Abstract: A method for the partial or total modification of functional groups on the surface of polymeric materials or polymer-containing materials, by means of combined plasma functionalization and localized thermal defunctionalization, is disclosed. At first, a surface of a polymer material is exposed to a cold plasma, whereby a desired polymer functionalization is achieved. After the plasma treatment, the surface is locally heated in an optional manner, primarily by means of an electron beam, resulting in local defunctionalization of the heated surface area. The directing of the electron beam across the surface of the material results in any desired distribution of functional groups on the surface. Also disclosed is a device for performing such a treatment.

Abstract: Cermets having a Co--Ni--Fe-binder are described. The Co--Ni--Fe-binder is unique in that even when subjected to plastic deformation, the binder substantially maintains its face centered cubic crystal structure and avoids stress and/or strain induced phase transformations. Stated differently, the Co--Ni--Fe-binder exhibits reduced work hardening.

Abstract: A cutting insert including a flank face, a rake face, and a cutting edge at the intersection of the flank and rake faces that is useful in the chip forming machining of workpiece materials is disclosed. The cutting insert comprises a cermet comprising at least one hard component and about 2 wt % to 19 wt % Co--Ni--FE-binder. The Co--Ni--FE-binder is unique in that even when subjected to plastic deformation, the binder substantially maintains its face centered cubic (fcc) crystal structure and avoids stress and/or strain induced transformations.

Abstract: A cutting tool for milling titanium and titanium alloys which includes a substrate that comprises tungsten carbide and cobalt. The substrate further includes cobalt in the range of between 5.7 to 6.3 weight percent and chromium in the range of between 0.3 and 0.5 weight percent. The cutting tool has a coating of tungsten carbide applied to the substrate by physical vapor deposition.

Abstract: A cutting tool includes a substrate and a coating on the substrate. The coating includes a base adhesion layer that is on at least a portion of the substrate. A first intermediate adhesion layer, which includes boron and a first element, that is on the base adhesion layer. A second intermediate adhesion layer, which includes boron, the first element, and nitrogen, that is on the first intermediate adhesion layer. An outer adhesion layer, which includes boron and nitrogen preferably in the form of cubic boron nitride, that is on the second intermediate adhesion layer. A wear coating scheme wherein the innermost layer of the wear coating scheme is on the outer adhesion layer.

Abstract: A coating scheme comprising a boron and nitrogen containing layer that satisfactorily adheres to a substrate is disclosed. The satisfactorily adherent coating scheme comprises a base layer, a first intermediate layer, a second intermediate layer and the boron and nitrogen containing layer. The coating scheme is compatible with tooling for drilling, turning, milling, and/or forming hard, difficult to cut materials. The coating scheme has been applied to cutting inserts comprised of cermets or ceramics using PVD techniques. The boron and nitrogen layer preferably comprises boron nitride and, more preferably, cubic boron nitride.

Abstract: A coated cutting tool that has a rake face and a flank face with a cutting edge at the juncture of the rake and flanks faces, a substrate, and a coating bonded to the substrate. The coating has a coating scheme that includes a layer of a Group IVB metal-aluminum alloy applied by physical vapor deposition, and a layer of alumina applied by physical vapor deposition to the layer of the Group IVB metal-aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A coolant reclamation device for use in conjunction with a conveyor of a first width wherein the conveyor receives solid contaminants and coolant from a machine tool operation. The conveyor transports the solid contaminants and coolant to the coolant reclamation device. The coolant reclamation device includes an elongate body which defines a chamber and contains an elongate opening which provides direct access to the chamber. The device also includes an elongate screen located over the opening. The coolant reclamation device is positioned relative to the conveyor so that the solid contaminants and coolant discharged from the conveyor impinge the screen whereby the solid contaminants remain on the surface of the screen and the coolant passes through the screen into the chamber. The elongate body contains a return port through which the chamber is in fluid communication with the coolant reservoir via a conduit.

Abstract: A method of producing a green compact which includes the steps of forming a generally homogeneous powder blend of powder components; consolidating the powder blend into a green body wherein the green body includes a flashing; impinging the green body with a fluid stream so as to dislodge the flashing; and removing the dislodged flashing from the surface of the green body.

Abstract: Methods for making, methods for using and articles comprising cermets, preferably cemented carbides and more preferably tungsten carbide, having at least two regions exhibiting at least one property that differs are discussed. Preferably, the cermets further exhibit uniform or controlled wear to impart a self-sharpening character to an article. The multiple-region cermets are particularly useful in wear applications. The cermets are manufactured by juxtaposing and densifying at least two powder blends having different properties (e.g., differential carbide grain size or differential carbide chemistry or differential binder content or differential binder chemistry or any combination of the preceding).

