Abstract: A process for protecting an article from wear, wherein a frictionally transformable material is provided at the surface of the article, and then the surface of the article is subjected to frictional wear. The wear transforms the outermost layer of the material to the amorphous state, which is more wear resistant and corrosion resistant than is the material in its nonamorphous state. As the material is worn away gradually, the frictional transformation continues, thereby replenishing the amorphous outermost layer, so that a protective outermost layer remains.

Abstract: Superplastically formable aluminum alloys and composite materials are prepared from rapidly solidified, coarse aluminum powder of a precipitation hardenable alloy, processed to have a low oxide and contaminant content. The powder is mixed, together with reinforcement in the case of the composite material, and then consolidated and extruded at a high extrusion ratio to promote microstructural uniformity and to break up the surface oxide present on the particles. The extrusion is then thermomechanically processed to impart a recrystallized fine-grain aluminum microstructure which is suitable for use in superplastic forming. The unreinforced powder alloy exhibits uniform elongations of over 800 percent at a strain rate of 2.times.10.sup.-4 per second, and a composite having 0.10 volume fraction silicon carbide reinforcement exhibits uniform elongations of over 450 percent at the same strain rate.

Abstract: A robot positioning apparatus for use with robot devices having a movable portion, wherein the movable portion may be spatially oriented to, and controllably spaced from, a reference surface. Initial locating of the reference surface is accomplished by an approximate positioning subsystem using multiple, angularly oriented units which send and receive acoustic orientation positioning signals in search of the reference surface. Once a return signal is received, switching logic identifies the necessary reorienting of the movable portion to achieve approximately the proper facing relationship of the movable portion to the surface. For precise positioning and ranging after the facing relation is established, a precision positioning subsystem emits an acoustic signal toward the surface, and a response signal is received back from the surface by at least two, and preferably three, receivers mounted upon the movable portion of the robot device.

Abstract: A process for bonding together two or more pieces of material, at least one of which is an amorphous material, wherein an intermediate interlayer is placed between the two pieces and the assembly is hot pressed at a temperature above the melting point of the interlayer but below the crystallization temperature of the amorphous piece. The composition of the interlayer is chosen so that the elements diffusing into the pieces being bonded are compatible with retention of the amorphous structure. When the bonding operation is carried to completion, no evidence of the interlayer as a separate phase remains. Alternatively, the bonding operation may be halted before completion and the interlayer will remain as a separate, observable phase. For bonding hard metal amorphous materials, alloys of aluminum with silver, gold, silicon and germanium, and alloys of gold with silicon, with the addition of fluxing elements such as phosphorus and boron, have been found to provide particularly satisfactory results.

Abstract: An automation control apparatus for determining whether there is an article within a target area, and, if so, whether the article meets certain predefined acceptability criteria. The control apparatus emits a beam of acoustic energy into the target area and receives back the reflected signal from the area. The received signal is then amplified to account for normal attenuation, and the amplified signal is tested to determine whether its transit time or amplitude indicates the presence of an object within the specified area. If an article is present, waveform analysis is performed on the amplified signal to determine the signature of the article, so that the signature may be compared with predetermined acceptable values. If an object is present and the object meets the acceptability criteria to be classified as a desired article, then a positive indication is provided. Conversely, a negative indication is made if an acceptable article is not present.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuous preparation of rapidly cooled metal particles from a molten source metal by quenching into a quench liquid, wherein a cylindrical quench chamber rotates about its axis to hold the quench liquid against the inner wall thereof under centrifugal force, and a spinner disk within the quench chamber rotates about the same axis to spin off molten metal droplets into the quench liquid. Quench liquid is supplied at one end of the quench chamber and removed at the other end continuously, at the same time drawing off the solidified metal particles to an external recirculation loop where the particles are separated from the quench liquid. The spinner disk has an upper surface including a generally conical protruding tip. Metal from a source metal supply tube is directed downwardly onto the apex of the tip to form a laminar flow along the upper surface of the spinner disk.

Abstract: A process for beneficiating phosphate containing ores, wherein promoter reagents are added to the ore slurry prior to the addition of collectors and depressants for flotation of the carbonate and silica components. The promoters aid in increasing the rejection of the magnesium present during carbonate and silica flotation steps and recovery of phosphates, so that acceptably low magnesium levels for phosphoric acid production can be achieved in a phosphate concentrate in a single rougher stage. Preferred promoters include sodium carbonate and ammonium hydroxide.

Abstract: A composite material bonded by an amorphous metal. In one embodiment, a bonded piece is bonded to a substrate by a layer of amorphous metal interposed between the piece and the substrate. In another embodiment, a bonded composite material is formed with pieces of a second phase distributed throughout the volume of an amorphous matrix. In both embodiments, the second component of the composite is preferably a very hard material of low ductility, so that the composite material is useful in tooling applications. The solid composite material is formed by solid state processing, wherein the pieces are placed in contact and then consolidated at a temperature which does not exceed the crystallization temperature of the amorphous metal.

Abstract: An extended surface area amorphous metallic article and process for preparation thereof, wherein a homogeneous amorphous metallic alloy is phase-separated to produce two interconnected, internally continuous, amorphous phases, and then one phase is removed. Preferably, the homogeneous metallic alloy has a composition associated with a eutectic between at least two solid solutions. Phase separation is accomplished by exposing the alloy to a temperature which is below the crystallization temperature and also below the phase separation temperature for that composition. Removal of one phase may be accomplished by leaching in a liquid solution, or by vaporization. The resulting article has an extended surface area of the amorphous phase that is not removed. A porous membrane having extended internal surface area may be prepared by continuing the removal process to the removal of one phase throughout the entire thickness of the article.