Abstract: A green article comprising an A-B powder mixture and methods of manufacturing such green articles and corresponding sintered articles are disclosed. The A-B powder mixture consists of a minor volume fraction of a relatively fine powder A and a complementary major volume fraction of a relatively coarse prealloyed powder B wherein the A-B powder mean particle size ratio is at least about 1:5. Metal powder A consists of one or more elemental metals or alloys which has a melting or solidus temperature above the highest sintering temperature at which the A-B powder mixture may be sintered without slumping. Prealloyed metal powder B consists of one or more alloys which are amenable to supersolidus liquid phase sintering. Green articles made from the A-B powder have a wider sintering temperature window than do articles made from prealloyed metal powder B alone.

Abstract: A green article comprising an A-B powder mixture and methods of manufacturing such green articles and corresponding sintered articles are disclosed. The A-B powder mixture consists of a minor volume fraction of a relatively fine powder A and a complementary major volume fraction of a relatively coarse prealloyed powder B wherein the A-B powder mean particle size ratio is at least about 1:5. Metal powder A consists of one or more elemental metals or alloys which has a melting or solidus temperature above the highest sintering temperature at which the A-B powder mixture may be sintered without slumping. Prealloyed metal powder B consists of one or more alloys which are amenable to supersolidus liquid phase sintering. Green articles made from the A-B powder have a wider sintering temperature window than do articles made from prealloyed metal powder B alone.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for punching holes at any location along the length of an elongate hollow body comprising an expandable die which is insertable into the elongate hollow body. The elongate hollow body may have any shape and be of any length. In operation, the expandable die cooperates with the punch or punches of an external, conventional punch press. The expandable die self-aligns its die cavity or cavities with the punch or punches of the external punch press. The expandable die can expand to support the elongate hollow body during the punching operation to avoid denting or other damage to the elongate hollow body.

Abstract: A system for securing a rail to a concrete railroad tie employing an improved insulator spacer that improves the resistance of the insulator spacer to the crushing deterioration induced by laterally-directed compressive forces during service. The improved insulator spacer has at least one composite insert located in an area that is subjected to high compressive loads in service. The composite insert or inserts are sufficiently electrically insulating to operably electrically insulate the rail the improved insulator spacer is in contact with from the shoulder insert the improved insulator spacer is also in contact with.

Abstract: A holder for a hand-size container for use in conjunction with a portable chair. The holder comprises an integral body portion and a clamping means for attaching the holder to the portable chair. The integral body portion consists of an annular band having an inside diameter sized to receive a hand-held container, first and second arcuate legs, and a horizontal double-beam-flange member which cooperate to securely and removably hold and support a container placed within the annular band. The annular band may include a discontinuity to accommodate the passage through the annular band of a protruding part of the container, for example, a cup handle. The clamping means is affixed to an end of the horizontal double-beam-flange member so as to provide a means for removably attaching the holder to a portable chair.

Abstract: The invention relates to medium carbon steels and low alloy steels having a concentration of a machinability enhancing agent (“MEA”), i.e. tin and/or antimony, at its ferrite grain boundaries which enhances the steel's machinability and to processes for producing such steels. The invention encompasses medium carbon steels and low alloy steels characterized by having MEA bulk contents of from about 0.02 to about 0.09 weight percent, by having the sum of the MEA bulk content and the copper bulk content being no greater than about 0.10 weight percent, and by having a microstructure at the time of machining having a concentration of MEA at ferrite grain boundaries in an amount at least about five times the MEA bulk content of the steel.

Abstract: The invention relates to free-machining steels which do not rely on lead as a means of enhancing machinability. Instead, the steels of the invention employ concentrations of tin, arsenic, and/or antimony at ferrite grain boundaries to replicate a role of lead, which the inventors have discovered, in enhancing machinability. This role is to cause an embrittlement at the localized cutting zone temperatures by changing the fracture mode from transgranular to intergranular at those temperatures. The invention's use of concentrations of tin, arsenic, and/or antimony at the ferrite grain boundaries of the steel permits the machinability-enhancing effect to be obtained while employing bulk contents of tin, arsenic, and/or antimony below the levels at which hot tearing becomes problematic.

Abstract: An apparatus for the field milling of a pocket into a railroad stock rail to accommodate the precise nesting abutment of a switch point rail thereto avoids the necessity of milling such pockets under shop conditions and permits the use of Continuous Welded Rail (CWR) through railroad switches. The portable, self-propelled apparatus is adapted to the field milling of pockets into stock rails to accept the selectable placement of a movable switch rail therein and is powered by a portable power supply that may be either auxiliary or integral. The apparatus comprises components which are preferably fluid-powered. The apparatus clamps onto the stock rail and comprises a positionable milling assembly inclined at the angle necessary for milling the desired pocket into the stock rail. The apparatus moves the apparatus along the stock rail at a controlled speed whereby the milling head is fed along the stock rail during the milling operation.