Abstract: Briquettes or tablets to be added to an aluminium melt, are made up by the combination of an agglutinated powder which include, at least, an aluminium powder, a powder of one or more metals or alloys including those to be added, and a wax-type organic compound, all in adequate proportions. This combination allows the increase of the dissolution velocity of the added metals, the recoveries of the added metal, a better stirring of the melting aluminium, and the reduction of impurities and of accumulated metal in the bottom of the furnace.

Abstract: A method for refining a titanium metal containing ore such as rutile or illmenite or mixtures to produce titanium ingots or titanium alloys and compounds of titanium involves production of titanium tetrachloride as a molten slag, by processing the ore in a chlorination procedure and removing various impurities by a distillation or other procedure to form a relatively pure titanium tetrachloride (TiCl.sub.4). Thereafter, the titanium tetrachloride is introduced into the plasma focal point of a plasma reactor in a molten sodium environment for the initial reduction of gas phase titanium into titanium molten drops which are collected by a set of skulls. Thereafter, further processing are carried out in higher vacuum and the titanium is heated by electron beam guns in order to maximize titanium purity and, in a final optional stage, alloying compounds are added under yet higher vacuum and high temperature conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to master alloy hardeners for use in preparing aluminum base alloys. The respective concentrations of the alloying elements in the master alloy hardener are a multiple equal to or greater than 2 of the concentrations of such elements in the base alloy, and the ratios of the alloying elements in the master alloy hardener to each other are the same as the ratios of the alloying elements in the base alloy. After the aluminum base alloy and the concentration of each alloying element therein are identified, a desired multiple of such concentrations is determined. An aluminum master alloy is prepared that contains the alloying elements at concentrations equivalent to such multiple of the corresponding concentrations of the elements in the base alloy. The master alloy hardeners are added to commercially pure aluminum to provide the desired base alloy.

Abstract: The invention relates to an inoculant for the manufacture of cast iron with lamellar, compacted or spheroidal graphite. The inoculant comprises between 40 and 80% by weight of silicon, between 0.5 and 10% by weight of calcium and/or strontium and/or barium, between 0 and 10% by weight of cerium and/or lanthanum, between 0 and 5% by weight of magnesium, less than 5% by weight of aluminium, between 0 and 10% by weight of manganese and/or titanium and/or zirconium, between 0.5 and 10% by weight of oxygen in the form of one or more metal oxides, the balance being iron, said inoculant further comprising between 0,1 and 10% by weight of sulphur in the form of one or more metal sulphides. The invention further relates to a method for the production of the inoculant.

Abstract: A method for processing solid waste incineration residues is disclosed in which the residues are introduced a steelworks slag bath in a sufficient amount so that the residues constitute from 15-45% by weight of the combined weight of the solid waste incineration residues and the steelworks slag bath. The residues are melted to effect the evaporation of heavy metals; which are drawn off from the steelworks slag bath to leave a heavy-metal-depleted slag bath. The residual bath is reduced with carbon carriers to form a slag phase and a pig iron phase. The slag phase can be granulated to produce mixed cement components.

Abstract: A method of making a light metal-rare earth metal alloy includes mixing a light metal powder, such as aluminum powder, with a finely divided rare earth metal-containing compound, such as scandium oxide, creating a billet by subjecting the mixture to cold isostatic compaction. The billet formed from the mixture of aluminum powder and rare earth metal-containing compound is preferably sintered at a temperature of about 600.degree. C. to 800.degree. C. and preferably about 640.degree. C. to 680.degree. C., and subsequently feeding the billet to a molten aluminum bath. This method facilitates conversion of in excess of 95% of the rare earth metal oxide to the aluminum-rare earth metal alloy. The rare earth metal may be scandium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing high purity chromium suitable for deposition onto a semiconductor wafer or other substrate by sputtering. The process increases productivity, expands melting capability and provides consistent high purity chromium by reducing contamination by the dissolution of crucible material. The present invention provides for the addition of chromium oxide (Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3) to control oxygen content in chromium thereby producing high purity chromium ingots and protecting the ceramic crucibles from chemical attack by the liquid chromium.