Abstract: A corrosion resistant cermet comprises a ceramic component (e.g., WC) and a binder alloy comprised of a major component (e.g., one or more of iron, nickel, cobalt, their mixtures, and their alloys) and at least one additive component (e.g., one or more of ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, and platinum).Plungers for hyper compressors used in the corrosive environments generated during the manufacture of low density polyethylene (LDPE) or ethylene copolymers are an example of the use of the corrosion resistant cermet.

Abstract: Methods for making, methods for using and articles including cermets, preferably cemented carbides and more preferably tungsten carbide, having at least two regions exhibiting at least one property that differs are discussed. Preferably, the cermets further exhibit a portion that is binder rich and which gradually or smoothly transitions to at least a second region. The multiple-region cermets are particularly useful in compressively loaded application wherein a tensile stress or fatigue limit might otherwise be excessive for monolithic articles. The cermets are manufactured by juxtaposing and densifying at least two powder blends having different properties (e.g., differential carbide grain size, differential carbide chemistry, differential binder content, differential binder chemistry, or any combination of the preceding).

Abstract: Methods for making, methods for using and articles comprising cermets, preferably cemented carbides and more preferably tungsten carbide, having at least two regions exhibiting at least one property that differs are discussed. Preferably, the cermets further exhibit a portion that is binder rich and which gradually or smoothly transitions to at least a second region. The multiple-region cermets are particularly useful in compressively loaded application wherein a tensile stress or fatigue limit might otherwise be excessive for monolithic articles. The cermets are manufactured by juxtaposing and densifying at least two powder blends having different properties (e.g., differential carbide grain size, differential carbide chemistry, differential binder content, differential binder chemistry, or any combination of the preceding).

Abstract: Methods for making, methods for using and articles comprising cermets, preferably cemented carbides and more preferably tungsten carbide, having at least two regions exhibiting at least one property that differs are discussed. Preferably, the cermets further exhibit uniform or controlled wear to impart a self-sharpening character to an article. The multiple-region cermets are particularly useful in wear applications. The cermets are manufactured by juxtaposing and densifying at least two powder blends having different properties (e.g., differential carbide grain size or differential carbide chemistry or differential binder content or differential binder chemistry or any combination of the preceding).

Abstract: Methods for making, methods for using and articles having cermets, preferably cemented carbides and more preferably tungsten carbide, having at least two regions exhibiting at least one property that differs are discussed. Preferably, the cermets further exhibit a portion that is binder rich and which gradually or smoothly transitions to at least a second region. The multiple-region cermets are particularly useful in compressively loaded application wherein a tensile stress or fatigue limit might otherwise be excessive for monolithic articles. The cermets are manufactured by juxtaposing and densifying at least two powder blends having different properties (e.g., differential carbide grain size, differential carbide chemistry, differential binder content, differential binder chemistry, or any combination of the preceding).

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, treating an elongate rotary tool that presents a sharp cutting edge are described. The method includes the steps of emitting under pressure from a nozzle an abrasive fluid stream comprising an abrasive grit entrained in a fluid; and impinging the abrasive fluid stream against the sharp cutting edge of the elongate rotary tool for a preselected time so as to transform the sharp cutting edge into a relatively uniformly honed edge. The apparatus includes a rotatable fixture that releasably holds the elongate rotary tool. A nozzle that emits under pressure an abrasive steam. The nozzle and the elongate rotary tool are relatively moveable so that the abrasive stream impinges the entire length of the sharp cutting edge.

Abstract: A coated cutting tool, as well as a method for making tool and a method for the milling of ductile iron using the cutting tool wherein the cutting tool includes a rake face and a flank face with a cutting edge at the juncture there. The cutting tool also presents a coating and a substrate. The substrate comprises a tungsten carbide based cemented carbide having a bulk composition of no more than 7 weight percent tantalum, no more than 3 weight percent niobium, no more than 5 weight percent titanium, no more than 1 weight percent chromium, between about 5 and about 13 weight percent cobalt, and the balance tungsten carbide. The coating has an innermost coating scheme including at least one layer adjacent to the substrate, and an outermost layer comprising titanium carbide applied by chemical vapor deposition layer.

Abstract: A method of producing a cutting insert which includes the steps of: providing a generally homogeneous powder blend of powder components; forming the powder blend into a green body wherein the green body includes a rake face and a flank face with a cutting edge at the juncture of the rake face and the flank face; honing the cutting edge of the green body; and consolidating the green body with the honed cutting edge so as to form a consolidated body with a honed cutting edge.

Abstract: A cutting tool for machining titanium and titanium alloys which comprises a tungsten carbide-containing substrate alone or with a tungsten carbide tip brazed thereto. The cutting tool further includes a hard coating on either the substrate alone or on the tungsten carbide tip. The coating may be PVD-applied tungsten carbide, CVD-applied boron carbide or PVD-applied boron carbide.