Abstract: The present invention provides a Ti--Al intermetallic compound sheet of a thickness in the range of 0.25 to 2.5 mm formed of a Ti--Al intermetallic compound of 40 to 53 atomic percent of Ti, 0.1 to 3 atomic percent of at least one of material selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mn, V and Fe, and the balance of Al, and a Ti--Al intermetallic compound sheet producing method comprising the steps of pouring a molten Ti--Al intermetallic compound of the foregoing composition into the mold of a twin drum continuous casting machine, casting and rapidly solidifying the molten Ti--Al intermetallic compound to produce a thin cast plate of a thickness in the range of 0.25 to 2.5 mm and, when necessary, subjecting the thin cast plate to annealing and HIP treating. The Ti--Al intermetallic compound sheet has excellent mechanical and surface properties.

Abstract: An improved process for producing high-moisture containing nitrogen-based atmospheres suitable for oxide and decarburize annealing of carbon steels from non-cryogenically generated nitrogen is presented. These nitrogen-based atmospheres are produced by 1) mixing non-cryogenically generated nitrogen containing less than 5.0 vol. % residual oxygen with a specified amount of hydrogen, 2) humidifying the gaseous feed mixture, 3) feeding the gaseous mixture into the heating zone of a furnace through a diffuser, and 4) converting in-situ the residual oxygen present in it to moisture. According to the present invention, the total amount of hydrogen required for producing suitable atmospheres can be minimized by simultaneously humidifying the feed gas and controlling the residual oxygen level in it. The key features of the present invention include a) humidifying the feed gas prior to introducing it into the heating zone of a furnace operated above about 600.degree. C.

Abstract: Elements for use as protecting fuel contacting surfaces of a gas turbine engine are protected from carbon deposition by heating the element in a nitrogen containing atmosphere for sufficient time to cause penetration and absorption of nitrogen into the grain boundaries of the alloy surface, which acts as a barrier between the hydrocarbon fuel and the catalytic elements in the surfaces.

Abstract: A stabilized alpha metal matrix provides an improved ductility, creep strength, and corrosion resistance against irradiation in a zirconium alloy containing tin in a range of 0.45 to 0.75 wt. %, and typically 0.6 wt. %; iron in a range of 0.4 to 0.53 wt. %, and typically 0.45 percent; chromium in a range of 0.2 to 0.3 wt. %, and typically 0.25 percent; niobium in a range of 0.3 to 0.5 wt. %, and typically 0.45 wt. %; nickel in a range of 0.012 to 0.03 wt. %, and typically 0.02 wt. %; silicon in a range of 50 to 200 ppm, and typically 100 ppm; and oxygen in a range 1,000 to 2,000 ppm, and typically 1,600 ppm, with the balance zirconium. The addition of iron and niobium improves mechanical properties of the alloy with its lower level of tin, while corrosion resistance is addressed by having an iron level of 0.45 wt. % and an iron/chromium ratio on the order of 1.5. The addition of niobium also counters the effect of higher iron on the hydrogen absorption characteristics of the alloy.

Abstract: A method for stress-relieving a flame-hardened component by vibrating the workpiece as it is being flame-hardened, and then vibrating the workpiece after it has been flame-hardened, measuring the workpiece to detect warpage, straightening the workpiece to remove the warpage, and then vibrating the workpiece to remove any stresses created by the straightening step.

Abstract: A method of nitriding nickel alloy comprising steps of holding nickel alloy in an atmosphere of fluorine- or fluoride-containing gas in a heated condition and holding the fluorinated nickel alloy in a nitriding atmosphere in a heated condition to provide the nickel alloy with improved surface hardness by forming a deep uniform nitrided layer on the surface of the nickel alloy.

Abstract: Disclosed are a Ti--Al alloy including aluminum (Al) in an amount of 30 to 38% by weight, nitrogen (N) in an amount of 0.2 to 1.0% by weight, and titanium (Ti), substantially the balance, and a process for producing the same. Since the Ti--Al alloy includes the nitrogen in the predetermined amount, the microstructure of the Ti--Al alloy can be micro-fined and made into a uniform one, and accordingly the shrinkage cavities can be reduced remarkably. Therefore, the strength, the ductility or the like of the Ti--Al alloy can be improved remarkably. With the production process, it is possible to produce the Ti--Al alloy including the nitrogen in the predetermined range.

