Abstract: A composite article includes a first composite material and a second composite material. The first composite material and the second composite material individually comprise hard particles in a binder. A concentration of ruthenium in the binder of the first composite material is different from a concentration of ruthenium in the binder of the second composite material.

Abstract: One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing large diameter superalloy ingots are disclosed. A material comprising at least one of a metal and a metallic alloy is introduced into a pressure-regulated chamber in a melting assembly. The material is subjected to a wide-area electron field within the pressure-regulated chamber to heat the material to a temperature above the melting temperature of the material to form a molten alloy. At least one stream of molten alloy from the pressure-regulated chamber is provided from the melting assembly and is fed into an atomizing assembly, where particles of the molten alloy are generated by impinging electrons on the molten alloy to atomize the molten alloy. At least one of an electrostatic field and an electromagnetic field are produced to influence the particles of the molten alloy. The particles of the molten alloy are deposited onto a collector in a spray forming operation to form an alloy ingot.

Abstract: A nucleated casting apparatus including an atomizing nozzle configured to produce a droplet spray of a metallic material, a mold configured to receive the droplet spray and form a preform therein, and a gas injector which can limit, and possibly prevent, overspray from accumulating on the mold. The gas injector can be configured to produce a gas flow which can impinge on the droplet spray to redirect at least a portion of the droplet spray away from a side wall of the mold. In various embodiments, the droplet spray may be directed by the atomizing nozzle in a generally downward direction and the gas flow may be directed in a generally upward direction such that the gas flow circumscribes the perimeter of the mold.

Abstract: A method for producing ammonium metatungstate from ammonium paratungstate includes preparing an ammonium paratungstate mixture including solid ammonium paratungstate and water. The mixture is contacted with a cation exchange material to lower a pH of the mixture to a pH range wherein metatungstate ion is stable and an insoluble tungstic acid is not formed. The pH of the mixture may be maintained in the pH range until the ammonium paratungstate mixture is converted into an ammonium metatungstate solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to embodiments of a cutting tool holder having at least one insert pocket, wherein at least one insert pocket comprises a side surface and at least one antirotation stop protruding from the side surface. The antirotation stop may comprise at least two substantially planar surfaces. In certain embodiments, the cutting tool holder may have a pocket which comprises a bottom surface and an antirotation stop having three substantially planar surfaces that are substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface.

Abstract: A formed article for making alloying additions to metal melts includes particles of at least one master alloy and a binder material binding the particles of the master alloy in the formed article. The binder material changes form and frees the master alloy particles when the formed article is heated to a predetermined temperature, preferably a temperature greater than 500° F. A method for making an alloy also is provided. The method includes preparing a melt comprising a predetermined quantity of a master alloy wherein the master alloy is added to the melt or the melt starting materials in the form of particles of the master alloy bound into at least one formed article by a binder material that decomposes at a predetermined temperature, preferably a temperature greater than 500° F., and releases the particles of master alloy.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods of producing a composite article. A method comprises introducing a first powdered metal grade from a feed shoe into a first portion of a cavity in a die and a second powdered metal grade from the feed shoe into a second portion of the cavity, wherein the first powder metal grade differs from the second powdered metal grade in chemical composition or particle size. Further methods are also provided. Embodiments of the present invention also comprise composite inserts for material removal operations. The composite inserts may comprise a first region and a second region, wherein the first region comprises a first composite material and the second region comprises a second composite material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of processing nickel-titanium alloys including from greater than 50 up to 55 atomic percent nickel to provide a desired austenite transformation temperature and/or austenite transformation temperature range. In one embodiment, the method comprises selecting a desired austenite transformation temperature, and thermally processing the nickel-titanium alloy to adjust an amount of nickel in solid solution in a TiNi phase of the alloy such that a stable austenite transformation temperature is reached, wherein the stable austenite transformation temperature is essentially equal to the desired austenite transformation temperature.

Abstract: Methods for producing zirconium strips that demonstrate improved formability are disclosed. The zirconium strips of the present disclosure have a purity and crystalline microstructure suitable for improved formability, for example, in the manufacture of certain articles such as panels for plate heat exchangers and high performance tower packing components. Other embodiments disclosed herein relate to formed substantially pure zirconium strip, articles of manufacture produced from the substantially pure zirconium strip, and methods for making the articles of manufacture.

