Abstract: A structural member is produced using starting powder consisting of composite particulates each containing AlN grain within its surface covered by an Al layer of a single crystal structure, and Al alloy particulates of a single crystal structure, and then by sintering the Al layers of the composite particulates with the Al alloy particulates. The Al layers and the Al alloy particulates of the single crystal structure have no dislocation fault, crystal grain boundary. etc., produced therein, and for this reason, they have a low chemical activity. Therefore, the Al layers and the like have a characteristic that they are extremely difficult to oxidize. This ensures that the Al layers and the Al alloy particulates can be reliably sintered to achieve the densification of the resulting structural member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid or gel propellant comprising an oxidizer and a fuel, said fuel preferably having a vapor pressure not exceeding 10 millimeters of mercury at 25.degree. C. and being selected from the group consisting of hydroxy-(lower alkyl)-hydrazine, dihydroxy-(lower alkyl)hydrazine, cyanoethylhydrazine, 1-methyl-1-cyanoethylhydrazine, 1,1-dimethyl-2-cyanoethylhydrazine, and combinations thereof. Also claimed is a method of making the propellant.

Abstract: The invention relates to cap or booster sensitive explosives for application in bulk or cartridge form in boreholes. The oxidizing salt of the explosive is ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate and/or calcium nitrate having untamped bulk density of 0.3-0.7 g/cm.sup.3. The explosive can be a w-i-o emulsion explosive where the discontinuous phase is an aqueous solution of the oxidizing salts and where low density ammonium nitrate comprises 10-80 weight % of the total explosive. ANFO, HANFO and water-gel explosives comprising said oxidizing salts having untamped bulk density of 0.3-0.7 g/cm.sup.3 are examples of explosives according to the invention. The above types of explosives are especially suitable in small and medium size boreholes without using sensitizing or density reducing agents.

Abstract: This invention relates to the property of a bonded metal including a forming material of a nickel-titanium alloy and its method of manufacture. This bonded metal property is produced by forming a forged structure to achieve an incorporated integral body through the bonding of the nickel-titanium alloy material onto another material of nickel base alloy. The manufacturing method used to achieve this property involves heating both materials at the point to be bonded in an inert gas atomosphere. The materials are first heated to their melting point and in this state are fused together under high pressure. This forms the forged structure on the portion of the materials so treated.

Abstract: A sodium-azide-free gas-generating composition includes an oxidizable inorganic fuel, such as a metal, and an oxidizing agent containing oxygen and a metal. The fuel and the oxidizing agent are selected such that water vapor is produced upon reaction between the inorganic fuel and the oxidizing agent. Although a number of inorganic fuels can be employed, a suitable fuel can be a transition metal, another element such as silicon, boron, aluminum, magnesium, an intermetallic compound, hydrides of these metals and mixtures thereof. Suitable oxidizing agents are selected from basic metal carbonates and basic metal nitrates. The fuel and oxidizing agent are selected such that substantially nontoxic gases are produced such as mixtures of water vapor and either carbon dioxide or nitrogen.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled laser sintering system includes a laser beam 12 which is focussed onto a sintering bed 38 by a focussing mirror 26 and a set of scanning mirrors 32,34. Thermal radiation 114 emitted from the sintering bed 38 are imaged to the scanning mirrors and to a dichroic beamsplitter 110 which reflects such radiation but passes the wavelength of the laser beam 12. The radiation 118 is focussed onto an optical detector 126 which provides a signal on a line 128 to a power control circuit 104. The power control circuit 104 controls a modulator 100 which modulates the power of the laser beam 112 so as to maintain the thermal radiation emission 114 (and thus the temperature at the sintering location) at a substantially constant level.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and useful via fill paste for use in the construction of electronic circuit devices. The unique via fill paste is capable of electrically connecting conductive layers made of dissimilar metals such as gold and silver. The via fill paste includes gold, silver, palladium and a refractory oxide. The refractory oxide comprises one or more metals selected from the group consisting of zirconium, yttrium, niobium, tantalum, lanthanum, thorium, hafnium, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of an open cell porous metallic material is provided. The method includes first molding a metal oxide powder into a desired gas-permeable body, then firing the body to obtain a sintered body of metal oxide. Lastly, oxygen is removed from the sintered metal oxide by firing in a reducing atmosphere. In a preferred embodiment, metal oxides such as NiO are combined with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and compressed into a molded body which is then air-fired and reduced. Pore sizes of less than 1 .mu.m are characteristic. Porosity of up to 64 percent has been demonstrated for nickel. In another preferred embodiment, mixed systems of metal alloys are demonstrated. In particular, results are shown for a NiO--MoO.sub.3 system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of manufacturing a plurality of molded parts by the steps of (a) providing a plurality of subelements, at least one of said subelements being formed by compression moulding of a sheet so as to define a plurality of recesses therein; (b) welding said subelements together to provide a deformable composite capsule in which said recesses define an inlet channel communicating with a plurality of moulding chambers for forming a plurality of moulded parts; (c) passing powdered material through said inlet channel in said capsule to fill said plurality of moulding chambers therein; (d) evacuating said capsule and essentially sealing said inlet channel; (e) isostatically compacting said capsule to form an essentially dense body therein comprising a plurality of interconnected moulded parts, and (f) separating said moulded parts from one another and cleaning them away from said inlet channel.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a binder, and the method of formulating the said binder, which is suitable for shaping parts from metallic and/or ceramic particles by injection molding. The binder comprises materials that are mainly thermoplastics, each of which having a percentage that is determined by its thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) profile and a weight loss versus highest binder removal rate from a green body by progressive heating. The removal of this binder from the green body is performed within a much shorter period of time than those published in the prior art. An example binder comprises 40-70% HDPE, 18-30% Paraffin wax, 10-25% microcrystalline wax and 2-5% stearic acid. Another binder comprises 35-65% PP, 23-35% paraffin wax, 10-25% microcrystaline wax and 2-5% stearic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of degrading nitrate esters by exposing a spension of a nitrate ester to a combined culture of Sclerotium rolfsii ATCC 24459 and Fusarium Solani IFO 31093. This allows an alleviation of environmental difficulties associated with the demilitarization of nitrocellulose base gun propellants and for the bioremediation of soils contaminated with such nitrocellulose based materials.

