Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a tube and a sheet of niobium-containing zirconium alloys for the high burn-up nuclear fuel. The method comprises melting Nb-added zirconium alloy to ingot; forging the ingot at &bgr; phase range; &bgr;-quenching the forged ingot after solution heat-treatment at 1015-1075° C.; hot-working the quenched ingot at 600-650° C.; cold-working the hot-worked ingot in three to five passes, with intermediate vacuum annealing; and final vacuum annealing the cold-worked ingot at 440-600° C., wherein temperatures of intermediate vacuum annealing and final vacuum annealing after &bgr;-quenching are changed so as to attain the condition under which precipitates in the alloy matrix are limited to an average diameter of 80 nm or smaller and the accumulated annealing parameter (&Sgr; A) is limited to 1.0×10−18 hr or lower.

Abstract: A composition for metal surface treatment which comprises an aluminum ion, a magnesium ion, a manganese ion, a water-soluble organic resin, an acid and water; and a surface treated metal material which has been treated with the composition. The resultant surface treated metal material is free from the danger of water contamination owing to chromium, since the composition is free of chromium, and also is excellent in both electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance. Accordingly, the metal material can be used in a wide variety of applications in place of a conventional chromate-treated steel sheet and the like.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a WC—Co cutting metal alloy for a component or a tool insert, which is shaped from a corresponding cutting metal blank by means of an electrical discharge processing method. The WC fraction in the carbide phase of the cutting metal alloy is more than 90 wt %; the binder phase consists mostly of cobalt and is 8 to 15 wt % with reference to the cutting metal alloy. 0.1 to 3 wt % of one or more metals from the group Re, Ge, Ga, Ir, Os, Pd, Ag, Au, Pt, Te, Sb, Rh, and Ru, with reference to the binder phase, are dissolved in the binder phase.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method of lowering the net resistivity of an interconnect by depositing a monomer layer upon an aluminum bonding pad, the treatment thereof to cross link the monomer to form an electrically conductive polymer, and simultaneously, the substantial reduction of alumina, Al2O3, to metallic aluminum. In the method of the present invention, deposition of a monomer layer in a solvent, volatilization of the solvent, and contact with a strong oxidizer such as a potassium permanganate allows for the use of the strong oxidizer without the hindrance of having to deal with a manganese oxide husk on the surface of the aluminum bonding pad. Preferably, the chemical qualities of the monomer will include the tendency to be a reducing agent to the native oxide film of the bonding pad. By selecting a monomer that tends to reduce rather than to oxidize, the problem of thickening the native oxide film is avoided.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode according to this invention comprises the steps of: dissolving a particle surface of said hydrogen-absorbing alloy by a surface-treatment solution; and washing the hydrogen-absorbing alloy with the particle surface dissolved using an alkaline solution at a temperature of 30° C.˜40° C. The metal ions dissolved by the surface-treatment solution can be completely washed away by the alkaline solution so that they will not be precipitated onto the surface of the hydrogen-absorbing alloy again as the hydroxide.

Abstract: A direct displacement plating process provides a uniform, adherent coating of a relatively stable metal (e.g., nickel) on a highly reactive metal (e.g., aluminum) that is normally covered with a recalcitrant oxide layer. The displacement reaction proceeds, preferably in a nonaqueous solvent, as the oxide layer is dissolved by a fluoride activator. Halide anions are used to provide high solubility, to serve as an anhydrous source of stable metal ions, and to control the rate of the displacement reaction. A low concentration of activator species and little or no solution agitation are used to cause depletion of the activator species within pores in the surface oxide so that attack of the reactive metal substrate is minimized. Used in conjunction with electroless nickel deposition to thicken the displacement coating, this process can be used to render aluminum pads on IC chips solderable without the need for expensive masks and vacuum deposition operations.

Abstract: This self-compensating spiral for a mechanical spiral balance-wheel oscillator in watchwork or other precision instrument, made of a paramagnetic alloy, contains at least one of the elements Nb, V, Ta, Ti, Zr, Hf and is covered with a substantially uniform oxide layer having a thickness greater than or equal to 20 nm, formed by subjecting the said spiral to an anodizing treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of Zintl compounds by thermal decomposition of heterometallic phosphinidene complexes. The heterometallic phosphinidene complex typically comprises at least two metals, at least one of which is selected from a Group I metal, M1, and another being a metal M2, selected from Group 13, 14 or 15 of the Periodic Table. The heterometallic phosphinidene complex further comprises one or more phosphinidene ligands, [PR], wherein R is typically a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group, and a Lewis base stabilizing ligand. Thermal decomposition of the heterometallic phosphinidene complexes in accordance with the invention forms a Zintl compound comprising metals M1 and M2 coordinated to Lewis base stabilizing ligands, Lg. The invention further provides a process for removal of the stabilizing ligand from the Zintl compounds to form an intermetallic compound.

Abstract: A boronizing agent in the form of a paste for the production of boride layers on metallic workpieces. The boronizing agent contains boron-releasing substances, activating substances and the remainder of inert, refractory extenders together with water and optionally auxiliaries required for paste formulation. It contains as additives: (a) calcium carbonate and/or lithium carbonate; (b) at least one compound from the group of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal nitrites; (c) at least one compound from the group of water soluble alkali metal and alkaline earth metal borates.

