Abstract: A method for heat treating an age-hardenable iron-nickel-chromium alloy to obtain a morphology of the gamma-double prime phase enveloping the gamma-prime phase, the alloy consisting essentially of about 40 to 50% nickel, 7.5 to 14% chromium, 1.5 to 4% niobium, 0.3 to 0.75% silicon, 1 to 3% titanium, 0.1 to 0.5% aluminum, 0.02 to 1% carbon, 0.002 to 0.0015% boron and the remain substantially all iron. To obtain optimal results, the alloy is cold-worked 20 to 60% followed by heating at 1050.degree. C. for 1/2 hour with an air-cool plus heating at 800.degree. C. for 2 hours with a furnace cool to 625.degree. C. The alloy is then held at 625.degree. C. for 12 hours, followed by an air-cool.

Abstract: A high power laser mirror and method of making the same are disclosed. Essentially the mirror consists of a refractory composition substrate which is polished to an optical finish and overcoated with a high reflectivity metal and a dielectric film disposed to cover the high reflectivity metal.The method includes the hot pressing of the refractory composition, especially silicon carbide, to form a substrate following which an optical finish is polished on one surface thereof. Thereafter, a metal film with a high reflectivity is applied to cover the optical surface and then a dielectric film is deposited over the high reflectivity metal film. Both films are deposited employing process of vacuum evaporation for deposition on the substrate. As thus combined, the mirror exhibits low optical absorptivity, high thermal conductivity, low weight, and low coefficient of thermal expansion. Since the substrate is formed of a hard refractory composition, an excellent optical finish can be polished on the surface thereof.

Abstract: Improved core losses at high operating inductions are obtained in (110) [001] oriented silicon iron through the application of a new coating to the finish gauge material and thereafter heat treating to effect transformation of the underlying steel to the (110) [001] orientation, desulfurizing the underlying steel as well as decarburizing the same. The coating, as fused, is characterized by excellent adherence and a high interlaminar resistance value.

Abstract: This is a method of producing silicon nitride in a plasma arc furnace utilizing silicon metal or silicon dioxide as a starting material. When silicon metal is used it is reacted directly with a nitrogen bearing gas to produce silicon nitride. When silicon dioxide is used a two-step process is performed wherein the silicon dioxide is first reacted with hydrogen to produce silicon monoxide gas and water and thereafter the silicon monoxide gas is reacted with hydrogen and nitrogen to produce silicon nitride and water.

Abstract: Deburring, polishing, surface forming and the like are carried out by electrochemical machining with conformable electrode means including an electrically conducting and an insulating web. The surface of the work to be processed is covered by a deformable electrically insulating web or cloth which is perforated and conforms with the work. The web is covered by a deformable perforated electrically conducting screen electrode which also conforms with, and is insulated from, the work by the insulating web. An electrolyte is conducted through the electrode and insulating web and along the work through a perforated elastic member which engages the electrode under pressure pressing the electrode and web against the work. High current under low voltage is conducted betwen the electrode and work through the insulator, removing material from the work.

Abstract: An essentially gamma-prime precipitation-hardened iron-chromium-nickel alloy has been designed with emphasis on minimum nickel and chromium contents to reduce the swelling tendencies of these alloys when used in liquid metal fast breeder reactors. The precipitation-hardening components have been designed for phase stability and such residual elements as silicon and boron, also have been selected to minimize swelling. Using the properties of these alloys in one design would result in an increased breeding ratio over 20% cold worked stainless steel, a reference material, of 1.239 to 1.310 and a reduced doubling time from 15.8 to 11.4 years.The gross stoichiometry of the alloying composition comprises from about 0.04% to about 0.06% carbon, from about 0.05% to about 1.0% silicon, up to about 0.1% zirconium, up to about 0.5% vanadium, from about 24% to about 31% nickel, from 8% to about 11% chromium, from about 1.7% to about 3.5% titanium, from about 1.0% to about 1.8% aluminum, from about 0.9% to about 3.

