Abstract: Contact materials based on AgSnO.sub.2 and having Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 and CuO as further metal oxide additives were previously disclosed. In these materials the total content of all metal oxides was supposed to be between 10 and 25% by volume with the SnO.sub.2 share equal to or greater than 70% by volume of the total amount of oxide.According to this invention the quantity of SnO.sub.2 is kept smaller than 70% by volume; specifically at about 65%, but in any case equal to or greater than 50%. The SnO.sub.2 weight content is to be in the 4% to 8% range and the weight percentage ratio of SnO.sub.2 to CuO is to be between 8:1 and 12:1.In the associated production process, either Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 powder is purposely admixed to an internally oxidized alloy powder (IOAP) in an additional operation, a grain restructuring with locally different Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 concentrations occurring in the structure after sintering and compacting.

Abstract: A continuous carburizing furnace system is disclosed having at least two series-connected rotary furnaces. The rotary carburizing furnace, a rotary equalizing furnace, and a rotary diffusion furnace which may be included between the carburizing and equalizing furnaces, allow trays of parts to be discharged from any position at any time by suitable rotation of their hearths, thus allowing parts with different cycle times to be run simultaneously in each rotary furnace. Each donut-shaped rotary furnace includes one or more captive chain type pusher mechanisms mounted in vertical fashion within a central area or hole, and the rotary carburizing furnace is multi-zoned and includes wall-mounted fans for uniform circumferential control of the gaseous atmosphere within its annular chambers.

Abstract: Forgings fabricated from 9 Chromium - 1 Molybdenum, modified alloys are subjected to tempering at a temperature less than the ASTM specified minimum tempering temperature in the range from about 1275.degree. F. to about 1300.degree. F. for a period of time in the range of from about 5 to about 20 hours to cause the forging to have a room temperature yield strength in the range from about 85 to about 100 ksi. Such room temperature yield strengths permit the use of the alloy in the fabrication of high-pressure steam turbine rotors. Forgings fabricated from such alloys possess excellent high-temperature properties and the same are also weldable to facilitate repair of rotors fabricated therefrom and to facilitate the fabrication of the rotor in the first instance by forming the rotor from smaller sections which may be welded together and subsequently tempered at a temperature in the range from about 1275.degree. F. to about 1300.degree. F.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuously treating line for a steel band, having a heating furnace by directly flaming. For heating the steel band with causing reduction, the heating furnace of directly flaming system is provided with a plurality of heating burners of reduction system which may form non-equilibrium range of the air and the fuel in a flame, that is, a reduction range, wherein the heating burners are positioned at predetermined arrangement with respect to the steel band and at a certain pitch predetermined in relation with an inner diameter of the burner in a line running direction.The treating line has said heating furnace constructed as mentioned above and a subsequent atmosphere furnace, and said atmosphere furnace may be provided with a sealing chamber having various means for avoiding invasion of the outer air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a non-aging hot-dip galvanized steel strip in a hot-dip galvanizing line with a continuous over-aging furnace at the end thereof. The steel strip is rapidly cooled from a temperature of 600.degree. to 700.degree. C. to a temperature of about 460.degree. C. by quenching the steel strip in a zinc bath. Thereafter a steel strip is further cooled to a temperature preferably below 300.degree. C. and the steel strip is then brought into the continuous over-aging furnace. The temperature of said furnace is about 350.degree. C. and the over-aging treatment takes preferably from 2 to 3 minutes. A furnace has guide rolls arranged outside the furnace walls and the steel strip is momentarily cooled before making contact with a guide roll. After leaving the over-aging furnace, the steel strip is subjected to conventional air and water cooling as well as temper-rolling.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing pearlitic steel wire, particularly with fine diameters and for use in reinforcing rubber vehicle tires. The wire is subjected to a patenting treatment before being drawn down to its final diameter, but is held at the transformation temperature for no more tha 5 seconds after transformation has taken place. Such a step renders the wire capable of being subjected to true strains of more than 3.0 and achieving tensile strengths of 3000 Nmm.sup.-2 or more. The wire may be cooled from the transformation temperature via a first stage in which the temperature is reduced to 400.degree. to 450.degree. C. over a period of time not less than 3 seconds.