Abstract: A process for making iron, cobalt and/or nickel base alloys containing rhenium. The process involves melting together the components that form the alloys, at least one of the components being a rhenium master alloy having 30 to 70 wt % rhenium, then casting the resultant melt and allowing the melt to solidify. Possible difficulties such as the formation of rhenium heptoxide are avoided by using a master alloy containing (i) rhenium and (ii) iron, cobalt and/or nickel, instead of sintered rhenium as the rhenium source during the melting step.

Abstract: A process for making a crystalline solid-solution powder which involves reacting at least two reactants in a plasma arc of a plasma chamber and blast-cooling the resultant product in a high velocity gas stream to form the powder. The first reactant is a molten metal alloy and the second reactant is a gas. The reaction is carried out in a plasma arc and the products rapidly cooled by a gas stream acting at the outlet opening of the plasma chamber. The crystalline solid-solution powder formed by the process has a low electrical resistivity. If an indium-tin alloy is used as the first reactant and oxygen as the second reactant, there is obtained an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) crystalline solid-solution powder which, when compacted to 40% of its theoretical density, has an electrical resistivity in the range of about 2 .OMEGA.cm. This ITO crystalline solid-solution powder is particularly suitable for preparing an ITO target, with high electrical conductivity and thus high achievable sputtering rates.

Abstract: The residues arising from industrial processes and from waste disposal which are polluted with heavy metals and/or heavy metal compounds, are subjected to a two-stage reduction process with formation of re-usable metal-containing and silicon-containing alloys. In a first reduction stage, using carbon or carbon-generating means as the reduction means, the compounds of silicon and metals are reduced, which have a standard potential which is greater than that of silicon. Following separation of the reduced metals, the residue obtained, which contains aluminum in oxidized form, is subsequently converted to a salt melt and this salt melt is subjected to a second reduction stage of a fused salt electrolysis, yielding an aluminum and silicon melt. The process is particularly suitable for filter residues from waste incineration plants.

Abstract: In a process for producing pig iron, nonferrous heavy metal alloys, ferrochromium carbure or carbon-free ferrochromium and synthetic blast furnace slags, using metal-oxide-containing waste incineration residues or slags, the charging materials of waste burning, e.g., car shredder light fractions and/or metallurgical dusts, are at least partially oxidized and subsequently are reduced while separating nonferrous metals or alloys, whereupon the oxidic slag phase depleted from metals or alloys is mixed with liquid steelworks slag optionally upon further addition of metallurgical dusts, whereupon crude steel is drawn off while lowering the viscosity of the steelworks slag and the remaining slag portion is subjected to further reduction while recovering pig iron and optionally Fe chromium alloys, whereupon the resulting synthetic blast furnace slag is discharged.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for melting reactive metallic materials, such as for example titanium base alloys and other reactive alloys, by selective and sequential induction heating of a plurality of solid alloy charge components segregated in a refractory melting vessel in a manner to effect rapid top-to-bottom melting that avoids harmful reaction of the melt with refractory melting vessel material and contamination of the melt.

Abstract: A novel method for producing a ceramic phase particle dispersoid in metal and a novel product composed thereof. The method includes (a) providing a molten composition consisting essentially of molten aluminum alloy containing molten metal selected from the group consisting of Zr, V and combinations thereof, (b) providing a chloride salt containing fine carbon particles; and (c) reacting the chloride salt containing fine carbon particles in the molten aluminum metal with the molten metal to form a uniform distribution of finely sized carbide particles formed and dispersed in-situ in an aluminum alloy matrix.

