Abstract: Machinable alpha beta brass having a reduced lead concentration is claimed. The alloy contains bismuth to improve machinability. Either a portion of the zinc is replaced with aluminum, silicon or tin, or a portion of the copper is replaced with iron, nickel or manganese.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a welded metallic duct assembly includes the steps of forming tubing from a flat form of a metal or alloy, annealing the tubing while applying radially directed pressure to a surface thereof, and then welding an end of the tubing to an article such as a flange, fitting, connector, spacer, or similarly processed tubing to form a duct assembly. The annealing step includes thermal sizing of the tubing in a manner that relieves residual stresses resulting from the forming process. A welded duct assembly fabricated in accordance with this process is substantially free of distortion in the heat affected zone of the weld that adversely affects the fatigue life of the ducting.

Abstract: Deposition of a hard film of Ti--Si--N composite material on a substrate is carried out by using a source of evaporation possessing a composition of Ti.sub.a Si.sub.b (wherein "a" and "b" stand for atomic percentages respectively falling in the ranges of 75 at %.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.85 at % and 15 at %.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.25 at %, providing a+b=100 at %). Deposition is effected by a sputtering process or ion plating process in an atmosphere of an inert gas containing a nitrogen-containing reaction gas while controlling the feed rate of the reaction gas into a chamber in such a manner that the partial pressure of nitrogen is kept constant or varied continuously or stepwise.

Abstract: A sucker rod coupling 10 having a high ultimate tensile strength, resistance to corrosion, and resistance to surface cracking arising out of a method of making the sucker rod coupling 10, which employs a five-step process of forming a coupling 10. First, a hollow cylindrical core 12 from a heat treatable steel is formed. Second, a thin coating 18 of metallic alloy is applied to the outer surface of the core 12. Third, the core 12 is heat treated. Fourth, threads 20 are partially cut in the inner surface of the core 12. Fifth, the threads 20 are cold worked to transform the partially cut threads 20 into finished threads 20 and to place the thread roots 22 in compression.

Abstract: A sucker rod coupling 10 having a high ultimate tensile strength, resistance to corrosion, and resistance to surface cracking arising out of a method of making the sucker rod coupling 10, which employs a five-step process of forming a coupling 10. First, a hollow cylindrical core 12 from a heat treatable steel is formed. Second, a thin coating 18 of metallic alloy is applied to the outer surface of the core 12. Third, the core 12 is heat treated. Fourth, threads 20 are partially cut in the inner surface of the core 12. Fifth, the threads 20 are cold worked to transform the partially cut threads 20 into finished threads 20 and to place the thread roots 22 in compression.

Abstract: A lead-free and bismuth-free solder alloy composition for electronic assembly applications having reduced toxicity. The alloy composition consists of, in weight percent, 90.3-99.2% tin, 0.5-3.5% silver, 0.1-2.8% copper, and 0.2-2.0% antimony. The alloy composition has a melting temperature of 210.degree.-216.degree. C. with superior wetting and mechanical strength making the alloy composition well suited for electronic circuit board manufacture and replacement of conventional tin-lead solders.

Abstract: The fracture resistance of titanium alloy matrix composites is increased by one of two methods. One method comprises the steps of consolidating a titanium alloy-fiber preform under suitable conditions to provide a metal matrix composite and thermally treating the thus-prepared composite at a temperature above the beta-transus temperature of the alloy for a brief time. In the second method, a composite having increased fracture resistance is produced by consolidating an alloy-fiber preform at a temperature above the normal consolidation temperature for a time less than the normal consolidation time.

Abstract: An alpha/beta titanium alloy having improved fatigue crack growth resistance can be prepared through a thermomechanical process using a three-step thermal treatment. The first step includes a heat up and hold at a temperature above the beta transition temperature, while the second step is a stabilization treatment which includes a heat up and hold below the beta transition temperature, in the alpha/beta range. The third thermal treatment is an aging treatment. The invention is particularly useful in preparing forged parts for aircraft.

Abstract: A TiAl intermetallic compound source and a boride which is less stable than TiB.sub.2 are mixed and melted, followed by solidification to form a TiB.sub.2 -dispersed TiAl-based composite material in which the TiB.sub.2 is contained in an amount of 0.3 to 10% by volume. In this process, the dispersed TiB.sub.2 particles become very fine, so that the hardness as well as the elongation and bending strength of the TiAl material are improved by the finely dispersed TiB.sub.2 particles.

Abstract: A non-burning Ti-V-Cr alloy which is heat treated to decrease its susceptibility to embrittlement in gas turbine engine compressor applications. The invention heat treat cycle consists of an isothermal holding period below the alpha solvus temperature, a slow ramp down to a lower temperature, a second holding period at a lower temperature, a third ramp down to an even lower temperature, and a final holding period at the third temperature. Other suitable heat treat cycles within the concept of the invention include a single holding period below the alpha solvus temperature double holding periods below the alpha solvus temperature with a ramp from a higher to a lower temperature and a continuous ramp below the alpha solvus temperature with no holding period.