Abstract: Silicon carbide particulate reinforced aluminum alloy matrix composites are formed using techniques which include agitation of a melt of aluminum alloy, containing magnesium, and silicon carbide particulates in a manner whereby the silicon carbide particles are maintained, during agitation, within the body of the melt; the agitation, which involves shearing or wiping of the particles in the liquid, is carried out under vacuum; and may involve incorporation into the melt of an additional amount of magnesium such that that amount compensates for the amount of magnesium which segregates to the carbide surfaces, and is sufficient to effect strengthening of the resulting composite. Aluminum alloy matrix composites, containing copper, are produced using similar agitation and mixing procedures, with the copper being incorporated in such a way as to discourage reaction between the copper and SiC particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inductively heating in an inductor and quench hardening the finished ground cam lobes of steel camshafts to a uniform shallow pattern depth with minimal lobe surface deformation. The inductor is shaped to correspond to the contour of and encircle the individual cam lobes with a minimal uniform induction coupling gap therebetween of less than 0.1 inch, and it is energized with high intensity power at a high frequency greater than 200 KHz, with sufficient power to create a power density of at least 25 KW/inch.sup.2 at the surface of the cam lobe being heated in the inductor, for only a short heat time less than 1.0 second so as to effect the rapid inductive heating of the cam lobe surface to a uniform elevated temperature and uniform shallow depth therearound without causing unacceptable reheating and resultant drawing back or tempering of the previously hardened next adjacent cam lobe.

Abstract: Nickel powder of high surface area is produced by pressurized hydrogen reduction of an ammoniacal aqueous nickel sulfate solution using a small amount of a catalytic reductant compound exemplified by formaldehyde sulfoxalate (rongalite).

Abstract: Apparatus for setting and resetting a portion of a shape-memory alloy part, the apparatus including an enclosing chamber having openings for the portion, a body of solid particles in the chamber, a pressure member connected to the chamber to immobilize the particles and the portion and a mechanism for heating the portion to a resetting temperature while immobilized, is disclosed.

Abstract: A dental amalgam alloy containing selenium includes one or two or more of powders of chemically synthesized copper selenides (CuSe, Cu.sub.2 Se), silver selenide (Ag.sub.2 Se), gold selenide (Au.sub.2 Se.sub.3), nickel selenide (NiSe), palladium selenides (PdSe, PdSe.sub.2), platinum selenides (PtSe.sub.2, PtSe.sub.3), zinc selenide (ZnSe), mercury selenide (HgSe), indium selenide (In.sub.2 Se.sub.3) and tin selenide (SnSe) added to and mixed with a dental amalgam alloy powder with the resulting powder mixture containing selenium regulated to an amount of 0.05 to 5 weight %.

Abstract: The shape or configuration of an article made of shape-memory alloys, such as an eyeglass temple piece, or a hand held tool, is adjusted or readjusted to suit the wearer or user. While the shape-memory alloy of the article is in its martensitic state, the article may be readily deformed from its standard shape due to the alloy's low strength and malleability. The article is then confined or restrained in the customized shape so that upon heating the alloy does not return to its original austenitic or memory condition. Adequate heat is then supplied to the article to reform the austenitic state of the alloy in the desired customized shape. Preferably, the electrical resistance of the alloy is used to attain such internal heating to the resetting temperature of the article by current flow through the alloy.

Abstract: A vacuum furnace is cooled in a two-step process. In the first step, a noble gas is injected into the furnace to break the vacuum, and to provide initial cooling. In the second step, a non-noble, but relatively inert, gas is injected into the furnace to complete the cooling. The flow of the noble gas is cut off when the temperature in the furnace falls below the point at which the contents of the furnace will no longer react with the second gas. The invention also discloses apparatus for cooling the furnace. Temperature controllers monitor the temperature, and rate of temperature change, in the furnace, and direct controlled amounts of noble or non-noble gas into the furnace. At no time is a liquefied gas allowed to enter the furnace. The process allows the furnace to be cooled rapidly but safely, minimizing the danger of thermal shock to the internal furnace components.