Abstract: Various non-limiting embodiments of the present invention relate to methods of processing titanium alloys wherein the alloys are subjected to deformation above the beta transus temperature (T?) of the alloys. For example, one non-limiting embodiment provides a method of processing an alpha+beta or a near-beta titanium alloy comprising deforming a body of the alloy at a first temperature (T1) that is above the T? of the alloy; recrystallizing at least a portion of the alloy by deforming and/or holding the body at a second temperature (T2) that is greater than T1; and deforming the body at a third temperature (T3), wherein T1?T3>T?; wherein essentially no deformation of the body occurs at a temperature below T? during the method of processing the titanium alloy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ceramic cutting tools, such as, a aluminum oxide with zirconium oxide ceramic cutting tool with diffusion bonding enhanced layer and CVD coatings, particularly useful for machining modem metal materials. The method comprises a chemical reaction with a mixture including nitrogen and aluminum chloride introduced to form a diffusion bonding enhanced layer between the ceramic substrate and the CVD coatings. Thus formed diffusion bonding is highly adherent to the aluminum oxide with zirconium oxide ceramic substrate and significantly enhances the CVD coating properties, and thus improving the machining performance in terms of the tool life of zirconium-based aluminum oxide with zirconium oxide ceramic cutting tools.

Abstract: One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a field generating assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles. The field generating assembly produces at least one of an electrostatic field and an electromagnetic field between the atomizing assembly and the collector. The molten alloy particles interact with the at least one field, which influences at least one of the acceleration, speed, and direction of the molten alloy particles. Related methods also are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to nickel-base alloys and methods of direct aging nickel-base alloys. More specifically, certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods of direct aging 718Plus® nickel-base alloy to impart improved mechanical properties, such as, but not limited to, tensile strength, yield strength, low cycle fatigue, fatigue crack growth, and creep and rupture life to the alloys. Other embodiments of the present disclosure relate to direct aged 718Plus® nickel-base alloy, and articles of manufacture made therefrom, having improved mechanical properties, such as, but not limited to, tensile strength, yield strength, low cycle fatigue, fatigue crack growth, and creep and rupture life.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to nickel-base alloys, and in particular 718-type nickel-base alloys, having a desired microstructure that is predominantly strengthened by ??-phase precipitates and comprises an amount of at least one grain boundary precipitate. Other embodiments of the present invention relate to methods of heat treating nickel-base alloys, and in particular 718-type nickel-base alloys, to develop a desired microstructure that can impart thermally stable mechanical properties. Articles of manufacture using the nickel-base alloys and methods of heat treating nickel-base alloys according to embodiments of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of processing cobalt alloys including, in weight percent, from 26 to 30 chromium, from 5 to 7 molybdenum, and greater than 50 cobalt, the methods comprises cold working and aging the alloys such that after aging the cobalt alloys have a hardness of at least Rockwell C 50. Other embodiments provide methods of selectively cold working at least one portion of a cobalt alloy, and subsequently aging the alloy, such after aging, the selectively cold worked portions of the alloy have a higher hardness value then portions of the alloy that were not selectively cold worked. The present invention also discloses cobalt alloys, implants, and articles of manufacture made from cobalt alloys within the present invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to cutting inserts for earth boring bits comprising a cutting zone, wherein the cutting zone comprises first cemented hard particles and a body zone, wherein the body zone comprises second cemented hard particles. The first cemented hard particles may differ in at least one property from the second cemented hard particles. As used herein, the cemented hard particles means a material comprising hard particles in a binder. The hard particles may be at least one of a carbide, a nitride, a boride, a silicide, an oxide, and solid solutions thereof and the binder may be at least one metal selected from cobalt, nickel, iron and alloys of cobalt, nickel or iron.

Abstract: A memory device includes at least one memory array having a plurality of memory cells addressed by a plurality of word lines and bit lines, and coupled between a power line and a ground line. A word line decoder is coupled to one end of the word line for selecting the word lines in response to input signals. A voltage control circuit is coupled to another end of the word line for connecting the word line to a ground voltage when the memory device is in a sleep mode, wherein the voltage control circuit is supplied by DC power.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to nickel-base alloys, and in particular 718-type nickel-base alloys, having a desired microstructure that is predominantly strengthened by ??-phase precipitates and comprises an amount of at least one grain boundary precipitate. Other embodiments of the present invention relate to methods of heat treating nickel-base alloys, and in particular 718-type nickel-base alloys, to develop a desired microstructure that can impart thermally stable mechanical properties. Articles of manufacture using the nickel-base alloys and methods of heat treating nickel-base alloys according to embodiments of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for modeling a current expected prepayment spread for a mortgage-backed security (MBS) as a function of a current refinance activity is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the method comprises the steps of computing a historical MBS prepayment spread value and determining a historical refinance activity value for each of a plurality of historical time value. The historical MBS prepayment spread value and the corresponding historical refinance activity value define a data pair. The method further comprises the step of processing the data pairs corresponding to the plurality of historical time values to determine terms of a multiple-term mathematical formula that is used to calculate the current expected prepayment spread, wherein the terms of the formula include as a variable the current refinance activity.