Abstract: There is provided a method for making a divalent or polyvalent organic anion-intercalated hydrotalcite-like materials by first reacting a magnesium-containing powder and a transition alumina powder in an aqueous suspension to form a meixnerite intermediate. This intermediate is then contacted with a dicarboxylate or polycarboxylate anion to form a hydrotalcite-like material. The latter is then separated from the suspension. Representative materials include an oxalate-, succinate- or terephthalate-intercalated hydrotalcite-like material.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a plurality of multilayer structures which includes at least one recess defined by a nonplanar surface. The method comprising the step of: (a) providing a resilient, compliant material on over one or more stacks of layers including the area over the recess; (b) applying sufficient pressure to the stacks to cause the resilient, compliant material to fill the recess and laminate said stacks; (c) lifting the resilient, compliant material off the stack subsequent to the application of pressure; (d) providing one or more stacks of layers that have not been subjected to step (b); and (e) repeating steps (a)-(d). In a preferred embodiment of the invention steps (a)-(d) are repeated at least ten times without the need to change the resilient compliant material. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention steps (a)-(d) are repeated at least one hundred times.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal sheet workpiece into a three-dimensional object by subjecting the workpiece to a stretch forming process along at least two strain paths having slopes of opposite sign. The strain paths define a point on a forming limit curve that is shifted substantially from a forming limit curve generated by linear strain paths. The shift in forming limit curves allows a substantially higher strain state to be reached in the workpiece in comparison to a strain state achievable using linear strain paths to attain the same strain state in flowing metal into a die cavity. The three-dimensional object is formed by flowing workpiece metal into a die cavity in a manner that controls the position and magnitude of forces restraining the periphery of the workpiece such that metal flow into the cavity takes place along the strain paths having the slopes of opposite sign.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for holding a workpiece having an upper surface, a lower surface and a peripheral edge, in order to facilitate machining or working thereof. According to this method, a bed is provided that is adapted to support the workpiece, said bed having a nonplanar supporting surface so that when the workpiece is supported thereby, a plurality of evacuation spaces are formed between the lower surface of the workpiece and the nonplanar surface of the bed. The bed is also provided with a plurality of vacuum ports that extend therethrough, which ports are in fluid communication with the evacuation spaces so that at least one port communicates with each such space. In the practice of the method a continuous flexible tape is secured to and along the peripheral edge of the workpiece, which tape has a continuous flexible lip portion that curves generally outwardly from the edge of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a metal matrix composite containing electrically isolated areas and the MMC formed from the method. The method comprises: (a) providing a liquid pool of unreinforced aluminum alloy; (b) infiltrating the unreinforced aluminum alloy into a stack comprising upper and lower porous preforms and an electrical insulator material placed between the preforms; (c) solidifying the liquid-phase metal to form a metal matrix composite product that completely surrounds the stack; and (d) forming at least one groove in the solidified metal, the groove extending downward to at least one insulating substrate so as to electrically isolate at least one region on the surface of the metal matrix composite.

Abstract: A glass fiber reinforced building panel is made by extruding molten first and second webs of polymer compounds through spaced die openings, positioned a glass fiber mat between the first and second webs, pressing the webs and mat together, and cooling to form a building panel. The building panel of the invention has improved fire retardance and better field cutting and sawing performance compared with conventional, unreinforced building panels.

Abstract: A method for coating strip material by applying polymer resin having a high solids content to at least one face of strip material with a coating roll having a pattern of grooves in the surface of the roll and curing the polymer resin on said strip.

Abstract: A die tool wear monitor and analysis system identifies tooling wear, variations in the quality of the manufactured product, and undesired operational conditions within a press. A first signal indicates the angular position of a reciprocating ram and a second signal indicates the force differential present between the tooling components. The second signal is plotted relative to the first signal and defines a value of force differential for selected positions of the upper and lower tooling relative to each other. Preferred values consisting of at least one upper and one lower limit are established for each of the second signals with respect to each of the first signals. The second signal is compared to the established preferred values and when it falls beyond them, the manufacture part is ejected and/or the operation of the conversion press is terminated.

Abstract: An improved can body maker apparatus has a ram system that incorporates a ram guidance mechanical linkage that supports the linear motion of the ram and translates non linear circular motion of the crank into the linear motion of the ram.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the presence material irregularities and holes in thin walled opaque objects such as can ends having a generally centrally disposed integral rivet formed therein. A radiation source is focused so that a substantial portion of emitted radiation is concentrated on the portion of a can end in which the rivet is formed.

Abstract: A method of preparing a metal alloy product from a powder blend. The method comprising: (a) cold pressing a blend to form a compact, the metal blend comprising a metal powder phase and at least one reinforcement phase having a hardness greater than the metal phase; (b) heating the compact to form a preheated compact; and (c) hot working the heated compact. In a preferred method, the powder metal blend comprises 50 to 90 vol. % of an aluminum alloy powder and 10 to 50 vol. % of silicon carbide; the heating of the compact perforated in a nitrogen atmosphere to form a preheated compact; and the extruded hot compact is hot worked. Hot working may take the form of forging, rolling, upset forging, exuding, compacting or other processes known in the art.