Abstract: A powdered material and a process for producing the material are disclosed. The powdered material consists essentially of spherical particles selected from the group consisting of metals, metal alloys, ceramic glasses, crystalline ceramic materials, and combinations of these. The material is essentially free of elliptical shaped material and elongated particles having rounded ends. The material has a particle size of less than about 20 micrometers. The process for making the spherical particles involves mechanically reducing the size of a starting material to produce a finer powder the major portion of which has a particle size of less than about 20 micrometers. The finer powder is entrained in a carrier gas and passed through a high temperature zone at a temperature above the melting point of the powder to melt at least about 50% of the powder and form the spherical particles of the melted portion. The powder is then directly solidifed.

Abstract: A convection diffuser and charge support system for an annealing furnace utilizes a diffuser base assembly that includes a vane-carrying center casting which underlies a charge support plate, and which is perimetrically surrounded by a pair of outer and inner cooling rings. The components of the diffuser base assembly cooperate to define an array of horizontally extending gas circulation passages that are shielded from above by the charge support plate. The horizontal passages extend among a plurality of upstanding heat exchange fins that are carried by the inner cooling ring, and terminate in upwardly extending outer end regions that are defined by grooves formed in the outer cooling ring. A centrifugal fan draws hot gases through a central opening in the charge support plate and conveys the gases radially outwardly through the horizontally extending gas flow passages.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing ultrafine particles by preparing one or more than one kind of alkoxide of a metal which is a component of the desired ultrafine particles, and subsequently hydrolyzing or heating said alkoxide. For the production of ultrafine particles of ruthenium oxide and/or metallic ruthenium, which are used as a raw material of thick film resistors, a ruthenium compound is reacted with an alkali metal alkoxide to give a ruthenium alkoxide and it is hydrolyzed or heated. For the production of a low-melting glass (including lead oxide), which is used as a sintering assistant or easy-to-sinter powder, at least three kinds of compounds (alkoxides or sols) including a lead alkoxide are reacted with one another and the resulting reaction product is hydrolyzed.

Abstract: The steel rail is submitted to a tensile stress exceeding the conventional 0.2% offset yield strength of the steel, up to a stress value corresponding to a total plastic deformation of the whole rail.

Abstract: Fluidized-bed type carburizing furnace means of the class provided with a path for circulation of the furnace gas of a fluidized-bed type carburizing furnace is improved by incorporation therein of ejector means for spouting compressed gas into the circulation path. The circulation path comprises an outlet pipe emanating from the furnace gas outlet of the fluidized-bed type carburizing furnace, a cyclone connected through the medium of the outlet pipe to the fluidized-bed type carburizing furnace, and a discharge pipe emanating from the cyclone and joined to the furnace gas inlet of the fluidized-bed type carburizing furnace. The ejector means comprises a constriction formed in the discharge pipe and a feed pipe for compressed gas having the leading end thereof inserted into the constriction.

Abstract: A hydrogen-producing material comprises an aluminum alloy consisting essentially of 5 to 50% of tin and the balance being aluminum and inevitable impurities. The material may comprise a deposit composed of flat fine particles of the aluminum alloy, for example, a spray deposit formed on a base by thermal spraying with a wire of an aluminum alloy consisting essentially of 5 to 50% of tin and the balance being aluminum and inevitable impurities.

Abstract: A fluidized bed for treating of product at high temperatures (1100.degree. C. to 1300.degree. C.) is possible, while overcoming problems such as slow start up times and contamination due to combustion gas. The fluidized bed uses an inert gas introduced to the bed to cause fluidization of refractory particles. Exposed surfaces or boundary layers of the bed are heated by infrared radiation produced exterior to the bed and absorbed by exposed particles of the bed. The thermal characteristics of the bed insure rapid dissipation of the absorbed energy. Electrically powered lamps produce the radiation and preferably are high intensity shortwave infrared radiation lamps. The lamps remain out of direct contact with the bed preferrably separated by a quartz wall or screen.