Abstract: A precipitation hardenable, martensitic stainless steel alloy is disclosed. The alloy has the following composition in weight percent, about C ?0.03 max Mn ?1.0 max Si ?0.75 max P 0.040 max S 0.020 max Cr 10-13 Ni 10.5-11.6 Mo 0.25-1.5? Co 0.5-1.5 Cu ?0.75 max Ti 1.5-1.8 Al 0.3-0.8 Nb 0.3-0.8 B 0.010 max N 0.030 max The balance is iron and usual impurities. The disclosed alloy provides a unique combination of corrosion resistance, strength, and toughness.

Abstract: A quench and temper steel alloy is disclosed having the following composition in weight percent. C 0.2-0.5 Mn 0.1-1.0 Si 0.1-1.2 Cr ??9-14.5 Ni 3.0-5.5 Mo 1-2 Cu ??0-1.0 Co 1-4 W 0.2 max. V 0.1-1.0 Ti up to 0.5 Nb ??0-0.5 Ta ??0-0.5 Al ??0-0.25 Ce ??0-0.01 La ??0-0.01 The balance of the alloy is iron and the usual impurities including not more than about 0.01% phosphorus, not more than about 0.010% sulfur, and not more than about 0.10% nitrogen. A quenched and tempered steel article made from this alloy is also disclosed. The steel article is characterized by a tensile strength of at least about 290 ksi, a fracture toughness (KIc) of at least about 65 ksi, good resistance to general corrosion, and good resistance to pitting corrosion.

Abstract: A stainless steel strip article is disclosed. The article is formed from a corrosion resistant alloy having the following composition in weight percent, about: C ?0.03 max. Mn ?1.0 max. Si ?0.75 max. P 0.040 max. S 0.020 max. Cr 10.9-11.1 Ni 10.9-11.1 Mo 0.9-1.1 Ti 1.5-1.6 Al ?0.25 max. Nb 0.7-0.8 Cu ???1 max. B 0.010 max. N 0.030 max. The balance is iron and usual impurities. The elongated thin strip article provides a room temperature tensile strength of at least about 280 ksi in the solution treated and age hardened condition. A method of making the strip article and a method of using it to make a golf club are also disclosed.

Abstract: A high strength, high toughness steel alloy is disclosed. The alloy has the following broad weight percent composition. Element Broad C 0.35-0.55 Mn 0.6-1.2 Si 0.9-2.5 P 0.01 max. S 0.001 max.? Cr 0.75-2.0? Ni 3.5-7.0 Mo + ½ W 0.4-1.3 Cu 0.5-0.6 Co 0.01 max. V + (5/9) × Nb 0.2-1.0 Fe Balance Included in the balance are the usual impurities found in commercial grades of steel alloys produced for similar use and properties. Also disclosed is a hardened and tempered article that has very high strength and fracture toughness. The article is formed from the alloy having the broad weight percent composition set forth above. The alloy article according to this aspect of the invention is further characterized by being tempered at a temperature of about 500° F. to 600° F.

Abstract: A method of making steel wire includes the step of forming a length of wire from an alloy that preferably contains in weight percent: Carbon 0.03 max. Manganese 0.15 max. Silicon 0.15 max. Phosphorus 0.015 max.? Sulfur 0.010 max.? Chromium 19.00-21.00 Nickel 33.00-37.00 Molybdenum ?9.00-10.50 Titanium 1.00 max. Boron 0.010 max.? Iron 1.00 max. The balance is cobalt and usual impurities. The wire is annealed at a combination of temperature and time effective to provide a grain size of about ASTM 6 or finer and is then drawn to provide a reduction in cross-sectional area of about 50 to 80%. The wire is—then heat treated under temperature and time conditions effective to provide the wire with high strength and sufficient wrap ductility that the wire does not crack or break in a standardized wrap test.

Abstract: A high strength, high toughness steel alloy is disclosed. The alloy has the following weight percent composition. Element C 0.30-0.47 Mn 0.8-1.3 Si 1.5-2.5 Cr 1.5-2.5 Ni 3.0-5.0 Mo + ½ W 0.7-0.9 Cu 0.70-0.90 Co ?0.01 max. V + ( 5/9) × Nb 0.10-0.25 Ti 0.005 max. Al 0.015 max. Fe Balance Included in the balance are the usual impurities found in commercial grades of steel alloys produced for similar use and properties including not more than about 0.01% phosphorus and not more than about 0.001% sulfur. Also disclosed is a hardened and tempered article that has very high strength and fracture toughness. The article is formed from the alloy having the broad weight percent composition set forth above. The alloy article according to this aspect of the invention is further characterized by being tempered at a temperature of about 500° F. to 600° F.

