Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing Ni,Zr-based alloy comprising 5 to 20% by weight of titanium (Ti), 10 to 37% by weight of zirconium (Zr), 5 to 30% by weight of manganese (Mn), 0.01 to 15% by weight of tungsten (W), 6 to 30% by weight of iron (Fe), and optionally at least one of 0.1 to 7% by weight of Cu, 0.05 to 6% by weight of Cr and 0.01 to 5% by weight of Al, and balance nickel (Ni) and unavoidable impurities; and a sealed Ni-hydrogen rechargeable battery comprising a negative electrode provided with a hydrogen absorbing alloy as an active material, an Ni positive electrode, a separator and an alkaline electrolytic solution, wherein the hydrogen absorbing alloy is composed of such hydrogen absorbing Ni,Zr-based alloy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Ni-base alloy which contains Mo, Al and Fe, and further, as required, one or more of the following: a group consisting of one or more of V, W, Cr and Cu; one or both of B and Ca; and Co. The alloy of the invention has excellent resistance to stress corrosion cracking even after being subjected to thermal processing such as welding without need for solution treatment thereafter.

Abstract: A zinc cast alloy is disclosed which contains, by weight, 15-60% Al, 0.05-3% Cu, 0.5-7% Si, 0.01-0.8% Mn, optionally 0.005-0.12% P and/or Na, balance Zn and incidental impurities. The alloy has a high damping characteristic, concurrently with good intergranular corrosion resistance and high resistance to both room and elevated temperatures. To achieve values of more than 1.times.10.sup.-3 (internal friction of Q.sup.-1), 20 .mu.m (corrosion depth) or less, 10 kg/mm.sup.2 or more (0.2% yield strength) at room temperature, and 20 kg/mm.sup.2 or more at elevated temperature of 100.degree. C., the alloy has to be subjected to a solution-heat treatment in the range of 300.degree.-400.degree. C., followed by a rapid cooling, preferably a water quench.

Abstract: An apparatus for pulling single crystals of dissociative compounds, with a volatile component gas sealed in a growth chamber at a controlled pressure thereof, is disclosed, wherein the chamber is made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of ceramics, gas-tight carbon, heat-resistant metallic materials, ceramic-coated carbon and ceramic-coated heat-resistant metallic materials, the chamber can be divided, with a structure of the divided portion of the chamber capable of being sealed by making use of a sealing material with a pressure exerted on the seal, and an optical window is disposed in the chamber through which the growing state of the crystal in the chamber can be observed.

Abstract: A cutting method comprising using a main body in the form of a circular disk and a hard layer provided on one surface of the main body and having a thickness of 0.02 to 0.2 mm. The hard layer is made of cemented carbides, TiC TaC, Cr.sub.2 C.sub.3, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 or the like, while the main body is made of a material, such as steel, non-ferrous metal or plastics, which is lower than the hard layer in abrasion resistance. The hard layer is formed along its outer periphery with a cutting edge which is self-sharpened when chipped.

Abstract: An improved method of preparing optical fiber preforms and optical fibers by so called rod-in-tube method, wherein before collapsing a tube to heat-adhere to a rod, a specific glass surface treating agent and oxygen gas are flowed through the clearance between the rod and the tube maintained at a high temperature, whereby an optical fiber preform free from imperfections at the interface between the rod and the tube can be produced so as to give optical fibers of low-loss. As the above glass surface treating agent, those materials are employed which satisfy the following criteria: (i) the hydrogen content thereof being not more than about 1% by weight, and (ii) the substances, produced therefrom in the presence of oxygen gas at a high temperature, having a boiling point or sublimation point of not more than the temperature required for collapsing the tube.

Abstract: A process for treatment of lead residues, without prior sintering, in which residues more than 70% of the lead is present as lead sulphates, comprising addition of the said residues, together with a reductant containing carbon and together with fluxes that will react to provide a slag containing FeO, CaO and SiO.sub.2, directly to an electric furnace operating at a temperature of 1000 to 1500.degree. C in the slag layer to produce in the furnace a lead bullion. The expression "lead sulphates" will be understood to include lead sulphate and other compounds containing lead and the sulphate ion, for example, the basic lead sulphates.

Abstract: A sintered article of a titanium alloy is produced by powder metallurgy techniques, the alloy having uniform structure, and improved mechanical properties, machinability and weldability.