Abstract: Electrode materials and method for their surface activation are described. Alloys consisting of at least one element of the group consisting of Nb, Ta, Ti and Zr, at least one element of the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir and Pt, and balance being Ni are prepared by methods for preparation of amorphous alloys, and are amorphous or supersaturated solid solution. Their surfaces are activated to enhance electrocatalytic activity by enrichment of electrocatalytically active platinum group elements in the surface region in addition to surface roughening as a result of selective dissolution of Ni, Nb, Ta, Ti and Zr from the alloys during immersion in corrosive solutions. The surface-activated amorphous and supersaturated solid solution alloys possess high electrocatalytic activity and selectivity for a specific reaction as well as high corrosion resistance.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for carbothermically producing an alkaline earth metal aluminide from an aluminum-bearing material which, in one aspect comprises forming a mixture of a carbonaceous reducing agent and a slag comprising the aluminum-bearing material, the alkaline earth metal compound; forming, at a first temperature, an alloy containing impurities in the slag; removing the alloy containing the impurities from the slag; and then heating the slag to a higher temperature to form the alkaline earth metal aluminide. The alkaline earth metal compound used in the process may comprise calcium carbide. Alternatively, both the alkaline earth metal compound and the aluminum-bearing material may be obtained using a calcium aluminate slag such as a byproduct from the steel industry. The calcium aluminate slag is purified in a preliminary step to remove silicon by alloying it with iron and then removing a ferrosilicon alloy formed in this step.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for carbothermically producing an alkaline earth metal aluminide from an aluminum-bearing material which, in one aspect comprises forming a mixture of a carbonaceous reducing agent and a slag comprising the aluminum-bearing material, the alkaline earth metal compound; forming, at a first temperature, an alloy containing impurities in the slag; removing the alloy containing the impurities from the slag; and then heating the slag to a higher temperature to form the alkaline earth metal aluminide. The alkaline earth metal compound used in the process may comprise calcium carbide. Alternatively, both the alkaline earth metal compound and the aluminum-bearing material may be obtained using a calcium aluminate slag such as a byproduct from the steel industry. The calcium aluminate slag is purified in a preliminary step to remove silicon by alloying it with iron and then removing a ferrosilicon alloy formed in this step.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for carbothermically producing an alkaline earth metal aluminide from an aluminum-bearing material which, in one aspect comprises forming a mixture of a carbonaceous reducing agent and a slag comprising the aluminum-bearing material, the alkaline earth metal compound; forming, at a first temperature, an alloy containing impurities in the slag; removing the alloy containing the impurities from the slag; and then heating the slag to a higher temperature to form the alkaline earth metal aluminide. The alkaline earth metal compound used in the process may comprise calcium carbide. Alternatively, both the alkaline earth metal compound and the aluminum-bearing material may be obtained using a calcium aluminate slag such as a byproduct from the steel industry. The calcium aluminate slag is purified in a preliminary step to remove silicon by alloying it with iron and then removing a ferrosilicon alloy formed in this step.

Abstract: A converter for preparing steel having a refractory lining including a wear lining is provided at its bottom with a plurality of gas supply devices for supply of stirring gas to the molten bath in the converter. Each gas supply device has a generally vertical flat panel which comprises at least two flat metal plates joined together to provide a plurality of gas passages between them. The plates are mounted between bricks of the wear lining. To prevent the plates bulging apart, which causes the gas passages to be blocked by steel the plates are connected to each other between their edges at a plurality of locations distributed over the whole of the plate faces in a manner so as to resist the pressure of the gas in the passages. The bricks of the wear lining adjacent the gas supply device are modified in dimensions to accommodate the gas supply device and/or modified in quality compared with the neighboring bricks.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for carbothermically producing an alkaline earth metal aluminide from an aluminum-bearing material which, in one aspect comprises forming a mixture of a carbonaceous reducing agent and a slag comprising the aluminum-bearing material, the alkaline earth metal compound; forming, at a first temperature, an alloy containing impurities in the slag; removing the alloy containing the impurities from the slag; and then heating the slag to a higher temperature to form the alkaline earth metal aluminide. The alkaline earth metal compound used in the process may comprise calcium carbide. Alternatively, both the alkaline earth metal compound and the aluminum-bearing material may be obtained using a calcium aluminate slag such as a byproduct from the steel industry. The calcium aluminate slag is purified in a preliminary step to remove silicon by alloying it with iron and then removing a ferrosilicon alloy formed in this step.

Abstract: An industrial process for the obtaining, preferably without casting, of its of high-purity master alloy based on at least one rare earth and at least one transition metal by metallothermic reduction of a compound of said rare earth by means of a reducing agent such as alkali or alkaline earth metals, characterized in that the transition metal is introduced into the starting reaction mixture, at least in part in the form of a compound which can be reduced by the reducing agent used.

Abstract: A converter pressure control device for use in a converter waste gas disposing device wherein a calculator determines the difference between the pressure in a converter and atmospheric pressure and sets an operating parameter according to the detected difference. A pressure controller generates a control signal in accordance with the operating parameter and the difference in converter pressure and a predetermined value. The control signal is used to operate a damper to control the flow of waste gas through the converter.

