Abstract: A TiAl composition is prepared to have high strength, high oxidation resistance and to have acceptable ductility by altering the atomic ratio of the titanium and aluminum to have what has been found to be a highly desirable effective aluminum concentration and by addition of chromium, boron, and tantalum according to the approximate formulaTi-Al.sub.46-48 Cr.sub.1-3 Ta.sub.2-4 B.sub.0.1-0.3.The alloy is cast to form a body and the body is HIPped to impart a desirable combination of properties thereto.

Abstract: Mercury and mercury-containing compounds can be removed from soil, sand, and similar materials by a remediation method in which the contaminated material is treated with an aqueous composition comprising an oxidant, such as iodine, and a complexing or solubilizing agent, such as potassium iodide, the liquid and solid phases are separated, and further processed as needed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for an RF plasma gun with injection probe that imparts feed material with a controllable radial component of motion by providing a conical exit port for the injection probe or a mesh screen therein.

Abstract: A method for forming a porous body of a metal from the group consisting of molybdenum, molybdenum alloy, tungsten, tungsten alloy, or mixtures thereof comprises foaming a mixture of a sinterable powder of the metal and a foaming agent in a volume ratio of about 0.6 to 3.5:1 respectively, to form a foam having the metal powder dispersed therein. The foam is heated in a reducing atmosphere that promotes interparticle diffusion and bonding, to decompose the foam and sinter the metal powder to form the porous body.

Abstract: A method for providing improved castability in a gamma titanium aluminide is taught. The method involves adding inclusions to the near stoichiometric titanium aluminide and specifically low chromium and high niobium inclusions. Niobium additions are made in concentrations between 6 and 14 atomic percent. Chromium additions are between 1 and 3 atom percent. Property improvements are also achieved.A preferred composition is according to the following expression:Ti--i Al.sub.46--48 Cr.sub.1--3 Nb.sub.

Abstract: A phosphor comprising, an ABO.sub.3 oxide compound wherein A is about 0.002 to 22 atomic percent cerium and up to about 22 atomic percent lanthanum, and B is about 18 to 22 atomic percent of at least one of lutetium or yttrium.

Abstract: This invention utilizes a system of interlinked modular hardware and modular software for continuously controlling the manufacture of a workpiece. By using a modular architecture, the system capabilities can be expanded or modified without requiring major redesign.

Abstract: Titanium niobium aluminide alloys having improved room temperature ductility and fracture toughness are comprised of, in atomic percent, about 18 to 30 percent aluminum, about 18 to 34 percent niobium, about 0.25 to 7 percent vanadium, and the balance substantially titanium.

Abstract: A TiAl composition is prepared to have high strength and to have improved ductility by altering the atomic ratio of the titanium and aluminum to have what has been found to be an effective aluminum concentration and by addition of chromium, boron, and niobium according to the approximate formula Ti-Al.sub.46-48 Cr.sub.2 Nb.sub.2 B.sub.0.1-0.2. The composition is preferably prepared by casting, homogenization at a high temperature, and forging the homogenized casting.

Abstract: A method of infiltration forming silicon carbide bodies having an improved surface finish comprises, infiltrating a porous carbonaceous preform with molten infiltrant to form a silicon carbide body. The body is heated in an inert atmosphere or vacuum to a temperature where the infiltrant is molten while the body is positioned in contact with an infiltrant wicking means. Preferably, the wicking means has infiltrant wicking capillaries at least as large as the infiltrant wicking capillaries in the body. Capillary force draws excess infiltrant on the surface of the body from the surface leaving the reaction formed silicon carbide body with a surface substantially free of excess infiltrant droplets.

Abstract: A phosphor comprising an effective amount of cerium to provide luminescence, in substantially a lanthanide oxide fluoride compound having a tetragonal crystal form, the lanthanide being from the group consisting of lutetium, gadolinium, yttrium, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method for providing improved ductility in a gamma titanium aluminide is taught. The method involves adding inclusions of boron to the titanium aluminide containing chromium, carbon, and niobium and thermomechanically working the casting. Boron additions are made in concentrations between 0.5 and 2 atomic percent. Fine grain equiaxed microstructure is found from solidified melt. Property improvements are achieved by the thermomechanical processing.