Abstract: A method for necking an end of a metal container include effecting initial deformation, generally radially inwardly, of an axial portion to establish a necked-in generally convex transition portion and an adjacent portion disposed between the transition portion and the container end which is initially generally cylindrical. Both portions are of reduced diameter with respect to the original can body diameter. Sequentially, through the series of formation steps, the portion to be necked in is further reduced in diameter to produce an outwardly generally convex portion disposed in underlying relationship with respect to an outwardly concave portion. A generally, radially, outwardly directed flange may be established within the end section of the necked-in portion. Apparatus to perform the foregoing forming steps consists of a plurality of die means which are subjected to relative axial movement and contact and reshape the exterior of the container portion that is to be necked in.

Abstract: A system and method for computer controlled flexible manufacturing of aluminum articles having patterns thereon is disclosed. The pattern is digitized or otherwise reduced to computer-readable format and then printed onto an aluminum article under computer control. The pattern is preferably printed using an ink jet, dot matrix color printer which has been modified to feed the aluminum substrate in an essentially flat manner. The pattern can be sealed within the anodized coating of the aluminum article for permanence.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved memory disk stock comprised of an alloy composition which includes: about 1-11 wt. % magnesium, preferably between about 2-7 wt. % Mg; up to about 0.3 wt. % zirconium, preferably about 0.02-0.25 wt. % Zr; up to about 0.2 wt. % iron, up to about 0.2 wt. % silicon, and about 0.05-1 wt. % of a dispersoid-forming element selected from scandium, erbium, thulium, lutetium, ytterbium, hafnium and yttrium, the balance aluminum and incidental elements and impurities. With preferably about 0.1-0.45 wt. % of scandium added to such compositions, these disk stocks exhibit a two- to three-fold increase in strength over the same compositions without any scandium added. They result in magnetic media recording devices having improved temperature resistance with average yield strengths of 30 ksi or more. There is also claimed an improved method for making such memory disk devices.

Abstract: A method for reducing the coefficient of friction and wear at the interface of two ceramic surfaces at temperatures above approximately 600.degree. F. The method comprising the steps of: a) providing a first and second ceramic surface; b) providing a lubricant selected from the group consisting of p-dodecylphenol, C26 and organophosphorus compounds; and c) applying the lubricant to the interface of the first and second ceramic surfaces at temperatures above approximately 600.degree. F. to reduce the coefficient of friction at the interface.

Abstract: An improved can body maker apparatus has a drive system for reciprocating a ram. The drive system includes a crank having a first half and a second half, both being adapted for rotational movement about a first axis in the can body maker apparatus. A brake disk is fixedly mounted on the crank first half. A crank arm is mounted on the crank second half. The brake disk and the crank arm define therebetween a second axis. A connecting rod is supported for rotational movement about the second axis. The connecting rod is adapted for mechanical communication with the body maker ram. The brake disk and the crank arm define in combination at least one additional second axis, wherein the rotation of the crank arm about the additional second axis changes the throw of the connecting rod for each revolution of the drive system crank.

Abstract: A method of reducing the agglomeration of inorganic powdered material, the method comprising: (a) providing an inorganic powdered material comprising ceramic particles; (b) coating the ceramic particles with a solution containing from 0.05-0.5 wt. % of a polysiloxanol oligomer of a trialkoxysiloxane monomer having the structure Si(OR').sub.3 wherein R' represents a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy group selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, isopropyl and n-butyl and wherein the oligomer has chains having a number average distribution with a number average degree of polymerization X.sub.n in the range above 2 but below the gel point; and (c) drying the inorganic powdered material.

Abstract: A method of forming a highly-deflective surface on aluminum alloys. The, the composition comprising: cleaning a body formed from an aluminum alloy; electrobrightening the body; and desmutting the surface of the freshly-brightened body without etching. The bath comprises: 15-95 vol. % nitric acid and 1-85 vol. % acetic acid; 1-40 vol. % total water; and a source of fluoride ion supplying at least 35 grams per liter of fluoride. Ammonium bifluoride is the preferred source of fluoride.

Abstract: A bright rolled metal strip product having a surface that contains multiple microscopic raised prows formed by partial back extrusion of strip material into smooth, bowl-shaped depressions provided in a work roll surface. The prows are formed by smearing of the strip surface that results from the relative velocities of the strip and work rolls that occurs when massive reductions are taken in the thickness of the strip by the work rolls.

Abstract: A panel member consisting of inner and outer interconnected panels, and reinforcement members placed therebetween to increase the strength of said panel in localized areas. The reinforcements consist of a structure made up of a base material of plastic or aluminum and an insert material of a hard metal. Loads are transferred to the panel through the metal insert material and dissipated to the panel members through the base structure. In the illustrated arrangements, the reinforcement members are used, for example, in the latch and hinge areas of car hoods.