Abstract: A small diameter, elongated steel article, comprising fully consolidated, prealloyed metal powder is disclosed. The consolidated metal powder has a microstructure that has a substantially uniform distribution of fine grains having a grain size of not larger than about 9 when determined in accordance with ASTM Standard Specification E 112. The microstructure of the consolidated metal powder is further characterized by having a plurality of substantially spheroidal carbides uniformly distributed throughout the consolidated metal powder that are not greater than about 6 microns in major dimension and a plurality of sulfides uniformly distributed throughout the consolidated metal powder wherein the sulfides are not greater than about 2 microns in major dimension. A process for making the elongated steel article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant, martensitic steel alloy having very good cold formability is described. The alloy has the following weight percent composition. Carbon 0.10-0.40 Manganese 0.01-2.0? Silicon ?2.0 max. Phosphorus ?0.2 max. Sulfur 0.030 max.? Chromium 10-15 Nickel ?0.5 max. Molybdenum 0.75-4.0? Nitrogen 0.02-0.15 Copper 1.5-4.0 Titanium 0.01 max. Aluminum 0.01 max. Niobium + Tantalum 0.10 max. Vanadium 0.20 max. Zirconium less than 0.001 Calcium less than 0.001 The balance of the alloy is essentially iron. Nickel and copper are balanced in the alloy such that the ratio Ni/Cu is less than 0.2. A second embodiment of the alloy contains at least about 0.005% sulfur, selenium, or a combination thereof to provide good machinability.

Abstract: Medical devices, such as endoprostheses, and methods of making the devices are disclosed. The endoprostheses comprise a tubular member capable of maintaining patency of a bodily vessel. The tubular member includes a mixture of at least two compositions, where the presence of the second composition gives the mixture a greater hardness than that of the first composition alone. The first composition includes less than about 25 weight percent chromium, less than about 7 weight percent molybdenum, from about 10 to about 35 weight percent nickel, and iron. The second composition is different from the first and is present from about 0.1 weight percent to about 5 weight percent of the mixture.

Abstract: A process for making a metal tool having controlled porosity is disclosed. The process includes the step of preparing metal powder by gas atomization. The metal powder is filled into a metal container. The powder-filled container is placed in a metal vessel and surrounded with glass frit. The metal vessel is then heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the glass frit. The metal vessel is then compacted under sufficient pressure to partially consolidate the metal powder so as to retain porosity therein in an amount sufficient to permit air to vent through the metal tool.

Abstract: A method of reducing the oxygen content of a powder is provided. A canister is prepared with a getter, filled with the powder to be densified, sealed and evacuated. The canister is subjected to a hydrogen atmosphere at an elevated temperature whereby hydrogen diffuses into the canister through the walls thereof. The hydroge forms moisture when reacted with the oxygen of the powder and the moisture in the reacted with the getter in order to remove oxygen from the powder to the getter. The atmosphere outside the canister is then altered to an inert atmosphere or vacuum, whereby hydrogen diffuses out of the canister. A dense body having a controlled amount of oxygen can thereafter be produced by conventional powder metallurgy techniques.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant, free-machining, magnetic stainless steel alloy is described. The alloy has the following weight percent composition: 0.025 max. C, 0.60 max. Mn, 1.0-2.0 Si, 0.035 max. P, 0.15-0.40 S, 12.0-14.0 Cr, 0.5 max. Ni, 0.5-1.3 Mo, 0.5-1.3 V, 0.5 max. Cu, 0.020 max. Al, 0.025 max. N, and the balance is iron and usual impurities.

Abstract: A precipitation hardenable stainless steel having the following weight percent composition is disclosed. C 0.030 max. Mn  0.5 max. Si  0.5 max. P 0.040 max. S 0.025 max. Cr  9-13 Ni 7-9 Mo 3-6 Cu  0.75 max. Co  5-11 Ti  1.0 max. Al 1.0-1.5 Nb  1.0 max. B 0.010 max. N 0.030 max. O 0.020 max. The balance of the alloy is essentially iron and the usual impurities. One or more rare earth metals or calcium may be included in the alloy for removing and/or stabilizing phosphorus and sulfur. The alloy provides a unique combination of strength, toughness, and ductility. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is described a useful article such as an aircraft structural component or a golf club head that is formed, at least in part, from the aforesaid alloy.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant, soft magnetic, ferritic steel alloy, a useful article made therefrom, and a method of using the alloy are described. The alloy has the following composition in weight percent. C 0.005-0.040 Mn  1.0 max. Si  1.0 max. P 0.050 max. S 0.020 max. Cr  27.0-30.0 Ni  0.35 max. Mo  0.35 max. Cu  0.35 max. Co  0.25 max. N 0.010-0.05 The balance is essentially iron and the usual impurities found in similar grades of ferritic stainless steels. In accordance with another aspect of this invention, there is disclosed a magnetic component for a magnetically actuated device such as a solenoid valve wherein the magnetic component is formed of the aforesaid alloy. In accordance with a further aspect of this invention, there is disclosed a solenoid valve that incorporates a movable magnetic core that is formed of the aforesaid alloy.

