Abstract: An electroless palladium plating solution includes a polar solvent, at least one palladium salt, at least one non-nitrogenated complexing agent, an alkaline adjusting agent that adjusts the plating solution to a pH of at least 8.0, and a reducing agent. The plating solution, which is used for forming a layer of palladium on a surface of a substrate, yields a substantially pure palladium deposit on the substrate. Precipitation of reduced palladium in the plating solution is substantially prevented.

Abstract: Complex greases of overbased alkaline earth metal carboxylates are prepared by reacting an overbased alkaline earth metal salt of a fatty acid, wherein the alkaline earth metal salt has an alkaline earth metal content of at least 14.5% and a non-volatile matter content of at least 95% with conversion agents to form a grease precursor. The grease precursor is then reacted with complexing agents to form a predominantly vaterite containing non-Newtonian modified overbased metal carboxylate complex grease.

Abstract: Shelf stable, flowable liquids of overbased alkaline earth metal salts are prepared by reacting an alkaline earth metal base and a carboxylic acid in the presence of a hydrocarbon liquid, a polyol and an alcohol. The resulting overbased alkaline earth metal salts has an alkaline earth metal content of at least about 14.5% and a non-volatile matter content of at least about 95%.

Abstract: Grease precursors of overbased alkaline earth metal carboxylates are prepared by reacting an alkaline earth metal base and a carboxylic acid in the presence of a hydrocarbon liquid, a polyol and an alcohol. The resulting grease precursor has amorphous calcium carbonate and a calcite content of greater than 10% by weight. At least one converting agent is added to the grease precursor containing elevated levels of calcite. This mixture is heated followed by the removal of water to form calcite-containing greases having a calcite content greater than 12.5% by weight.

Abstract: Lubricant compositions are made containing, as a metal protectant additive, an overbased amorphous alkaline earth metal salt of fatty acid. The additive is added in either a liquid or powdered form to the base oil in the composition. The overbased additive in the lubricating composition serves as a metal protectant to provide detergency, friction-modifying and acid-neutralizing properties to the compositions.

Abstract: High theoretical density, metal-based materials containing graphite or hexagonal boron nitride have low coefficients of friction and wear rates are useful for bearings, bushings and other articles subject to bearing loads.

Abstract: Lubricant compositions are made containing, as a metal protectant additive, an overbased amorphous alkaline earth metal salt of fatty acid. The additive is added in either a liquid or powdered form to the base oil in the composition. The overbased additive in the lubricating composition serves as a metal protectant to provide detergency, friction-modifying and acid-neutralizing properties to the compositions.

Abstract: Shelf stable haze free liquids of overbased alkaline earth metal salts are obtained by reacting metal base with fatty acids in the presence of liquid hydrocarbon and aliphatic alcohols having at least 8 carbon atoms to provide overbased liquids essentially free of a phenol or a phenolic derivative. Stabilizer compositions containing the overbased liquids and mixed metal stabilizers of zinc, cadmium and tin are provided for stabilizing halogen-containing polymers.

Abstract: Shelf stable haze free liquids of overbased alkaline earth metal salts are obtained by reacting metal base with fatty acids in the presence of liquid hydrocarbon and aliphatic alcohols having at least 8 carbon atoms to provide overbased liquids essentially free of a phenol or a phenolic derivative. Stabilizer compositions containing the overbased liquids and mixed metal stabilizers of zinc, cadmium and tin are provided for stabilizing halogen-containing polymers.

Abstract: A method of converting metal-containing or metal alloy-containing compounds into a metal or metal alloy by rapidly heating the metal-containing or metal alloy-containing compound to an elevated temperature to instigate conversion and holding the metal-containing or metal alloy-containing compound at the elevated temperature for a time sufficient to effect formation of the metal or metal alloy is an efficient and economical method of producing metals and metal alloys.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing metallic platelets. By determining the ratio of the diameter of the metal source to the thickness of the metallic platelet and the workability of the metal source, a high quality metallic platelet can be developed. According to this method, the platelets that are produced can be used in such applications as building and construction materials for improved weather-resistance, heat-reflection/management, anti-fouling resistance and architectural appearance.

