Abstract: A cemented carbide tip for a cutter bit is rotationally symmetric about its longitudinal axis and has a socket in its rear end for brazing to a steel protrusion on a steel tool shank. The tip socket and an outer rearmost facing surface on the tip rear end have respective pluralities of first and second bumps thereon for spacing, centering and aligning the tip on the bit body to facilitate formation of a braze joint of a desired given cross-sectional thickness profile between the tip and bit body.

Abstract: A cutter bit for use in construction and/or excavation applications is provided having a hard wear resistant tip joined to a steel shank. The wear resistant tip is rotational symmetric about its longitudinal axis and has a rear end having a socket therein in which is bonded a steel protrusion on the forward end of the steel shank. The tip socket and an outer rearmost facing surface on the tip rear end have respective pluralities of first and second bumps formed thereon and protruding therefrom for spacing, centering and aligning the tip on the bit body to facilitate formation of a braze joint of a desired given cross-sectional thickness profile between the tip and bit body.

Abstract: The present invention entails a collet tool for removing a collet from a circumferential retainer and for inserting that collet or another collet into a retainer. The tool includes an elongated sleeve having a collet receiving section formed about one end and a plunger reciprocally mounted within the opposite end of the sleeve. To remove a collet from a retainer, the free end of the collet is inserted into the collet receiving section and the sleeve is pressed onto the collet causing the collet to be radially compressed and lodged within the sleeve and released from its associated retainer. To eject the collet from the sleeve, the plunger is moved into engagement with the collet and the collet is pushed from the sleeve. A collet may be readied for insertion into a retainer by inserting the rear portion of the collet into the collet receiving section. The sleeve is pressed on to the free end of the collet, causing the same to be radially compressed and lodged in the sleeve.

Abstract: A ceramic composition comprising a polycrystalline alumina matrix having titanium carbide whiskers distributed therein. The composition comprises 50 to 90 volume percent high purity alumina, 10 to 50 volume percent signal crystal titanium carbide whiskers, and up to 3 volume percent being the residue of sintering aids.

Abstract: A method of surface alloying a sialon article containing beta-prime-sialon phase (Si.sub.6-z Al.sub.z O.sub.z N.sub.8-z). The method includes the steps of applying an alumina coating to the surface of the sialon article by chemical vapor deposition and then heat treating the coated article at a temperature between about 1300 and 1800 degrees Centigrade for a time sufficient to diffuse some or all of the aluminum and oxygen from the alumina coating into the sialon composition to produce a layer containing beta-prime-sialon phase having an increased Z value compared to the beta-prime-sialon phase in the remainder of the article.

Abstract: A cutter bit for use in construction and/or excavation applications is provided having a hard wear resistant tip joined to a steel shank. The wear resistant tip is rotational symmetric about its longitudinal axis and has a rear end having a socket therein in which is bonded a steel protrusion on the forward end of the steel shank.

Abstract: A cemented carbide tip is provided with a socket for mounting onto the steel shank of a cutter bit. The socket has an annular convex surface therein extending from the earth engaging portion of the tip radially inwardly and forwardly. This convex surface is brazed to the forward end of a steel shank to form a cutter bit.

Abstract: A mining and construction bit body is composed of a Mn-B steel alloy composition. The alloy content of the composition in percents by weight includes: carbon, 0.33-0.38; manganese, 1.10-1.35; boron, 0.0005 minimum; silicon 0.15-0.30; sulfur, 0.045 maximum; and phosphorus, 0.035 maximum. The composition has a minimum hardenability of 47 Rockwell C at the Jominy 6/16 position and a maximum as-rolled hardness of 22 Rockwell C such that without anneal the composition meets hardenability and machinability requirements that make it useful for fabricating mining and construction bit bodies of all sizes.

Abstract: A sialon ceramic material comprising a ceramic core selected from alpha-prime-sialon, beta-prime-sialon, and an intergranular phase and, optionally substantially substantially inert refractory phases. The sialon ceramic material has an alloyed surface layer with a substantially increased aluminum and oxygen content.