Abstract: To provide a Cu-Cr alloy electrode material, a mixture of Cu and cr materials at a predetermined ratio is heated until the mixture has been entirely melted, and the molten metal obtained is quenched to precipitate fine Cr particles in a Cu base. Since Cr is melted into Cu before quenching, and then Cr precipitates, Cr particles finer than those in the sintering or infiltration method can disperse in a Cu base. This invention prevents defects such as voids in the structure and the weakening of the fusion of Cu and Cr or failure of Cr to precipitate into the Cu base caused by oxide films on the surface of the Cr particles, thereby providing a fine alloy structure.

Abstract: A method for reducing Carbon contained in hydrogen storage alloys recovered from negative electrodes of nickel/hydrogen storage alloy secondary batteries of misch metal and alloys thereof as raw materials of hydrogen storage alloys for negative electrodes of nickel/hydrogen secondary batteries by adding titanium or zirconium or oxides of these elements, and melting in an inert gas atmosphere or in vacuum.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of valuable materials from titanium grinding swarf is provided comprising the steps of sieving the accumulated titanium grinding swarf to remove unwanted coarse trash and grinding wheel fragments, pelletizing, and smelting in an electric arc furnace to produce ferrotitanium and/or high titanium slag.

Abstract: A fast quench reaction includes a reactor chamber having a high temperature heating means such as a plasma torch at its inlet and a means of rapidly expanding a reactant stream, such as a restrictive convergent-divergent nozzle at its outlet end. Metal halide reactants are injected into the reactor chamber. Reducing gas is added at different stages in the process to form a desired end product and prevent back reactions. The resulting heated gaseous stream is then rapidly cooled by expansion of the gaseous stream.

Abstract: A method of grain refining aluminum, the method comprising providing a molten aluminum body containing 1 to 3000 ppm titanium. A material reactive with the titanium is introduced preferably in gaseous form to the aluminum body. The material has a component selected from the group consisting of boron, carbon, sulfur, nitrogen and phosphorus. The material and said titanium form a grain refining compound adapted for grain refining the aluminum.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a method for the electrochemical preparation of metal colloids with particle sizes of less than 30 nm, characterized in that one or more metals of groups Ib, IIb, III, IV, V, VI, VIIb, VIII, lanthanoides, and/or actinoides of the periodic table are cathodically reduced in the presence of a stabilizer, optionally with a supporting electrolyte being added, in organic solvents or in solvent mixtures of organic solvents and/or water within a temperature range of between -78.degree. C. and +120.degree. C. to form metal colloidal solutions or redispersible metal colloid powders, optionally in the presence of inert substrates and/or soluble metal salts of the respective metals.The invention further relates to soluble or redispersible colloids as well as application on substrates and immobilization thereof, in particular for the preparation of catalysts.

Abstract: Solid and liquid phases coexist in a semi-molten casting material. A plurality of composite-solid phases having liquid and solid phase regions and a plurality of single-solid phases exist as the solid phases in a mixed state in an outer layer portion of the semi-molten casting material. If the sectional area of the solid phase region is represented by A, and the sectional area of the solid phase region is represented by B in one of the composite-solid phases, the liquid phase enclosure rate P of the composite-solid phase is defined as being represented by P={B/(A+B)}.times.100 (%). The liquid phase enclosure rate P of the single-solid phase is equal to 0 (%). When two groups are selected from a class of the solid phases, for example, by first and second straight lines so as to include a plurality of the solid phases, average values M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 of liquid phase enclosure rates of, for example, six solid phases in each of the first and second groups are represented by M.sub.1 =(P.sub.1 +P.sub.2 - - - +P.

Abstract: An inert gas bubble-actuated molten metal pump is located between one section of a metal-melting furnace and a second section to pump molten metal from the one section, wherein the molten metal is at a higher temperature, into the second section, wherein the molten metal is at a lower temperature, and its effluent is directed into contact with metal chips being charged into the second section, thereby assisting in the more rapid melting of the chips into the molten metal mass in the second section. The inert gas employed to actuate the molten metal pump is captured beneath a heat-resistant and flame-resistant cover located above the exit port of the pump and over a substantial portion of the molten metal mass in the second section, thereby providing a non-oxidizing atmosphere at the surface of the molten metal mass or pool beneath said cover.

