Abstract: A niobium-based superconductor is manufactured by establishing multiple niobium components in a billet of a ductile metal, working the composite billet through a series of reduction steps to form the niobium components into elongated elements, each niobium element having a thickness on the order of 1 to 25 microns, surrounding the billet prior to the last reduction step with a porous confining layer of an acid resistant metal, immersing the confined billet in an acid to remove the ductile metal from between the niobium elements while the niobium elements remain confined by said porous layer, exposing the confined mass of niobium elements to a material capable of reacting with Nb to form a superconductor.

Abstract: The present invention is a fly ash filler or filler blend having a particle size distribution with at least three modes that can be combined with a polymer at higher filler loadings to produce a filled polymer for polymer composites that, in many cases, can produce improved mechanical properties for the polymer composites over polymer composites using conventional fillers. As a result, superior polymer composites (e.g. those used in carpet backing) can be produced at a lower cost than conventional polymer composites. The present invention also includes a method for producing a polymer composite, comprising the steps of combining a polymer with a fly ash filler or a filler blend having a particle size distribution with at least three modes to produce a filled polymer and producing a polymer composite with the resulting filled polymer. The present invention further includes a method of determining what fly ashes can be used as fillers for polymer composites.

Abstract: A composite nonwoven fabric comprising multiple, layers of a web formed from a blended mixture of metal fibers and nonmetal fibers is provided. The metal fibers preferably have a rough outer surface with irregular shaped cross-sections that vary along their length. The fibers of adjacent layers of the web material are interengaged in a needlepunching step. The composite nonwoven fabrics of the invention, which have very good isotropic strength. In a preferred embodiment, the composite nonwoven fabric is employed as a floor buffing pad for use with an electric floor buffing apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is a fly ash filler or filler blend having a particle size distribution with at least three modes that when combined with asphalt produces asphalt composites such as roofing shingles with improved mechanical properties at a lower cost than asphalt shingles produced using conventional calcium carbonate fillers. The present invention also includes a method for producing an asphalt composite, comprising the steps of combining asphalt with a fly ash filler or a filler blend having a particle size distribution with at least three modes and producing an asphalt composite with the resulting filled asphalt. The present invention further includes a method of determining what fly ashes can be used as fillers for asphalt composites such as roofing shingles.

Abstract: A composition comprising fly ash particles with an average particle diameter of not greater than 100 micrometers and a moisture content of not greater than 0.25 percent by weight. The compositions are useful as both a filler and a colorant in polymer containing compositions, particularly polyvinyl chloride compositions for extruding pipes and conduits. Desirably, the composition is used at a filler loading level of from about 1 to about 80 parts by weight of the fly ash per hundred parts of the polymer. Fly ash-filled polyvinyl chloride compositions containing the fly ash as described meet commercial requirements and are economically and environmentally beneficial.

Abstract: A niobium-based superconductor is manufactured by establishing multiple niobium components in a billet of a ductile metal, working the composite billet through a series of reduction steps to form the niobium components into elongated elements, each niobium element having a thickness on the order of 1 to 25 microns, surrounding the billet prior to the last reduction step with a porous confining layer of an acid resistant metal, immersing the confined billet in an acid to remove the ductile metal from between the niobium elements while the niobium elements remain confined by said porous layer, exposing the confined mass of niobium elements to a material capable of reacting with Nb to form a superconductor.

Abstract: A nonwoven, metal fabric is formed by providing a mass of loose fibers with sufficient lubricating oil for them to be carded without disintegration of the fiber web. The fiber web is then lapped and needled to form a metal fabric of superior strength, density, and thermal insulation properties.

Abstract: A reinforced nonwoven metal fabric is disclosed. A mass of loose metal fibers is processed through suitable textile apparatus to result in a metal fiber web, which is then lapped to form a multi-layered structure. This structure is then formed into a metal fabric via needle-punching. A suitable backing is then introduced during or after the needle-punch process, resulting in a reinforced nonwoven metal fabric having superior strength and durability.

Abstract: Disclosed Is a process for the fabrication of rare earth or rare earth alloy materials in the form of fine wires for refrigeration regenerator applications. The wire is a composite consisting of a metal core and a metal sheath. The core material is comprises of at least a 20 atomic percent portion of rare earth metal as a pure metal, an alloy with other rare earth metals, or an intermetallic compound alloy with one or more non rare earth metals. The sheath material is essentially immiscible with the rare earth in the core, has no magnetic phase transitions in the temperature range for the intended operation, and has good corrosion and oxidation resistance. The sheath material is typically a small portion of the total composite wire cross section. The composite wire is fabricated from the co-reduction of an assembled billet by conventional wire processing techniques.