Abstract: A silver tube with one open end is packed with a particulate mixture of reactants comprised of Bi.sub.2 CaSr.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.8.+-.x, Ca.sub.2 CuO.sub.3, cupric oxide and lead oxide, the open end of the packed tube is plugged with silver, the resulting closed tube is swaged to increase the density of the packed mixture, the swaged tube is wire-drawn, uniaxial pressure is applied to the wire orienting the Bi.sub.2 CaSr.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.8.+-.x crystals with their c-axis parallel to each other forming an initial tape, the initial tape is fired to convert part of the Bi.sub.2 CaSr.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.8.+-.x crystals to Bi.sub.2-y Pb.sub.y Ca.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.10.+-.z crystals producing an intermediate tape containing dilated product, uniaxial pressure is applied to the resulting intermediate tape to remove the dilation in the product, and the pressed intermediate tape is fired to produce a tape comprised of silver enveloping a sintered body of Bi.sub.2-y Pb.sub.y Ca.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.

Abstract: A method of altering the composition of an alloy deposited by plasma-spray processing is disclosed. It has been found that the composition of a powder can be altered by selective vaporization of the more volatile components of the alloy. In order to do this, the gas mixture employed in the plasma processing is modified to a composition which imparts a higher superheat to the liquid particles undergoing plasma processing. In this way, an alloy which is out-of-specification can be brought within the specification as to its composition by reducing the more volatile components and accordingly increasing the concentration of the less volatile components.

Abstract: A method of forming a superconducting tape having a silver sheath and a polycrystalline oxide superconductor core includes, forming at least one silver foil to have a receiving surface for supporting a deposit, and at least one enclosing surface that can cover the deposit and overlap another portion of the foil so that the surfaces form the sheath. The foil has a first thickness at the receiving surface and a second thickness at the enclosing surface. A precursor deposit of the superconductor is formed on the receiving surface. The enclosing surface is wrapped to cover the deposit and overlap another portion of the foil to form the sheath. The first and second thicknesses being preselected so that the thickness of the overlapping foils is equivalent to the thickness of foil oppositely facing the overlapping foils. The overlapping foils are sealed, and annealed to reaction-sinter the sealed deposit and form the tape.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant zirconium alloy is comprised of, in weight percent, about 0.1 to less than 0.5 percent bismuth, about 0.1 to less than 0.5 percent niobium, and the balance substantially zirconium. Preferably, niobium is about 0.1 to 3 weight percent. The alloys have improved corrosion resistance as compared to the moderate-purity sponge zirconium while maintaining a ductility comparable to sponge zirconium.

Abstract: A method for annealing a Zircaloy member having a cold worked or beta quenched crystal structure to mitigate the reduction in nodular corrosion resistance caused by the anneal comprises, annealing the member in an atmosphere comprising oxygen and the balance an inert atmosphere to form an adherent black oxide on the member.

Abstract: A Machine Tool Monitor detects significant characteristics of workpieces such as roughness, scale, metal hardness and workpiece shape and does this by monitoring vibration signals produced by the machining of parts and interpreting patterns in these signals. Information from the part program improves the performance of the detector and optimizes it for the cutting conditions called for by the machine tool control. The analog channel gain of the monitor is adjusted and parameters controlling the digital pattern recognition logic are selected using part program information on machining parameters. Efficiency is improved for example by decreasing the amount of time wasted in cutting air.

Abstract: Methyl silicone resins are pyrolized in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to form a translucent glass comprised of silicon, oxygen and carbon where silicon atoms are chemically bonded to carbon and oxygen atoms, but there are essentially no chemical bonds between carbon and oxygen atoms. The translucent silicon-oxy-carbide glasses of this invention resist devitrification and decomposition in oxidizing or reducing atmospheres at temperatures of about 1250.degree. C. or greater. Methods for forming silicon-oxy-carbide glass articles are disclosed, along with specific methods for forming silicon-oxy-carbide glass fibres, composites, and cellular structures.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering a molten solder bath comprises, a housing having an entrance end and an exit end enclosing a channel means extending from the entrance end to a filter means adjacent the exit end. The channel means being configured for receiving molten solder at the entrance end and directing the solder to the filter means in a turbulent flow. The filter means being configured to filter particles from the flow and direct the filtered flow to the exit end. A cooling means is positioned on the housing for cooling solder flowing through the channel means without reacting with the solder. A method for filtering a molten solder bath comprises, directing solder from the bath in a turbulent flow and cooling the flow to form a precipitate of an impurity in the molten solder. The cooled flow is filtered to remove particles and form a high-purity solder, and the high-purity solder is returned to the bath. Preferably, the molten solder is protected by an inert atmosphere that does not react with the solder.