Abstract: The brazing filler of the present invention is excellent in wetting properties towards the open end of a ceramic cylinder and a metal sealing cap can be sealed well on the open end. The present brazing filler comprises Ag, Cu and active metal, in which the Cu-active metal compound is contained in an amount of not more than 40% by volume.

Abstract: A control element for a magnetomechanical EAS marker is formed of an amorphous metalloid that has been annealed so as to be at least partially crystallized while remaining substantially flat. The annealing is preferably a two-stage process applied to induce semi-hard magnetic characteristics in an amorphous metallic material that is magnetically soft as cast. The two stages include a first stage in which the material is annealed for at least one hour at a temperature that is below a crystallization temperature of the material. The first stage results in a reduction in the volume of the material. The second stage is carried out at a temperature that is above the crystallization temperature and for a time sufficient to crystallize the bulk of the material and give it semi-hard magnetic properties. The two-stage annealing process prevents deformation of the material which has resulted from conventional crystallization processes.

Abstract: Rheocasting is effected by an apparatus that comprises a melt tank, a temperature-controllable stirrer that is immersed in a melt contained in the melt tank and can stir the melt, a screw conveyor apparatus that can draw off metal in a semi-solid state contained in the melt tank. Vertical melt separation grooves on the inside of the conveyor apparatus enable the semi-solid into a semi-solid having a viscosity that is not less than a prescribed viscosity value and a semi-solid having a viscosity that is less than the prescribed viscosity value.

Abstract: A method of recovering metals and producing a secondary slag from base metal smelter slag produced by a copper or nickel smelter includes mixing the smelter slag with at least one reducing agent selected from the group consisting of carbon, calcium carbide, ferrosilicon and aluminum, said carbon and calcium carbide (if present) being from about 1% to about 40% by weight of the slag and said aluminum (if present) being from about 2% to about 35% by weight of the slag and with from zero to about 70% calcium oxide by weight of the slag, heating the mixture aluminothermically if Al is present as reducing agent above the melting point to reduce the smelter slag to a metal alloy containing iron and possibly silicon and aluminum, depending on the quantity of aluminum added to the smelter slag, and heavy metals such as copper, nickel and cobalt which were in the smelter slag and thereby also producing a secondary slag containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of calcium silicate, calcium alu

Abstract: A method for the recovery of valuable materials from titanium grinding swarf is provided comprising the steps of sieving the accumulated titanium grinding swarf to remove unwanted coarse trash and grinding wheel fragments, pelletizing, and smelting in an electric arc furnace to produce ferrotitanium and/or high titanium slag.

Abstract: A method for working up refuse or metal-oxide-containing refuse incineration residues or metallurgical residues includes an at least partial oxidation in a meltdown oxidizing reactor followed by a two-stage reduction. The first reduction stage is effected in an iron bath reactor in which iron oxides are not yet reduced. In the second reduction stage also iron oxides are reduced in an iron bath calciner, a pig iron bath being obtained. The metal bath discharged from the iron bath reactor reaches a segregation mold, from which crude bronze can be drawn off.

Abstract: An method and apparatus is described for mixing solid particulates in a molten metal matrix to form a metal matrix composite product flow. The apparatus a refractory vessel to hold the metal matrix; a refractory conduit in communication with both the inlet and outlet of the refractory vessel so as to define a closed loop flow path. The inlet and outlet is spaced so as to encourage mixing within the vessel. A pump is provided to circulate the metal matrix to effect mixing. The apparatus and method further includes the metal matrix having a head with a vertical dimension in the excess of four times the cross sectional width of the conduit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing high-purity titanium from titanium sponge obtained by the Kroll process in which a core of the cylindrical lump of titanium sponge obtained with a weight less than 20-30% of that of the cylindrical lump is separated by cutting off from the lump a bottom portion, a top portion and a peripheral portion, and the core is cut by a press into grains of specific size, which are melted into ingot or refined by reaction with iodine. The high-purity titanium thus produced contains less than 300 ppm of oxygen and less than 10 ppm each of iron, nickel, chromium, aluminum and silicon, the balance being titanium and inevitable impurities; or less than 200 ppm of oxygen and less than 1 ppm each of iron, nickel, chromium, aluminum and silicon, the balance being titanium and inevitable impurities. Thus the invention provides titanium materials of very high purity suitable for thin film deposition as wiring of LSIs from titanium sponge obtained by the Kroll process.