Abstract: A precipitation-hardenable, martensitic stainless steel alloy is described having the following composition in weight percent. C 0.030 max. Mn 1.00 max. Si 1.00 max. P 0.030 max. S 0.005-0.015 Cr 14.00-15.50 Ni 3.50-5.50 Mo 1.00 max. Cu 2.50-4.50 Nb + Ta (5 × C)-0.30 Al 0.05 max. B 0.010 max. N 0.030 max. and the balance is essentially iron and the usual impurities. The alloy provides a unique combination of properties in that useful articles made therefrom provide superior machining characteristics relative to known high strength 15Cr-5Ni precipitation-hardenable stainless steel alloys, while meeting the strength, ductility, and hardness requirements specified in AMS 5659 for critical applications.

Abstract: A tool steel alloy having a unique combination of hardness and toughness is disclosed. The alloy contains, in weight percent, about: wt. % C 1.85-2.30, Mn 0.15-1.0, Si 0.15-1.0, P 0.030 max., S 0-0.30, Cr 3.7-5.0, Ni+Cu 0.75 max., Mo 1.0 max., Co 6-12, W 12.0-13.5, V 4.5-7.5. The balance is essentially iron and usual impurities. The elements C, Cr, Mo, W, and V are balanced in this alloy such that −0.05≦&Dgr;C≦−0.42 where &Dgr;C=((0.033W)+(0.063Mo)+(0.06Cr)+(0.2V))−C. A powder metallurgy tool steel article made from consolidated alloy powder having the aforesaid weight percent composition provides a Rockwell C hardness of at least about 69.5 when heat treated.

Abstract: A free-machining, precipitation-hardenable, martensitic stainless steel is described that provides a unique combination of machinability, processability, and toughness. The broad compositional range of the steel alloy of the invention is as follows, in weight percent: C 0.030 max. Mn 0.75 max. Si 0.75 max.. P 0.040 max. S 0.15-0.35 Cr 14.0-15.5 Ni  5.0-6.0 Mo 0.50-1.2 Cu  3.0-4.0 Nb 0.10-0.30 B 0.010 max. N 0.030 max. The balance of the alloy is iron and the usual impurities found in commercial grades of martensitic precipitation-hardening stainless steels intended for similar use or service.

Abstract: A system and method for removing a coating from an elongated metal part or a bundle of such parts is described. The disclosed system includes a soaking vessel that contains a solution suitable for degreasing the metal part and softening the coating thereon. An ultrasonic cleaning vessel containing an aqueous cleaning solution cleans the coating off of the metal part by ultrasonic agitation. The system further includes at least one rinsing vessel for rinsing the cleaning solution of the cleaned part, and a drying vessel for rapidly and thoroughly drying the part after it has been rinsed. In the disclosed process, the elongated metal part, or a bundle of such parts, is/are soaked in a solution that is maintained at an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to soften the coating. The elongated metal part is then subjected to ultrasonic agitation in an aqueous cleaning solution bath at an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to loosen and dislodge the coating from the elongated metal part.

Abstract: A powder metallurgy article formed of a sulfur-containing, precipitation-hardenable, stainless steel alloy is described. The article has a unique combination of strength, ductility, processability, and machinability. The powder metallurgy article is formed of a stainless steel alloy having the following composition in weight percent. C 0.03 max. Mn 1.0 max. Si 0.75 max. P 0.040 max. S 0.010-0.050 Cr 10-14 Ni 6-12 Ti 0.4-2.5 Mo 6 max. B 0.010 max. Cu 4 max. Co 9 max. Nb 1 max. Al 1 max. Ta 2.5 max. N 0.03 max. The balance of the alloy is iron and the usual impurities. The powder metallurgy article according to this invention is characterized by a fine dispersions of titanium sulfides that are not greater than about 5 &mgr;m in major dimension. A method of preparing the powder metallurgy article is also described.

Abstract: A precipitation hardenable nickel base alloy that provides a novel combination of elevated temperature strength, ductility, and reduced notch sensitivity at temperatures up to about 1300° F. is described. The alloy contains, in weight percent, about Carbon 0.10 max. Manganese 0.35 max. Silicon 0.2-0.7 Phosphorus 0.03 max. Sulfur 0.015 max. Chromium 12-20 Molybdenum 4 max. Tungsten 6 max. Cobalt 5-12 Iron 14 max. Titanium 0.4-1.4 Aluminum 0.6-2.6 Niobium 3-7 Boron 0.003-0.015 the balance being nickel and usual impurities. An article made from the alloy and a method of making the alloy are also disclosed.