Abstract: Coatings for zirconium alloy components of nuclear reactor fuel assemblies are described. The coating consists of a metal silicate binder, particles of burnable-poison particles, such as boron carbide, optional graphite particles and an optional rheology-enhancing component. The coating is deposited from a liquid suspension which also includes a polar solvent.

Abstract: The density of ammonium nitrate-based mining explosives, such as ANFO, heavy ANFO and emulsion explosives, is lowered by adding an expanded grain, such as expanded popcorn, expanded rice, or expanded wheat, to the explosive. As much as 10% of the explosive composition may be an expanded grain. The present invention may be used with porous ammonium nitrate, dense agricultural grade ammonium nitrate, crystalline ammonium nitrate, and ground ammonium nitrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a novel salt composition comprising: (A) at least one salt moiety derived from (A)(I) at least one high-molecular weight hydrocarbyl-substituted polycarboxylic acylating agent, said hydrocarbyl-substituent of said acylating agent (A)(I) having a number average molecular weight of at least about 280, and (A)(II) one or more members selected from the group consisting of ammonia, at least one amine, at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal, and at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal compound; (B) at least one salt moiety derived from (B)(I) at least one low-molecular weight polycarboxylic acylating agent, said acylating agent (B)(I) optionally having at least one hydrocarbyl substituent having up to about 18 carbon atoms, and (B)(II) one or more members selected from the group consisting of ammonia, at least one amine, at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal, and at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal compound; said moieties (A) and (B) being coupled together b

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a dispenser cathode, in which method tungsten and a scandium-containing material are mechanically alloyed and the product thus formed is pressed into a cathode body. The cathode body is further provided with a barium-containing component. In the mechanical alloying process the tungsten is highly deformed and the scandium-containing material is mixed with the tungsten so as to be very finely distributed therein, so that an improved dispensation of scandium and hence an improved recovery after ion bombardment of the final cathode is attained.

Abstract: A method for the reduction of oxides in a powder metal requires a predetermined quantity of powder to be loaded into a retort tube or other type of furnace which is pumped down to a vacuum less than about 5.times.10.sup.-6 Torr. The retort is ramped up to a temperature of about 500.degree.-750.degree. C. and maintained at that temperature under high vacuum for about 30-60 minutes to obtain reduction of oxides and de-gasing of copper powders of screen mesh sizes of -100. A hydrogen partial pressure of 150 microns to 20 mm of Hg may be valved into the system from standard grade hydrogen gas 15 minutes into approximately the 30-60 minute hold temperature ramp and then valved off on cooling to 400.degree. C. to improve oxide removal. The system is returned to the high vacuum mode and furnace cooled to room temperature.

Abstract: A method of preparing a durable air-permeable mold having dimensional accuracy and without cracks clue to the segregation of the ingredients of the aggregate and without a surface irregularity, which comprises compounding 100 parts by weight of an aggregate obtained by compounding metal powders with metal oxide powders in a weight ratio of 5:95 to 30:70, the metal of said metal oxide powders being the same as that of the metal powders, 80% or more of said metal powders and said metal oxide powders having grain sizes of 300 .mu.m or less, with 10 to 35 by weight of an auxiliary hardening material that is softened and melted during the sintering process, and 10 to 25 by weight of a binder that contains an evaporable component, mixing them to form a slurry mixture, pouring it in a pattern mold to obtain a mold, drying the thus-obtained mold, and sintering the dried mold in an oxidative atmosphere at a temperature of 600.degree. to 1200.degree. C.

Abstract: The crack-resistant compound sleeve roll having a shell portion made of a sintered alloy and a core portion made of steel is produced by (a) charging an alloy powder consisting essentially, by weight, of 1.0-3.5% of C, 2% or less of Si, 2% or less of Mn, 10% or less of Cr, 3.0-15.0% of W, 2.0-10.0% of Mo and 1.0-15.0% of V, the balance being substantially Fe and inevitable impurities, into a metal capsule disposed around a roll core; (b) after evacuation and sealing, subjecting the alloy powder to a HIP (hot isostatic pressing) treatment at 1100.degree.-1300.degree. C. to form a shell portion; (c) after removing the metal capsule, subjecting the sintered shell portion to a heat treatment having hardening at 1140.degree.-1220.degree. C. and annealing at 540.degree.-620.degree. C.; and (d) chamfering edge portions of the roll on both axial ends thereof such that a boundary of the shell portion and the core portion exists in a chamfered surface.

Abstract: Titanium is prenitrided by being heated in a nitrogen environment under conditions which give rise to the formation of a titanium-nitride surface layer on the titanium. Titanium thus prenitrided may be used in electrical components which are hermetically sealed using silicate glasses and standard glass sealing techniques. According to the method of the invention, alkali volatilization and formation of deleterious interfacial silicide are inhibited.

Abstract: A lithium electrochemical cell is provided that provides many cycles with loss in capacity. The cell contains an ion conducting solid polymer electrolyte and an electronically conductive, anion-intercalating polymer cathode.