Abstract: A method for producing titanium particles suitable for powder metallurgy applications by atomizing a free-falling stream of molten titanium. Prior to atomization the molten titanium is maintained in a crucible lined with a solidified layer of titanium which separates the molten mass of titanium from the crucible interior to protect it against contamination. The bottom of the crucible has a nozzle through which the titanium passes to form the free-falling stream. The nozzle may be likewise lined with a layer of solidified titanium which maintains the molten titanium passing through the nozzle out of contact with the nozzle material further protecting the titanium from contamination. The free-falling stream is contacted by an inert gas jet to atomize the stream into spherical particles, which are solidified and collected.

Abstract: A method for producing an alloy article, such as a valve or valve component, and an assembly for use therewith. The article is produced by hot isostatic compacting wherein a lining of prealloyed powdered metal of an alloy composition different than that of the remainder of the article is confined on a surface of an internal passage or cavity in the article. A solid lining element is provided contiguous with at least a portion of the powdered metal lining the surface of said internal passage, the lining element is of an alloy also different from that of the remainder of the article. The powdered metal and solid lining element are heated and then hot isostatically pressed to densify and bond the powdered metal and the lining element to the surface of the internal passage of the article to provide a clad lining of dissimilar metal.

Abstract: An austenitic stainless steel having good corrosion resistance, particularly in chloride environments; this is achieved by the use of a rare earth element, preferably lanthanum, singly or in combination with nitrogen, along with nickel and molybdenum at relatively low levels for an austenitic stainless steel. The composition includes 15 to 25% chromium, greater than 16 to 25% nickel, 3 to 7% molybdenum, with a rare earth element consisting of lanthanum within the range of 0.005 to 0.05% in combination with 0.1 to 0.5% nitrogen.

Abstract: A method for producing atomized metal particles, particularly of titanium-base alloys and superalloys, that are free from contamination by foreign material; this is achieved by providing a rod of the metal to be atomized and contacting an end portion of the rod with a plasma arc gas jet which simultaneously melts and atomizes the metal from the rod to form the atomized particles and preventing contamination of the particles.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling furnace temperature particularly in an annealing furnace used for annealing elongated product, such as pipe and tubing, on a continuous basis. The apparatus includes a pyrometer used to produce an electrical signal proportional to the temperature of the workpiece immediately after heating by an induction coil in the furnace, means for comparing this electrical signal to a set point signal proportional to the desired temperature of the workpiece and if these signals differ a control signal is produced to either increase or decrease the power input to the induction coil to correspondingly increase or decrease the temperature of the workpiece to the desired temperature.

Abstract: A method for determining the efficiency of float-sink raw material separation units which achieve separation by specific gravity sorting of raw material in particle form introduced to a liquid bath. The efficiency is determined by introducing to the bath, with the raw material in particle form for separation, prepared particles of determined size and specific gravity and detecting the separation location of these prepared particles.

Abstract: A roll especially adapted for supporting alloy pipe and tubing during travel through an annealing furnace; the roll has a roll body constructed of at least one refractory casting mounted on a cooled shaft and having a reinforcing binder distributed substantially evenly throughout the refractory and a metal surface portion in surface contact with the pipe or tubing; there is no metal-to-metal contact between the cooled shaft and the metal surface portion of the roll body so that said surface portion is maintained at substantially the same temperature as the annealing furnace.

Abstract: An improved refractory nozzle for use with a tundish in the atomization of molten metal to produce metal particles for powder metallurgy applications. The nozzle is constructed from refractory material and has a metal sleeve surrounding the nozzle bore near the discharge end thereof but offset a distance from the bore. The metal sleeve minimizes cracking caused by the thermal gradient resulting from molten metal passing through the nozzle to heat the nozzle interior to a temperature higher than the nozzle exterior at the tip.

Abstract: A vertical, open-ended ingot mold assembly including a mold stool having a relieved portion machined in its base which machined relieved portion has a cavity therein produced by erosion during casting. The useful life of the mold stool is prolonged by providing a quantity of metal particles to fill the cavity and having a plate positioned over the cavity and metal particles, which plate is secured within the cavity by a ring that is within the relieved portion of the mold stool. This ring protects the periphery of the machined relieved portion from erosion during casting and also prevents the plate and metal particles from mingling with the cast metal. For each successive casting operation, the eroded cavity is filled with metal particles and a new plate is positioned thereover. Alternately, the use of metal particles may be avoided by using only a plate of a thickness sufficient to protect the remainder of the mold stool from erosion.

Abstract: A powder-metallurgy produced, vanadium-containing, tungsten-type high-speed steel wherein hardness at elevated temperature is achieved without resorting to conventional, high cobalt contents. This is achieved by providing a critical amount of tungsten and/or molybdenum above that conventionally used in combination with vanadium and carbon in an amount sufficient to combine with the vanadium present and with an excess carbon to provide matrix strengthening. The high hardness and wear resistance at elevated temperature is imparted to the steel by the carbides of vanadium, tungsten and/or molybdenum. Columbium may be substituted for a portion of the vanadium.

Abstract: A powder metallurgy tool steel article for use in applications requiring high wear resistance having a carbide content of 10 to 18 volume percent of substantially all MC-type vanadium carbides, which carbides are substantially spherical and uniformly dispersed; the carbon content of the article is balanced relative to the carbide formers vanadium, chromium and molybdenum to provide an amount of carbon in the matrix of the article sufficient to permit the article to be heat treated to a hardness of at least 56 R.sub.c.