Abstract: The present invention relates to metal-magnesium compounds, a process for preparing same and the use thereof, especially for the preparation of finely divided, possibly amorphous, metal and alloy powders and/or of intermetallic compounds, both procedures via a non-metallurgical route in organic solvents under mild conditions.

Abstract: A method for producing a high purity magnesium alloy is disclosed in which the alloying components are introduced in the molten state into molten magnesium. In accordance with the process of the invention, a predetermined amount of primary magnesium is heated and melted in a crucible. Predetermined amounts of desired alloying metals are selected and heated to their melting temperature in a separate crucible. The molten alloying metals are then introduced into the molten magnesium to substantially instantaneously alloy with the molten magnesium in a reaction raising the temperature of the melt. Elemental manganese when first alloyed with other alloying metals prior to its addition to the molten magnesium is found to consistently be more effective in reducing the iron impurity level of the melt to a level below 50 ppm.

Abstract: A process for forming cast, magnesium based alloy articles having reduced microshrinkage comprising the steps of forming a molten alloy consisting essentially of magnesium together with 4 to 10% by weight aluminum, 0 to 1% by weight manganese, and either 0 to 3% by weight zinc or 0 to 1% by weight silicon, adding to the molten alloy 0.01 to 2% by weight strontium, and molding the molten alloy and solidifying to form a cast alloy article.

Abstract: Intermetallic compounds and hydrides thereof, characterized in that they have been prepared by reacting hydrides of the elements of the main groups I, II, III and IV of the Periodic Table, magnesium hydridehalides or magnesium dialkyls having the general formula MgR.sub.2 (R=alkyl) in a solvent with bisallyl metal compounds of the metals of the subgroup VIII of the Periodic Table or of zinc or with the homologues of the bisallyl compounds of said metals, and processes for preparing said compounds.

Abstract: A method of preparing an active magnesium-hydride or magnesium hydrogen-storer system which can reversibly take up H.sub.2, comprising contacting finely divided magnesium hydride or metallic magnesium with a solution of a metal complex or of a metal-organic compound of a transition metal of Subgroups IV-VIII of the periodic table, and then removing the solution. The product performs better with regard to speed and efficiency upon repeated hydrogenation and dehydrogenation, as in hydrogen storage and evolution.

Abstract: Ternary metallic alloys of the formula Li.sub.x B.sub.y Mg.sub.z wherein 5.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.90, 0.05.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.90, 0.05.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.90, and x+y+z=1 and a method of preparing them. These alloys find use in areas where superlight weight, high specific strength (strength/weight ratio) and oxidation resistance are required.

Abstract: A novel alloy for use in lead refining is disclosed comprised substantially of magnesium and calcium. The preferred ratio on a weight basis of magnesium to calcium is between about 1.2:1 to about 3.0:1. A method of refining a lead bath with the novel alloy is disclosed which provides a high recovery ratio of impurities present therein.

Abstract: Cast magnesium alloy parts being substantially free of microporosity and having a fine grain size are produced by addition of strontium in an amount of 0.001 to 0.1%, by weight, to the melt of the magnesium alloy, prior to casting; the addition of strontium effects a reduction in the grain size and concentrates the shrinkage microporosity, whereby the microporosity can be shifted by conventional techniques to an appendix of the casting which is subsequently removed.

Abstract: In a fusion-metallurgical process of producing fine-grained hereogeneous, ductile alloys which contain Mg.sub.2 Si, the grain size of the Mg.sub.2 Si crystallites formed by primary solidification is kept below 30 .mu.m by doping the molten alloy with 0.05 to 2% by weight of phosphorus.

Abstract: Intermetallic compounds and hydrides thereof, characterized in that they have been prepared by reacting hydrides of the elements of the main groups I, II, III and IV of the Periodic Table, magnesium hydridehalides or magnesium dialkyls having the general formula MgR.sub.2 (R=alkyl) in a solvent with bisallyl metal compounds of the metals of the subgroup VIII of the Periodic Table or of zinc or with the homologues of the bisallyl compounds of said metals, and processes for preparing said compounds.

Abstract: A process for obtaining lithium-based thin sheets, generally used for the production of negative plates for accumulators. The thin sheets are formed by adding magnesium to a bath of molten lithium, transforming the alloy into a solid product in a form suitable for rolling, and rolling the solid product obtained by passing it between steel cylinders a plurality of times at ambient temperature to obtain thin sheets.

Abstract: The invention relates to high mechanical strength magnesium alloys and to a process for producing these alloys by fast solidification and consolidation by drawing generally exceeding 400 or 500 MPa, an elongation at break of generally at least 5% and a chemical composition by weight within the following limits:______________________________________ Aluminium 2-11% Zinc 0-12% Manganese 0-1% Calcium 0.5-7% Rare Earths 0.1-4% ______________________________________with the main impurities and the residue being magnesium, their structure being constituted by grains with a mean size below 3 .mu.m and intermetallic compounds with a size below 2 .mu.m precipitated at the grain boundaries.