Abstract: An earth working tool, such as a mining and construction cutter bit, has an elongated body, and a working element, such as a hard tip attached on a forward end of the body. The working element or hard tip is fabricated of a composition of essentially tungsten carbide of large grain size. The composition has one of a plurality of different percents, X, by weight of cobalt as a binder and one of a plurality of different Rockwell A scale hardnesses, Y. The cobalt percents X and hardnesses Y are paired in sets and have nominal values which satisfy the relationship:Y=91-0.62X,where X is selected from within a range of from about 4.2 to 12.0 percent. Also, the values of Y in the sets of X and Y have upper and lower limits which satisfy the respective relationships:Y=91.1-0.57X and Y=90.0-0.67X,where X is selected from the aforementioned range of from about 4.2 to 12.0 percent.

Abstract: A ceramic composition comprising a polycrystalline alumina matrix having titanium carbide whiskers distributed therein. The composition comprises 50 to 90 volume percent high purity alumina, 10 to 50 volume percent single crystal titanium carbide whiskers, and up to 3 volume percent being the residue of sintering aids.

Abstract: A lock rod is provided extending along and reciprocally movable along an axis Y-Y and having a cylindrical cross section near one end. Two circumferentially spaced depressions are located in the cylindrical surface for receiving locking elements in an unlocked position. Extending from the first depression is a ramp inclined with respect to axis Y-Y and from the second depression is a groove parallel to axis Y-Y for driving locking elements radially outwardly to abut against a toolholder shank to lock it onto a tool support member.

Abstract: In the alumino-thermit method of producing tungsten monocarbide powders, metallic iron is added to the reaction charge in quantities to control the calculated reaction temperature within the range of about 4372.degree. to about 4500.degree. F. It has been found that this process can now be controlled to produce macrocrystalline tungsten carbide powders which are very low in Ti, Ta and Nb content and have a very narrow range of total carbon contents.

Abstract: A ceramic composite is provided possessing a combination of high fracture toughness, high hardness and high wear resistance. The composite contains SiC particles dispersed in a ceramic matrix of mainly sialon. The sialon is composed of about 10 to 67 weight percent alpha prime sialon, with the remainder, being beta prime sialon.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shaped ceramic article by hot isostatic pressing comprising the following steps: (a) forming a compact of sinterable ceramic compositions, (b) applying a coating to the compact by vapor deposition of a ceramic composition that does not become vitreous before or during the subsequent isostatic pressing step, and (c) heating and isostatically pressing the coated compacts in an atmosphere that reacts with the coating and/or the compact at pressing temperatures and pressures to cause the compact to approach theoretical density. The method is suitable for forming a fired ceramic compact having a whisker loading in excess of about 12.5 volume percent with substantially isotropic properties due to a substantially random orientation of the whiskers.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is provided having a SiC whisker reinforced alumina matrix substrate which has an alumina coating bonded to its exterior surface. It has been found that these articles are useful as cutting inserts in the high speed rough machining of steels.

Abstract: A burnable, thermal neutron absorber element is provided with a zirconium alloy elongate container having sealed therein both a burnable absorber and the solid moderator material, zirconium hydride. The zirconium hydride is in a concentration and position to enhance the neutron capture efficiency of said thermal neutron absorber in a light water reactor neutron irradiation environment.

Abstract: An elongated nuclear fuel cladding tube is provided with at least two annular concentric layers which are bonded to each other. The inner layer is composed of a zirconium base alloy. The outer layer is composed of a titanium base material exhibiting excellent corrosion resistance in elevated temperature and pressure aqueous environments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved toolholder for releasably mounting on a tool support member. The toolholder is provided with a forward end for receiving a tool and a shank extending from the forward end for being releasably received in a bore of a tool support member. The shank has a first section for interference fitting with the bore of the tool support member when a rearwardly facing face on the toolholder is in abutment with a forwardly facing surface on the tool support member. The shank has a second section, rearwardly of its first section, for expansible abutment with the bore of the tool support member.

Abstract: In the present invention a tubular toolholder shank is releasably held in the bore of a tool support member by a releasable locking mechanism mounted in the bore of the tool support member and receivable in the tubular toolholder shank. The locking mechanism has an actuating member radially extending through the wall of the tubular shank.