Abstract: There are described powders comprising agglomerated nanocrystals of an electroactive alloy and oxygen. The main component of the alloy can be of nickel, cobalt, iron or mixtures thereof while the alloying element is one or more transition metals such as Mo, W, V, the alloy also including oxygen. Preferably the nanocrystals will be made of an alloy of nickel, molybdenum and oxygen. An electrode which is used by compacting the powders is also disclosed. Also disclosed, is a process for producing the powders by providing particles of nickel, cobalt and iron or oxides thereof with particles of at least one transition metal, (Mo, W, V) or oxides thereof and subjecting the particles to high energy mechanical alloying such as ball milling under conditions which include oxygen and for a sufficient period of time to produce a nanocrystalline alloy.

Abstract: Strength anisotropy of aluminum-lithium alloy wrought products is reduced by subjecting these types of alloys to improved T8 temper practice. The wrought product, after solution heat treating and quenching, is subjected to a combination of cold rolling and stretching steps prior to aging. The cold rolling can range between 1 and 20% reduction with the stretching step ranging between 0.5-10%. The cold rolling step may be performed in one or a multiple of passes. When multiple passes are used, the cold rolling may be done in different directions to further enhance reductions in strength anisotropy for these types of alloys. An aluminum-lithium alloy wrought product subjected to the improved T8 temper practice has an increased minimum tensile yield stress throughout its thickness and in various directions to facilitate commercial application of the product in high strength applications.

Abstract: A multi-phase, high temperature-resistant material with an intermetallic base alloy of the .gamma.-TiAl type, is intended in particular for use in heat engines, such as internal combustion engines, gas turbines and aircraft engines. The material has a content of aluminum of from 30 to 40 atom %, silicon of from 0.1 to 20 atom %, niobium of from 0.1 to 15 atom %, and a remainder of titanium.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a hydrogen storage alloy having a formula ofMm.sub.1-a M.sub.a Ni.sub.b Mn.sub.c Co.sub.d Al.sub.e X.sub.fwherein, Mm is misch metal mainly containing La, Ce, Pr, Nd and the balance amount of unavoidable impurities; M is titanium, zirconium or the mixture thereof; X is nitrogen, boron or the mixture thereof; and a is in the range of 0.01-0.2; b is in the range of 3.50-4.60; c is in the range of 0.20-0.60; d is in the range of 0.10-0.7; e is in the range of 0.1-0.5; f is in the range of 0.005-0.2; and b+c+d+e+f is in the range of 4.8-5.4.

Abstract: A non-magnetic alloy of a volume Vcu of copper and a volume Vmn of manganese. Vmn/Vcu is made equal to -Xcu/Xmn where Xcu is the susceptibility of the copper and Xmn is the susceptibility of the manganese. Vmn/Vcu is experimentally predicted to be 1.04 percent by volume.

Abstract: A reusable, non-wetting, corrosion-resistant material suitable for containment of corrosive liquids is formed of a tantalum or tantalum alloy substrate that is permeated with carbon atoms. The substrate is carburized to form surface layers of TaC and Ta.sub.2 C, and then is heated at high temperature under vacuum until the carbon atoms in the carbide layers diffuse throughout the substrate to form a solid solution of carbon atoms randomly interspersed in the tantalum or tantalum alloy lattice.

Abstract: A new ternary sulfide alloy exhibits a metal-semiconductor phase transition with hysteresis as a function of temperature. One embodiment of the bistable material includes barium, cobalt, nickel and sulfur in amounts in accordance with the formula Ba(Co.sub.1-x Ni.sub.x)S.sub.2-y, and x is between 0 and 1 and y varies from 0 to 2.

Abstract: A slide surface construction is formed of an aggregate of Ni crystals having a face-centered cubic structure. The aggregate includes {311} oriented Ni crystals with their {311} planes (by Miller indices) oriented toward a slide surface. The content S of the {311} oriented Ni crystals is set in a range represented by S.gtoreq.40%. The {311} oriented Ni crystals are of a quadrangular pyramid shape on the slide surface, and provide good oil retention for the slide surface construction. Thus, the slide surface construction exhibits an excellent seizure resistance.

Abstract: Novel Ti-Al-Nb-Cr alloys incorporating in their microstructure the hexagonal DO.sub.19 phase, the omega-type B8.sub.2 phase, the cubic B2 phase, and, optionally, the orthorhombic O phase. The intermetallic alloys consist essentially of, in atomic percent, about 48-62% Ti, about 28-32% Al, and about 10-20% Nb with Cr, wherein Cr is preferably present at about 4-16% of the total concentration.

Abstract: An aluminum-based alloy composition having improved combinations of strength and fracture toughness consists essentially of 2.5-5.5 percent copper, 0.10-2.30 percent magnesium, with minor amounts of grain refining elements, dispersoid additions and impurities and the balance aluminum. The amounts of copper and magnesium are controlled such that the solid solubility limit for these elements in aluminum is not exceeded. The inventive alloy composition may also include 0.10-1.00 percent silver for improved mechanical properties. The alloys are useful as high strength, high fracture toughness components for aircraft and aerospace structural parts.