Abstract: Cladding tube for a fuel rod for a boiling water reactor fuel element, and its production. The cladding tube is composed practically homogeneously of the constituents of zircaloy and, with the ductility parameter &ggr;=3{square root over ((kd))}/(fr)2≦3.5 (&ggr;=ductility parameter, KD=mean grain diameter; fr=Kearns factor), has an elongation at break of at least 20%, set by low-temperature treatment of an extruded tube blank. The starting body used for the extrusion has a defined distribution of precipitated secondary particles which is produced by &bgr;-quenching and differs in the areas which form the inner surface and outer surface of the extruded tube. At the inner surface, the particles have a greater diameter and are at a greater average distance apart, this distribution being described by the “spacing”.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conversion coating solution containing polymetalates and/or heteropolymetalates to oxidize the surface of various metal substrates. The polymetalates have the general formula MxOyn−, where M is selected from the group comprising Mo, V and W. The heteropolymetalates have the general formula BMxOyn−, where B is a heteroatom selected from P, Si, Ce, Mn or Co, and M is again selected from Mo, V, W or combinations thereof. The concentration of polymetalates and/or heteropolymetalates anions is preferably between about 1% and about 5% by weight. Examples of typical anions used include, but are not limited to, (PMo12O40)3−, (PMo10V2O40)5−, (MnPW11O39)5−, (PW12O40)3−, (SiMo12O40)4−, (SiW12O40)4−, (Mo7O24)6−, (CeMo7O24)8−and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An article is protected with a wear-resistant coating. The wear-coated article is thereafter treated to produce a chemical conversion coating on any portions of the surface of the article accessible through micropores in the wear-resistant coating. For steel articles, the wear-resistant coating is preferably a titanium nitride-based intermetallic compound such as TiN, Ti2N, (TiAl)N, Ti(CN), (TiAl)(CN), ZrN, and CrN, and the chemical conversion coating is preferably a phosphate-based compound.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a solderable aluminum alloy having an aluminum alloy which is formable into a substrate. The aluminum alloy has 0.05-4.5% by weight of tin added to the aluminum alloy to be formed into the substrate. The invention is also directed to a process for preparing a solderable aluminum substrate. The process includes preparing an aluminum slug with 0.05-4.5% of tin added to the aluminum slug; then rolling the aluminum slug to the desired thickness for the substrate; finally forming the rolled slug into the final shaped of the substrate.

Abstract: A coating composition and process have been developed to provide an activated coating on nickel screen for use as cathodes in electrolytic cells for the generation of hydrogen and oxygen. Compared to the earlier Classical Pack Cementation process, the disclosed process is less expensive, reduces processing time from 20 hours to a few minutes, eliminates dusts and toxic gases, and provides improved performance in cells for hydrogen and oxygen generation. The coating is characterized by the presence of two activated layers with a high surface area, a multitude of fissures and a nickel to aluminum weight ratio greater than 20/1 in the top layer and greater than 4/1 in the bottom layer adjacent to the nickel substrate.

Abstract: Method for reducing in situ the electrochemical corrosion potential and susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking of a nickel-base alloy and boiling water nuclear reactor components formed therefrom when in contact with high temperature water. The method comprises the steps of: adding a metal hydride to the high temperature water; dissociating the metal hydride in the high temperature water to form a metal and at least one hydrogen ion; and reducing the concentration of the oxidizing species by reacting the hydrogen ions with an oxidizing species, thereby reducing in situ the electrochemical corrosion potential of the nickel-base alloy. The method may further include the steps of reacting the metal with oxygen present in the high temperature water to form an insoluble oxide and incorporating the metal into the surface of the nickel-base alloy, thereby reducing the electrical conductivity of the surface of the nickel-base alloy.

Abstract: A method for forming a chromium-rich layer on the surface of a nickel alloy workpiece containing chromium includes heating the workpiece to a stable temperature of about 1100° C., and then exposing the workpiece to a gaseous mixture containing water vapor and one or more non-oxidizing gases for a short period of time. The process conditions are compatible with high temperature annealing and can be performed simultaneously with, or in conjunction with, high temperature annealing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing workpieces suitable for phosphatizing for chipless cold forming by acid pickling, rinsing, drying and treatment with acid reaction lubricants containing phosphate ions. According to said method the workpieces are rinsed before drying with a solution which contains lactic acid, has a pH below 3 and preferably a temperature of between 60 and 80° C. Preferred embodiments of the invention consist of rinsing the workpieces with a solution which in addition contains phosphoric acid, has a lactic acid concentration of between 1 and 50 g/l and a weight ratio of lactic acid to phosphoric acid of between 1:9 and 9:1.

Abstract: At least any one of a bearing member (inner race, outer race and rolling element) is formed with a steel material containing 0.2 to 1.2 wt % of C, 0.7 to 1.5 wt % of Si, 0.5 to 1.5 wt % of Mo, 0.5 to 2.0 wt % of Cr, and 12 ppm or less of O. The bearing member is treated with carbonitriding, and thereafter, quenching and tempering so as to provide carbon concentration in the steel surface being 0.8 to 1.3 wt % and nitrogen concentration on the same being 0.2 to 0.8 wt %.

Abstract: A Co-based saw tip for attachment to saw blades for cutting wood, the saw tip formed from an alloy containing Mo in an amount from about 4 to about 20% by weight, Cr, C, and the balance Co. Certain embodiments specifically avoid all W. The tip optionally further contains elements selected from the group consisting of Mn, Si, Ni, B and Fe.

Abstract: Agent for sealing metallic substrates, in particular zinc or zinc alloy substrates, characterized in that it consists of an aqueous dispersion of a) at least one silane derivative and b) a colloidal silica and/or colloidal silicate. This agent may be used for a direct coating of metallic substrates without chromatation.