Abstract: A method of separating vanadium from waste ash including generating a high temperature thermal plasma; contacting the waste ash with the high temperature thermal plasma in the presence of oxygen, thereby forming a layer of iron from iron and iron components contained within the waste ash and a layer of slag on top of the iron layer; causing vanadium contained within the waste ash to collect at an upper surface of the layer of iron and then react with the oxygen to form vanadium oxides and combine with the layer of slag; removing most of, but not all of, the layer of iron; stirring the layer of slag without addition of more of the oxygen; adding aluminum and carbon to the layer of slag; reducing or terminating power supplied to generate the high temperature thermal plasma; causing the aluminum to replace the vanadium in the vanadium oxides and causing the carbon to remove oxygen from iron oxides in the remaining portion of the layer of iron, whereby vanadium and iron combine to form a ferro-vanadium alloy.

Abstract: A semi-hard magnetic element is formed by at least partially crystallizing an amorphous soft iron-metalloid material. The heating process used to achieve crystallization includes a controlled oxidation stage to increase the level of remanent flux that is provided when the processed magnetic element is placed in a fully magnetized state.

Abstract: A process for recovering valuable components of a residue from a stream of used catalyst, discharged from a plant for the liquid-phase, homogeneously catalyzed oxidation of alkylaromatic compounds under pressure, to produce polycarboxylic aromatic acids. The residue containing mainly cobalt (Co) and manganese (Mn) compounds is injected into a molten metal bath in combination with enough oxygen gas to convert essentially all carbon in the residue mainly to CO. The residue may also be sludge from a pond in which the residue is stored. The Co content of the molten metal is determined by how much of the Mn in the residue is to be rejected from the molten metal. The Mn rejected is distributed between a slag overlying the molten metal and the effluent which leaves the bath. In the slag, the Mn is trapped as manganese oxide (MnO); in the effluent Mn leaves as manganese dibromide (MnBr.sub.2).

Abstract: A fast quench reaction includes a reactor chamber having a high temperature heating means such as a plasma torch at its inlet and a restrictive convergent-divergent nozzle at its outlet end. Reactants are injected into the reactor chamber. The resulting heated gaseous stream is then rapidly cooled by passage through the nozzle. This "freezes" the desired end product(s) in the heated equilibrium reaction stage.

Abstract: A method for producing biosorbents for adsorption of PCB's in which at least one proteinaceous material is contacted with a molar excess of at least one PCB congener mixture, forming a protein/PCB congener mixture. The protein/PCB congener mixture is dried after which the PCB congeners are extracted from the dried protein/PCB congener mixture forming a biosorbent in the form of an imprinted protein.

Abstract: An inert gas bubble-actuated molten metal pump is located in a metal-melting furnace to effect circulation of molten metal throughout the furnace. The inert gas employed to actuate the molten metal pump is captured beneath a heat-resistant and flame-resistant cover located above the exit port of the pump and over a substantial portion of the molten metal, thereby to prevent splashing, spattering, and disruption of a thin protective layer or skin of oxidized metal at the surface of the molten metal as well as to provide a non-oxidizing atmosphere at the surface of the molten metal beneath said cover. In this manner and by this combination, the inert gas is employed most efficiently and economically.