Abstract: Improved core losses at high operating inductions are obtained in (110) [001] oriented silicon iron through the application of a new coating to the finish gauge material and thereafter heat treating to effect transformation of the underlying steel to the (110) [001] orientation, desulfurizing the underlying steel as well as decarburizing the same. The coating, as fused, is characterized by excellent adherence and a high interlaminar resistance value.

Abstract: Method of making a high power laser mirror. Essentially the mirror consists of a refractory composition substrate which is polished to an optical finish and overcoated with a high reflectivity metal and a dielectric film disposed to cover the high reflectivity metal.The method includes the hot pressing of the refractory composition, especially silicon carbide, to form a substrate following which an optical finish is polished on one surface thereof. Thereafter, a metal film with a high reflectivity is applied to cover the optical surface and then a dielectric film is deposited over the high reflectivity metal film. Both films are deposited employing process of vacuum evaporation for deposition on the substrate. As thus combined, the mirror exhibits low optical absorptivity, high thermal conductivity, low weight, and low coefficient of thermal expansion. Since the substrate is formed of a hard refractory composition, an excellent optical finish can be polished on the surface thereof.

Abstract: An electrical contact suitable for use in high-current switching or circuit breaking, comprising a mixture of silver or copper with an alloy of tungsten carbide and titanium carbide. The contact material preferably uses from about 10% to about 90% silver by weight, the remainder being (WTi)C alloy, and preferably the alloy component comprises from about 35% to about 50% of WC, the remainder of the alloy being TiC. The contact is preferably made by a powder metallurgical process, and provides not only good impact resistance, weld resistance and erosion resistance but, even more importantly, provides low contact resistance, i.e. low electrical resistance when current flows through the closed contacts even after repeated cycling, as shown by the low temperature rise of the contact in use.

Abstract: A method of producing cast articles having internal cavities is disclosed. The method is particularly suitable for casting gas turbine components from nickel base and cobalt base superalloys. The method comprises: forming a core to the desired cavity configuration, the core consisting essentially of densified silicon nitride; securing the core within a mold; casting the alloy within the mold and around the core; removing the solidified cast article from the mold; and leaching the silicon nitride core from the casting in molten sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: A cold-worked, high strength, non-magnetic, austenitic, ferrous alloy having high resistance to stress-corrosion cracking and hydrogen embrittlement. Composition of this alloy in weight percent is:______________________________________ Manganese 17 to 23 Chromium >6 to <10 Carbon 0.35 to 0.8 Silicon up to 1.5 Nickel up to 2.75 Molybdenum up to 3.5 Vanadium up to 1.7 Columbium up to 0.45 Nitrogen up to 0.8 Iron Balance ______________________________________With carbon plus nitrogen 0.35 to 0.8 and the manganese plus chromium between 24 and 31.5. Also a large electrical generator with retaining and baffle rings of the alloy. Also a method of hardening this alloy by cold working and aging.

Abstract: Dense, ceramic compositions fabricated within the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 -Si.sub.2 N.sub.2 O-Y.sub.2 Si.sub.2 O.sub.7 compatibility triangle in the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 -SiO.sub.2 -Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 system are extremely stable in oxidizing environments and particularly suited for use as a high temperature structural material. In addition, the hot-pressed, densified articles fabricated from compositions within the compatibility triangle exhibit improved strength and creep resistance at elevated temperatures relative to commercial Si.sub.3 N.sub.4.

Abstract: An alloy composition highly resistant to hot corrosion attack in combustion atmospheres and possessing good ductility, particularly suited for use as a coating material on gas turbine components. The alloy consists of 25-45% by weight chromium, 0-40% by weight cobalt and balance nickel. The alloy may also include 2.5-5.5% by weight aluminum or 1.0-2.0% by weight silicon and 0.1-1.0% by weight yttrium.

Abstract: A cobalt-base alloy particularly for the cast parts of gas engines which operate at high temperatures, such as stationary blades of turbines, vanes of large cross-sectional and the like. The alloy has the minimum practicable of zirconium so that detrimental inter-dendritic carbide oxidation is suppressed. The surface of castings of this alloy readily lend themselves to coating with oxidation and sulfidation resistant coatings. In addition, the carbide oxidation attack of the crucible in which the alloy is melted or molded is minimized so that the economy of producing castings is materially improved. Also, improved is the internal structure of the investment castings produced in normal shop practice; i.e., equiaxed grain size, as distinct from columnar grain size, is produced and this results in an increase in the integrity of cast properties in large castings.