Abstract: A novel alloy for use in lead refining is disclosed comprised substantially of magnesium and calcium. The preferred ratio on a weight basis of magnesium to calcium is between about 1.2:1 to about 5.2:1. A method of refining a lead bath with the novel alloy is disclosed which provides a high recovery ratio of impurities present therein.

Abstract: A Mg-Ti type alloy comprises 0.04 to 99.96% by weight of Ti and 99.96 to 0.04% by weight of Mg. The Mg-Ti type alloy is produced by compounding and mixing at least one of a powder of Ti and a powder of titanium hybride with a powder of Mg, so that the Ti composition in a sintered product may be in a range of 0.04 to 99.96% by weight; forming the resulting mixture into a predetermined shape, and sintering the formed material at a temperature in a range of from a solid phase point of Mg to a liquid phase point.

Abstract: A powdered material and a process for producing the material are disclosed. The powdered material consists essentially of light metal based spherical particles which are essentially free of elliptical shaped material and elongated particles having rounded ends. The process for making the spherical particles involves mechanically reducing the size of a starting material to produce a finer powder which is then entrained in a carrier gas and passed through a high temperature zone above the melting point of the finer powder to melt at least about 50% by weight of the powder and form spherical particles of the melted portion. The powder is directly solidified.

Abstract: A photoengraving article is provided formed of an essentially zinc-free magnesium-based alloy which also contains an amount of calcium effective to control lateral etching and improvement the sharpness of the resultant etched pattern. A method of forming a photoengraved article is also provided. The method comprises the steps of forming a photoengraving article from a photoengraving alloy and etching a pattern on the article in an etching bath. The improvement that comprises forming the photoengraving article from essentially zinc-free magnesium-based alloys containing an amount of calcium effective to control the lateral etching and improve the clarity of the resultant pattern. The article and method do not release zinc into the etching bath. Ultimate release of zinc into the environment is also reduced.

Abstract: A novel magnesium alloy consisting essentially of about 6 to 14 weight percent calcium, about 4 to 8 weight percent of copper or nickel, balance magnesium.There is also provided a process for producing a magnesium alloy article having improved properties which comprises the steps of providing a rapidly solidified product having the composition defined above and having a maximum average thickness of about 200 microns in at least one dimension, introducing the rapidly solidified product into a mold, and consolidating the rapidly solidified product to obtain a desired densification of the rapidly solidified product. Consolidation may be carried out by hot isostatic pressing (HIP'ing) the rapidly solidified product at a pressure of about 100 to 300 MPa and a temperature of about 150.degree. to 350.degree. C. for a time sufficient to obtain the desired densification. Alternatively, consolidation may be accomplished by extrusion using the same temperature range, and an extrusion ratio of about 10:1 to 30:1.

Abstract: A photoengraving article is provided formed of an essentially zinc-free magnesium-based alloy which also contains an amount of calcium effective to control lateral etching and improvement the sharpness of the resultant etched pattern. A method of forming a photoengraved article is also provided. The method comprises the steps of forming a photoengraving article from a photoengraving alloy and etching a pattern on the article in an etching bath. The improvement that comprises forming the photoengraving article from essentially zinc-free magnesium-based alloys containing an amount of calcium effective to control the lateral etching and improve the clarity of the resultant pattern. The article and method do not release zinc into the etching bath. Ultimate release of zinc into the environment is also reduced.

Abstract: The invention described herein is an apparatus and method for forming a wear-resistant metal composition. As a specific example, aluminum oxide powder is added to a magnesium alloy to provide a wear-resistant magnesium composition. The magnesium alloy, as the base metal, is placed in a crucible and melted with a burner positioned external to the crucible. A pump having a suction side and a discharge side is mounted on the crucible, with the pump head being suspended below the surface of the molten magnesium. The pump includes a feed tube connected to the suction side, and this tube has a suction opening therein which lies partly above and partly below the surface of the molten metal. The aluminum oxide is fed into the feed tube, and the suction action of the pump causes a vortex at the molten metal surface. The vortex pulls the molten magnesium through the suction opening where it mixes with the aluminum oxide powder.

Abstract: A composite material made of a matrix of a first metal and reinforcing first particles with average particle diameter less than or equal to about ten microns dispersed in the first metal matrix, with the reinforcing first particles each having a composite structure, being made up of a plurality of fine second particles of a ceramic made by reacting together a second metal and a gas and being combined with one another by a matrix of a third metal.