Abstract: Porous metal compacts suitable for use as electrodes are formed through the reduction of a metal billet consisting of multiple filaments of an appropriate valve metal, preferably tantalum, contained within, and spaced apart by, a ductile metal, preferably copper. The filaments are elongated and substantially parallel within the billet. The array of valve metal filaments within the billet is surrounded by a continuous layer of valve metal. This metal is preferably, but not necessarily, the same as that which forms the filaments. The valve metal layer preferably completely surrounds the filament array circumferentially and runs the full length of the filaments. The layer is separated from the array by the same ductile metal that serves to separate the filaments from each other. This same ductile metal forms the surface of the billet, preventing exposure of the valve metal layer.

Abstract: A water based crackle finish for surfaces includes a base coating having a low molecular weight polymer dissolved in an aqueous solution. Disposed on the dried base coating is a coating having an aqueous emulsion of a high molecular weight polymer which is dried. If desired, a stain coating, a sealer coating and a glaze coating and combinations thereof may be disposed on the surface under the base coating. Also, if desired, a fly-speck coating and a top coating may be applied over the crackle coating. A method of applying the coating is disclosed.

Abstract: The method is a technique for making silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers which are suitable for use in the production of CMOS devices, which are designed to operate with low power and low voltage. The method of the invention provides high quality SOI material at relatively low cost by implanting, in one form of the invention, a very low dose of nitrogen or oxygen ions at a very low energy into silicon, and thereafter diffusing oxygen during an annealing process to form a continuous buried layer of silicon-oxy-nitride (Si.sub.x,O.sub.y N.sub.z, or SON) or SiO.sub.2. The process includes using an ion beam to implant ions into the substrate, thereby damaging a region of the crystal. The feed gas for the ion beam may be a variety of nitro-oxide gases, such as NO, N.sub.2 O, NO.sub.2, as well as a simple mixture of nitrogen and oxygen gases. Other elemental ions may be implanted to create the desired crystal defects.

Abstract: A new class of ductile iron is formed by the hot isostatic pressing of a ductile iron casting, followed by austempering of the ductile iron casting. Hot isostatic pressing can be carried out at a pressure in the range of 10,000 to 17,000 psi at a temperature above 1600.degree. F., and usually in the range of 1850.degree. F. to 2050.degree. F. Austempering of the material is carried out by heating to the austenitizing temperature (about 1500.degree. F. to 1800.degree. F.), maintaining the austenitizing temperature for a suitable time period, and rapidly cooling to an austempering temperature (about 400.degree. F. to 750.degree. F.) to form ausferrite within the sample.

Abstract: A method for producing a superconductor by partial inter diffusion of layers of metal under a diffusion heat treatment to provide a ductile beta phase alloy, along with undiffused metal layers to permit ease of extrusion and drawing to fine layer thickness. At some point in the reduction the layers are further diffused to give an alloy superconducting product which is optimal for the high field (5-9 T) of interest in contact with a non-superconducting layer. This optimal diffusion is preferably accomplished after a sufficient reduction such that the individual metal layers are 2.5-15 microns thick.

Abstract: Plasma deposition or etching apparatus is provided which comprises a plasma source located above and in axial relationship to a substrate process chamber. The plasma source may include a sapphire or alumina source tube for use with plasmas containing fluorine. Surrounding the plasma source are an inner magnetic coil and an outer magnetic coil arranged in the same plane perpendicular to the axis of the plasma source and the substrate process chamber. Preferably a first current is provided through the inner coil and a second current in a direction opposite to the direction of the first current is provided through the outer coil. The inner and outer coils are wrapped with a thin sheet of conducting material to shield the coils from RF signal generated by the plasma source.

Abstract: Plasma deposition or etching apparatus is provided which comprises a plasma source located above and in axial relationship to a substrate process chamber. Surrounding the plasma source are an inner magnetic coil and an outer magnetic coil arranged in the same plane perpendicular to the axis of the plasma source and the substrate process chamber. Preferably, a first current is provided through the inner coil and a second current in a direction opposite to the direction of the first current is provided through the outer coil. The result is to advantageously shape the magnetic field in the process chamber to achieve extremely uniform processing, particularly when a unique diamond shaped pattern of gas feed lines is used wherein the diamond is arranged to be approximately tangent at four places to the outer circumference of the workpiece being processed in the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to metal filaments for use as fuel additives for rocket propellants, explosives, and other pyrotechnic devices. Preferred filaments are those such as zirconium, niobium and titanium (and alloys thereof) which have very high heat of combustion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to metal filaments for use as fuel additives for rocket propellants, explosives, and other pyrotechnic devices. Preferred filaments are those such as zirconium, niobium and titanium (and alloys thereof) which have very high heat of combustion.

Abstract: A superconducting article has a matrix core containing a superconductor, a copper stabilizer layer disposed about the core, and an insulating layer surrounding the copper stabilizer layer. The insulating layer is a metallurgically bonded layer of a refractory metal selected from Nb, Ta, V, and Mo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to metal filaments for use as fuel additives for rocket propellants, explosives, and other pyrotechnic devices. Preferred filaments are those such as zirconium, niobium and titanium (and alloys thereof) which have very high heat of combustion.