Abstract: Powdered overbased amorphous alkaline earth salts are made which consist essentially of isolated solid agglomerated micelles of amorphous alkaline earth metal salts complexed with an amorphous alkaline earth metal carboxylate of a fatty acid. The process for making the powder involves precipitating and isolating the solid particles from liquid overbased alkaline earth metal compositions.

Abstract: An agglomerated stainless steel powder composition for use in rigid-die powder metallurgy is provided. The composition preferably comprises a pre-alloyed water atomized stainless steel powder and a water-soluble binder. It exhibits minimal dusting, segregation, and die galling, has good compressibility and flow rate, and produces a finished part essentially free of non-metal residues. Methods for making this agglomerated stainless steel powder composition are also provided. Improved stainless steel rigid-die powder metallurgical parts are also provided.

Abstract: Powdered overbased amorphous alkaline earth salts are made which consist essentially of isolated solid agglomerated micelles of amorphous alkaline earth metal salts complexed with an amorphous alkaline earth metal carboxylate of a fatty acid. The process for making the powder involves precipitating and isolating the solid particles from liquid overbased alkaline earth metal compositions.

Abstract: Liquid overbased calcium/barium/zinc ternary systems are provided for stabilizing halogen-containing polymers. These overbased ternary stabilizer systems are shelf stable liquids and provide polyvinyl chloride compositions with improvements in thermal stability, early color, clarity and plate-out resistance.

Abstract: Shelf stable haze free liquids of overbased alkaline earth metal salts are obtained by reacting metal base with fatty acids in the presence of liquid hydrocarbon and aliphatic alcohols having at least 8 carbon atoms to provide overbased liquids essentially free of a phenol or a phenolic derivative. Stabilizer compositions containing the overbased liquids and mixed metal stabilizers of zinc, cadmium and tin are provided for stabilizing halogen-containing polymers.

Abstract: A transition metal carbide is formed from a precursor mixture comprising at least one of the group consisting of: a transition metal, a transition metal carbide and a transition metal oxide. The precursor mixture may contain the desired transition metal carbide (e.g., WC), but if the desired transition metal carbide is present in the precursor mixture, there is necessarily a significant amount of another compound such as a transition metal oxide, undesired carbide (e.g., W2C) or transition metal.

Abstract: Shelf stable liquid overbased calcium carboxylates are prepared by reacting a calcium base with a monocarboxylic acid, and carbonating in the presence of a promoter mixture with a phenol and an alcohol under controlled temperature conditions, to produce shelf stable liquids. Mixed metal stabilizer compositions are prepared by blending the stable liquid calcium carboxylate with a metal carboxylate of zinc, cadmium or tin. The mixed metal carboxylates are also shelf stable and are used for stabilizing halogen-containing polymers to provide heat stability, clarity and improved plate out properties.

Abstract: A pressable powder is formed by a method comprising [I] mixing, in essentially deoxygenated water, [A] a first powder selected from the group consisting of a transition metal carbide and transition metal with [B] an additional component selected from the group consisting of (i) a second powder comprised of a transition metal carbide, transition metal or mixture thereof; (ii) an organic binder and (iii) combination thereof and [II] drying the mixed mixture to form the pressable powder, wherein the second powder is chemically different than the first powder. The pressable powder may then be formed into a shaped part and subsequently densified into a densified part, such as a cemented tungsten carbide.

Abstract: A transition metal carbide-Group VIII metal powder comprising discrete particles of a transition metal carbide and Group VIII metal wherein: substantially all of the particles have a size of at most 0.4 micrometer; the transition metal carbide is selected from carbides of the group consisting of tungsten, titanium, tantalum, molybdenum, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, chromium, mixtures and solid solutions thereof; and the Group VIII metal is selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel, mixtures and solid solutions thereof. Said powders are produced by heating an admixture comprising a finishing source of carbon (e.g., acetylene black), a source of a group VIII metal (e.g., Co.sub.3 O.sub.