Abstract: Disclosed is a practical aluminum based alloy containing 1 to 99 weight percent beryllium, and improved methods of semi-solid processing of aluminum alloys containing beryllium. The present methods avoid molten beryllium, agitation of molten aluminum-beryllium alloys and the need for introducing shear forces by utilizing atomized or ground particles of beryllium mixed with solid, particulate or liquidus aluminum.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a Cu-Cr melt involves melting Cu-bearing alloy component in a melting vessel disposed in ambient air atmosphere, retaining Cr-bearing alloy component in an inverted ceramic crucible held submerged in the melted Cu-bearing alloy component, introducing inert gas into the melted Cu-bearing alloy component, and flowing the melted Cu-bearing alloy component in the melting vessel through openings in the submerged crucible to contact the Cr-bearing alloy component.

Abstract: In a process for the production of alloys from at least two alloy components (A, B, C, D, . . . ) with different melting points by melting in an inductively heated cold-walled crucible (1) with a cooled crucible base (3), in order to obtain an exact and homogeneous alloy composition at least a part of the alloy components (A, B, C, D, . . . ) are introduced into the cold-walled crucible (1) consecutively and in stacked fashion where eithera) the alloy component (a) in each case with the lower melting point is introduced first orb) the alloy component in each case with the lower density is introduced firstand following the introduction at least one of further alloy component the heating energy is switched on. The process serves preferably for the production of the intermetallic phase TiAl, where firstly the aluminium and then the titanium are stacked in the cold-walled crucible (1).

Abstract: Disclosed is a practical magnesium based alloy containing 1 to 99 weight % beryllium and an improved method of semi-solid processing of magnesium alloys containing beryllium. The present method avoids agitation of molten alloys and the need for introducing shear forces by utilizing atomized or ground particles of beryllium mixed with solid, particulate or liquidus magnesium.

Abstract: A process for making metal-matrix composites includes: purging a refining chamber filled with molten metal matrix in a furnace by an inert gas such as nitrogen gas; filling a reinforcing material, preferably with particulates, in a bucket suspended above the molten metal matrix filled in the furnace; applying a forced drafting on the reinforcing material in the bucket for subsequently upwardly drafting the reinforcing material from the bucket; and downwarddly forcing the uprising reinforcing material to be homogeneously distributed into the molten metal matrix under homogeneous agitation, for producing a metal-matrix composite reinforced with reinforcing material in a closed system wherein the nitrogen gas is served merely for Initially purging the air outwardly from the system, not being consumed continuously in order for greatly saving the nitrogen consumption and reducing the production cost thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides an aluminum-base composite material. The aluminum-base material contains a uniform distribution of carbide particles and lubricating phase particles such as carbon or graphite. The carbide particles increase hardness for improved wear resistance. The lubricating phase particles provide improved wear resistance and especially improve unlubricated wear resistance under increased loads. Finally, a dispersoid of nickel aluminide intermetallic phase may also be used to provide additional hardness and wear resistance. The composite is formed by introducing carbide particles and lubricating phase such as graphite into a molten aluminum alloy to neutraliize buoyancy and to form an aluminum-base mixture. Mixing the aluminum-base mixture to uniformly distribute carbide and carbon particles throughout the molten aluminum. Carbide and carbon particles counteract each other to remain uniformly distributed throughout the aluminum-base alloy despite prolonged holding or cooling times.

Abstract: A method for producing aluminum matrix composites containing refractory aluminide whiskers or particulates which are formed in-situ is disclosed. Aluminum and refractory metal materials are blended in powder form and then heated to a temperature above the melting point of aluminum. A solid/liquid reaction between the molten aluminum and solid refractory metal provides a desired volume fraction of refractory aluminide reinforcement phase (in situ whiskers or particulates). Upon cooling the molten, unreacted portion of aluminum solidifies around the in situ reinforcements to create the improved composite material.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy containing at least one alloying metal selected from the group consisting of bismuth, cadmium, indium and lead in a quantity greater than the maximum solubility of the metal in solid aluminum. More than 80% by weight of the alloying metals are finely dispersed in a solid aluminum matrix in the form of globules or crystals with a size of less than 5 micrometers. The alloy can be obtained by means of mechanical or electromagnetic agitation of the alloy in the course of solidifying, and in the case of continuously casting a liquid alloy, the agitation can be accomplished by means of an alternating magnetic field which is coaxial to the continuous casting axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for grain refining of aluminium and aluminium alloys wherein a siliconboron alloy containing between 0.01 to 4.0 % by weight of boron is added to molten aluminium or aluminium alloy in such an amount that the resulting melt of aluminium or aluminium alloy contains at least 50 ppm boron. The invention further relates to a grain refining alloy for aluminium and aluminium alloys which grain refining alloy is a siliconboron alloy containing between 0.01 and 4.0 % by weight of boron.