Abstract: An alloy is described which contains between about 33 and 35% nickel, about 1 and 4% molybdenum and the balance iron with incidental impurities. The alloy is characterized by having a completely secondarily recrystallized structure, improved stability preventing substantial transformation to martensite at temperatures as low as -320.degree. F, high resistance and high initial permeability.

Abstract: A continuous, four stage fluidized bed process for converting uranium hexafluoride (UF.sub.6) to ceramic-grade uranium dioxide (UO.sub.2) powder suitable for use in the manufacture of fuel pellets for nuclear reactors is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of first reacting UF.sub.6 with steam in a first fluidized bed, preferably at about 550.degree. C, to form solid intermediate reaction products UO.sub.2 F.sub.2, U.sub.3 O.sub.8 and an off-gas including hydrogen fluoride (HF). The solid intermediate reaction products are conveyed to a second fluidized bed reactor at which the mol fraction of HF is controlled at low levels in order to prevent the formation of uranium tetrafluoride (UF.sub.4). The first intermediate reaction products are reacted in the second fluidized bed with steam and hydrogen at a temperature of about 630.degree. C. The second intermediate reaction product including uranium dioxide (UO.sub.

Abstract: A material is described which is useful in electrical current switching devices and is especially adapted to form the contact surface of the electrodes of electrical current switching devices which are employed in a vacuum environment. The contact material comprises a major component which is characterized by a melting point in excess of 1250.degree. C and a boiling point of less than 3500.degree. C. A small but effective amount of an element which provides antiwelding characteristics and in which said element has only minimum solubility within the major component. The balance is a minor constituent for providing a low resistance path for the electrical current to flow from one electrode to the other. Typical compositions includes a chromium matrix material which comprises in excess of 50% by weight of the contact material, up to about 1.5% of an antiwelding element for example bismuth and the balance essentially a high electrical and thermal conductivity element notably copper or silver.

Abstract: A sputtering technique is described in which a thin film superconductor is produced which exhibits a transition temperature in excess of the transition temperature of the bulk material. High gas pressures and low voltages are employed to produce Nb.sub.3 Ge exhibiting T.sub.c of 22.3.degree. K. The present invention was made in and during the course of work under DOD contract No. F 44-620-71-C-0045.

Abstract: An alloy consisting essentially of from about 14% to 19% chromium, from 25 to 35% of nickel, from about 2% to 3% molybdenum, from about 0.1% to 1% of silicon, up to 0.5% of manganese, from about 0.03 to 0.05% carbon, up to about 0.01% sulfur, up to about 0.01% of phosphorus, up to 0.01% boron, up to about 0.01% oxygen, up to about 0.02% nitrogen, small amounts of incidental impurities, and the balance being iron, the alloy having an N.sub.v (average electron vacancy number) value of between 1.6 and 2.8, has an unexpected combination of properties enabling it to be formed by hot and cold working and heat treatment into components and members particularly suitable for use in nuclear reactors wherein the components are subjected to molten sodium, where the corrosion of the surface of the alloy is not in excess of the order of 1 to 2 mils per year, and the alloy exhibits low swelling when exposed to intense radiation, while exhibiting good physical properties at temperatures of up to 1325.degree. F.

Abstract: A method for densifying to near theoretical density a shaped body of compacted powdered particles, particularly of a refractory material, by preforming a shaped body of compacted particles of a powdered material characterized by voids, enclosing the shaped body within a loose mass of a pressure-transmitting powder disposed within a confining mold, applying a unidirectional pressure to the pressure-transmitting powder within the mold in order to compress the shaped body more compactly while heating the body to at least the densification temperature of the body, preferably in a controlled atmosphere, the temperature and/or pressure being increased incrementally up to the densification temperature of the refractory material, whereby substantially all voids within the compacted shaped body are collapsed.