Abstract: A rapidly solidified magnesium based alloy contains finely dispersed magnesium intermetallic phases. The alloy has the form of a filament or a powder and is especially suited for consolidation into bulk shapes having superior combination of strength, ductility and corrosion resistance.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for carbothermically producing an alkaline earth metal aluminide from an aluminum-bearing material which, in one aspect comprises forming a mixture of a carbonaceous reducing agent and a slag comprising the aluminum-bearing material, the alkaline earth metal compound; forming, at a first temperature, an alloy containing impurities in the slag; removing the alloy containing the impurities from the slag; and then heating the slag to a higher temperature to form the alkaline earth metal aluminide. The alkaline earth metal compound used in the process may comprise calcium carbide. Alternatively, both the alkaline earth metal compound and the aluminum-bearing material may be obtained using a calcium aluminate slag such as a byproduct from the steel industry. The calcium aluminate slag is purified in a preliminary step to remove silicon by alloying it with iron and then removing a ferrosilicon alloy formed in this step.

Abstract: A plastics processing machine component, such as a lined composite heating cylinder or a hardfaced feed screw, wherein a layer of a hard, corrosion-resistant alloy is joined to a component substrate in the form of the part to be protected. The alloy has a composition, in weight percent, of from about 12 to about 16 percent molybdenum, from about 10 to about 14 percent chromium, up to about 1.2 percent carbon, up to about 3.5 percent silicon, from about 0.5 to about 3.5 percent boron, balance nickel. Such alloys are resistant to corrosion damage from hydrogen chloride and hydrogen fluoride environments, have sufficient fluidity to permit centrifugal casting in the temperature range of 1800.degree. F. to 2250.degree. F., and can be tailored to have hardnesses from about 45 to over 60 R.sub.c.

Abstract: An improved process is disclosed for carbothermically producing an alkaline earth metal aluminide from an aluminum-bearing material which, in one aspect comprises forming a mixture of a carbonaceous reducing agent and a slag comprising the aluminum-bearing material, the alkaline earth metal compound; forming, at a first temperature, an alloy containing impurities in the slag; removing the alloy containing the impurities from the slag; and then heating the slag to a higher temperature to form the alkaline earth metal aluminide. The alkaline earth metal compound used in the process may comprise calcium carbide. Alternatively, both the alkaline earth metal compound and the aluminum-bearing material may be obtained using a calcium aluminte slag such as a byproduct from the steel industry. The calcium aluminate slag is purified in a preliminary step to remove silicon by alloying it with iron and then removing a ferrosilicon alloy formed in this step.

Abstract: A refractory plate-frame assembly for use in a sliding closure unit includes a frame having therein a recess and a refractory plate positioned within the recess. A flexible band is mounted within the recess about the periphery of the refractory plate. A tightening device is mounted in the frame and is selectively operable from the exterior thereof to tighten the band about the periphery of the plate and thereby securely mount the plate within the recess, and alternatively for loosening the band from the periphery of the plate, whereby the plate may be removed from the band and the frame.

Abstract: A metal composition usable as a brazing material for bonding a metal to a non-oxide ceramic. The brazing material contains, at least, one or more metals selected from a first group of transition metals consisting of Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir, Ru and Os, and one or more metals selected from a second group of transition metals consisting of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu. The material may further contain one or more elements selected from a third group of elements consisting of B, C, Si and P.

Abstract: A foundry furnace lining is formed using an improved ramming mix composed predominantly of raw kyanite particles and alumina particles. The particulate mix is sintered to form a silica slag-resistant lining, which sintering is accompanied by reactions that produce compressive forces that strengthen the product lining.

Abstract: A spring copper alloy for electric and electronic parts having a high modulus of elasticity, a good electrical conductivity and a good solderability is disclosed, which alloy consists of 1.5.about.3.0% by weight of Ni, 1.2.about.2.0% by weight of Sn, 0.05.about.0.30% by weight of Mn, 0.01.about.0.1% by weight of P, inevitable impurities and the remainder of Cu.

Abstract: A method of forming precision openings in hardened steel workpieces is disclosed. The method generally includes drilling nominal size openings in the workpiece while it is in a soft condition. Thereafter, sizing plugs formed from a material having a strength greater than that of the steel body during a predetermined range of temperatures are press-fitted in the openings. With the plugs in position, the body is heat treated to harden it. Subsequently, the plugs are removed and the resulting openings are found to be of an extremely uniform size without the wide variations present when hardening is performed without the sizing plugs.

Abstract: Erosion resistance is imparted to a metallic substrate without an attendant loss of fatigue life in the substrate in one embodiment by applying to the substrate a first ductile layer comprising a metal from Group VI to Group VIII elements as well as the noble metal group of elements, and a second hard erosion-resistant layer applied on the first layer comprising a boride, carbide, nitride or oxide of a metal selected from Group III to Group VI elements, the first layer capable of retaining substrate integrity and preventing diffusion of material from the second layer into the substrate. Another embodiment defines another layer of a substantially pure metal from Group III to Group VI between the first and second layers. Still another embodiment defines that in the second layer the content of either the carbide, nitride, boride or oxide is graded, i.e.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for remelting and hardening an elongate workpiece such as a shaft having a plurality of axially spaced shaft portions to be processed. The shaft is held in a second position, heated, and thereafter transferred to a first position close and parallel to the second position. The shaft is then held in the first position, and the outer surface of one of the shaft portions is remelted and hardened with a torch. Thereafter, the torch is moved parallel to the shaft to remelt and harden the adjacent shaft portions successively.

Abstract: A method of improving the stress corrosion resistance of an alloy comprising heating a martensitic stainless steel to a molten state and incorporating into said molten steel from 0.5 to 2.0 weight percent of an additive selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium or a mixture thereof.