Abstract: To provide a high-strength, high-ductility cast aluminum alloy, which enables a near-net shape product to be produced by improving the casting structure of an aluminum alloy, particularly by using specific constituents and controlling the cooling rate, and a process for producing the same. The high-strength, high-ductility cast aluminum alloy of the present invention is characterized in that it has a structure comprising fine grains of .alpha.-Al, having an average grain diameter of not more than 10 .mu.m, surrounded by a network of a compound of Al-lanthanide-base metal, the .alpha.-Al grains forming a domain, that the domain comprises an aggregate of .alpha.-Al grains which have been refined, cleaved, and ordered in a single direction and that it has a composition represented by the general formula Al.sub.a Ln.sub.b M.sub.c wherein a, b, and c are, in terms of by weight, respectively 75%.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.95%, 0.5%.ltoreq.b<15%, and 0.5%.ltoreq.c<15%.

Abstract: Disclosed are a hydrogen storage alloy which contains carbon in a proportion of from 30 to 500 ppm and is represented by the stoichiometric formula A.sub.x B.sub.5.0, wherein A is La or a mixture of La with at least one rare earth metal other than La, B is at least one metal selected from a group consisting of Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Ti, V, Zn and Zr, and x is a rational number in the range 0.95.ltoreq..times..ltoreq.1.00; and has a texture in which only the intermetallic compound phase named AB.sub.5 phase is present and every other intermetallic compound phase is absent: and a method of producing said alloy and an electrode using the same.

Abstract: A method for improving the properties of an alloy is provided. The method includes steps of a) preparing a raw alloy to be worked, b) providing a working apparatus, and c) repetitively kneading the raw alloy in the working apparatus until a desired property is achieved. The present invention also provides the working apparatus and discloses the product produced thereby.

Abstract: A substantially lithium-free aluminum base alloy product having improved combinations of elongation and fracture toughness in an aged condition, the aluminum alloy product comprising at least 0.5 wt. % magnesium; 0.01 to 1 ppm Na; 0.01 to 1 ppm K; less than 0.1 ppm Rb; and less than 0.1 ppm Cs, the remainder comprising aluminum, the amount of Na, K, Rb and Cs measured by GDMS, the product in an aged condition having a grain boundary region substantially free of liquid phase eutectics comprised of Na and K that form embrittlement phases at room temperature; and an increase in fracture toughness compared to an aluminum magnesium alloy having greater amounts of Na, K, Rb and Cs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a practical aluminum based alloy containing 1 to 99 weight percent beryllium, and improved methods of semi-solid processing of aluminum alloys containing beryllium. The present methods avoid molten beryllium, agitation of molten aluminum-beryllium alloys and the need for introducing shear forces by utilizing atomized or ground particles of beryllium mixed with solid, particulate or liquidus aluminum.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for adding calcium and aluminum to molten lead to produce a lead-calcium alloy suitable for battery grids. Particles of calcium and aluminum metal or alloys thereof are fed into the interior of a tubular housing having a wall extending down into the molten lead and having a bottom opening at a relatively large depth below the lead surface and having openings in its wall at a relatively small depth below the lead surface. A rotary impeller which acts at least partially as a centrifugal impeller is positioned in the housing to cause swirling of lead carrying the particles within the housing, the shape of the housing and the nature and position of the impeller being such as to ensure that lead carrying the particles is swirled against the housing wall and recirculated within the housing before the lead leaves the housing.