching the sliding strip to the steel supporting strip to form the bimetallic strip which is heat treated between 200° and 380° C. to obtain a metallurgical bonding between the strips; subjecting the bimetallic strip to a solubilizing process of the intermetallic compounds of the aluminum alloy by heating at 380-500° C., followed by cooling; and subjecting the bimetallic strip to a precipitation treatment at a temperature from 150° to 250° C.

Abstract: A method for producing titanium alloy turbine blades comprising the steps of (a) forming turbine blades of titanium alloy through hot forging or machining, (b) cooling leading edges on tip portions of the turbine blades including covers thereof formed through hot forging or machining faster than blade main body after final hot forging or solid solution treatment, and (c) heat treating the cooled turbine blades. With this method, it is possible to manufacture titanium turbine blades in an economical fashion and obtain titanium alloy turbine blades superior in reliability by preventing erosion.

Abstract: A grinding rod chemistry enhances wearability and durability of a steel rod and comprises levels of carbon to achieve a surface hardness in excess of 55 Rockwell C and levels of chromium which achieve significant depth in the formed outer martensite shell. The grinding rod has a core greater than 99% pearlite with a hardness less than 45 Rockwell C and the end portions of the rod are soft and have a hardness less than 35 Rockwell C. The steel bar of the selected chemistry is treated by reheating to above its austenitising temperature, transferring with minimal cooling to an open tubular quench vessel while securing the bar in the vessel to minimize bar warping, introducing quench water into the inlet end of the vessel and passing the liquid through the vessel to ensure uniform heat removal. The outer martensite shell is tempered by allowing the bar to soak back after quenching.

Abstract: In a reinforcing component made from austenitic iron which is bonded intermetallically with an engine component made from an aluminium-base alloy, in particular a piston, the aim is to improve the strength of the bond irrespective of the graphite configuration in the base material. For that purpose, the structure at least on areas of the reinforcing component surface in the vicinity of the intermetallic bond is austenitic-ledeburitic.

Abstract: Induction hardening of heat treated gear teeth which includes the steps of rough and finish cutting the gear teeth, or alternatively cutting the gear teeth to their final configuration utilizing a one cut method, carburizing the gear and in particular, the gear teeth, slow cooling, or alternatively drawing back the gear so the gear teeth are not hard, and induction hardening the gear teeth heating only the surface of the gear teeth. This results in improved strength for the gear teeth as a result of increased residual compressive stresses therein. Induction heating of only the surface of the gear teeth results in an relatively low case depth in the root of the gear teeth.

Abstract: A harden screw form and methods of making same for use with, for example, positive displacement rotary axial screw pumps are disclosed. The methods include the use of a CNC machine with a laser and a special, newly developed optic for selectively hardening the contact areas of screw forms, such as for example, rotors used in positive displacement rotary axial screw pumps such that the rotor undergoes only controllable or predictable distortion as a result of the hardening process. Hardened screw forms manufactured by the CNC/laser/optic process that are free of uncontrollable or unpredictable distortion are also disclosed.

Abstract: A grinding rod having a hardened outer shell of tempered martensite is adapted for use in heavy duty grinding environments. The rod is stress relieved to reduce internal compressive stresses in the tempered martensitic shell to less than 60 ksi and greater than 15 ksi. Such stress relieve stabilizes the rod against break-up as caused by the balancing tensile stresses in the pearlitic core exceeding tensile strength of the core.

Abstract: A process for heat treating a steel bar to produce a grinding rod having a softer core of at least 99% pearlite and having a hardness of less than 45 Rockwell C, an outer shell of martensite having a hardness of at least 50 Rockwell C and softer end portions having a hardness of less than 35 Rockwell C, where the softer end portions each having an engineered heat treated length less than 15 cm, comprises reheating a formed steel bar to above its austenitising temperature, transferring with minimal cooling the reheated bar to an open tubular quench vessel while securing the bar in the vessel to minimize bar warping in the vessel during quenching, introducing quench water into an inlet end of the vessel and passing the quench liquid along the vessel at high surface velocities exceeding 4 meters per second relative to bar surface to minimize thereby production of steam along the bar length and ensure uniform heat removal and removing quench water at an outlet end of the vessel, quenching the bar in the vessel fo

Abstract: A method of enhancing the strength of metals by affecting subsurface zones developed during the application of large sliding loads. Stresses which develop locally within the near surface zone can be many times larger than those predicted from the applied load and the friction coefficient. These stress concentrations arise from two sources: 1) asperity interactions and 2) local and momentary bonding between the two surfaces. By controlling these parameters more desirable strength characteristics can be developed in weaker metals to provide much greater strength to rival that of steel, for example.

Abstract: A method of producing a spheroidal graphite cast iron article containing at least one pearlite stabilizing element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Cu, Sn, Sb and Pb and having a double layer structure which comprises a surface layer portion and an inner portion. The surface layer portion has a matrix 60% or more of which is ferrite phase and a thickness of at least 0.5 mm. The inner portion has a matrix substantially comprising pearlite phase. The method comprises: (1) heat-treating a starting spheroidal graphite cast iron at a temperature which transforms a whole part of a matrix of the starting spheroidal graphite cast iron substantially to austenite phase; (2) slowly cooling the austenitized spheroidal graphite cast iron at a cooling rate (5.degree. to 20.degree. C./min) which allows in a subsequent step the surface layer portion to be ferritized before the inner portion starts to be pearlitized; (3) holding the cooled spheroidal graphite cast iron at a temperature (710.degree. to 770.degree. C.

Abstract: An iron casting, such as a cylinder block for an internal combustion engine, includes a number of component zones, with each of the zones having selected surface to volume ratio and selected section thickness sufficient to cause in-mold cooling during the casting process at controllable, but varying rates sufficient to result in predetermined, different percentages of nodular and compacted graphite iron in at least two of the zones of the cylinder block or other iron casting.

Abstract: A base plate for a suspension assembly in a hard disk drive wherein the base plate has a hardened flange and soft hub. The base plate is stamped in a progressive die in a sequence of forging and coining operations. The base plate is subsequently fully annealed to allow the material to yield at a low stress level so that the hub will create a press fit against the inner wall of an actuator arm boss hole. The base plate is passed through a secondary coining operation following the annealing step to work-harden the flange portion only. The result is a base plate with a flange portion that is hardened and a hub portion that is softer than the flange portion. The advantage is that the hardened flange is more resistant to deformation of a load beam welded thereto and the hub is more disposed to plastically deform and harden during swaging which is desirable for maintaining a press fit.

Abstract: A catheter guide wire is provided for guiding a catheter into a body cavity such as a blood vessel. The base material constituting the wire is made of an elastic alloy wire and subjected to a heat treatment such that its flexibility is sequentially increased from its proximal to distal end portions. A thermoplastic resin or/and a coil spring can be applied to at least the distal end portion of the wire base material. A method of manufacturing the catheter guide wire is also provided. The method is characterized in that the leading end side of the base material is divided into a plurality of areas and subjected to a heat treatment by changing the heat treatment temperature and the time conditions in units of the areas so that the flexibility of the base material is sequentially increased from the proximal to distal end portions of the leading end side.