Abstract: A high-tensile copper alloy for current conduction and having superior flexibility is disclosed. The hightensile copper alloy, in a first embodiment, is consisting essentially of: from 2.0 to 4.0% by weight of Ni; from 0.4 to 1.0% by weight of Si; from 0.05 to 0.3% by weight of In; from 0.05 to 0.3% by weight of Sn; and the balance of Cu. The high-tensile copper alloy, in a second embodiment, is consisting essentially of: from 2.0 to 4.0% by weight of Ni; from 0.4 to 1.0% by weight of Si; from 0.05 to 0.3% by weight of In; from 0.01 to 0.2% by weight of Co; and the balance of Cu. The high-tensile copper alloy, in a third embodiment, is consisting essentially of: from 2.0 to 4.0% by weight of Ni; from 0.4 to 1.0% by weight of Si; from 0.05 to 0.3% by weight of In; from 0.01 to 0.3% by weight of Mg; and the balance of Cu. The high-tensile copper alloy, in a fourth embodiment, is consisting essentially of: from 2.0 to 4.0% by weight of Ni; from 0.4 to 1.0% by weight of Si; from 0.05 to 0.

Abstract: For the grain refinement of aluminum casting alloys, in particular aluminum/silicon casting alloys, gallium phosphide and/or indium phosphide are/is added to the melt, optionally in addition to further grain-refinement and/or modification additions. The addition of gallium phosphide and/or indium phosphide results in a good grain refinement with low shrink-hole tendency and does not have an adverse effect on modification processes.

Abstract: There can be provided a TiC-base cermet alloy whose hardness is equal to or higher than that of a Ti(C, N)-base cermet alloy and which is excellent in toughness by strengtening the binder phase of the TiC-Base cermet alloy which does not involve the problem of denifrification at the time of sintering. The titanium-carbide-base cermet alloy comprises a hard phase which contains titanium carbide as a main component and a binder phase which contains one or both of Co and Ni as main components, wherein amounts of Ti and Mo in the binder phase satisfy the conditions, by weight T: 0.85.ltoreq.Mo (wt. %)/Ti (wt. %), and 6 wt. %.ltoreq.[Ti +Mo].

Abstract: The present invention relates to a contact for a vacuum interrupter obtained by processing a contact-forming material comprising from 20% to 60% by weight of Cr, Bi in an amount of from 0.05% to 1.0% by weight of the total amount of Cu and Bi, and the balance substantially Cu into the shape of a contact, and thereafter subjecting the processed material to vacuum heat treatment. The contact for the vacuum interrupter has both excellent anti-welding characteristics and excellent voltage withstanding characteristics.

Abstract: A zirconium alloy which imparts good creep strength, while also providing favorable neutron cross section, improved corrosion resistance, low hydrogen uptake and good fabricability is described which contains vanadium in a range of from an amount effective to indicate its greater-than-trace presence up to 1.0 wt %, wherein either limit is typical; niobium in a range of from an amount effective to indicate its greater-than-trace presence up to 1.0 wt %, wherein either limit is typical; antimony in a range of from an amount effective to indicate its greater-than-trace presence up to 0.2 wt %, wherein either limit is typical; tellurium in a range of from an amount effective to indicate its greater-than-trace presence up to 0.2 wt %, wherein either limit is typical; tin in a range of from an amount effective to indicate its greater-than-trace presence up to 0.5 wt %, wherein either limit is typical; iron in a range of 0.2 to 0.5 wt %, typically 0.35 wt %; chromium in a range of from 0.1 to 0.4 wt %, typically 0.

Abstract: A titanium alloy is prepared containing 2 to 4% by weight of aluminum, 1.5 to 2.5% by weight of vanadium, 0.20 to 0.45% by weight of a rare earth element (not essential). 0.05 to 0.11% by weight of sulfur (not essential), and titanium substantially for the remainder, the ratio of the rear earth element content to the sulfur content ranging from 3.8 to 4.2. This titanium alloy is rough-formed and hot-forged at a temperature in a .beta. region, and the resulting titanium alloy ingot is processed directly into a titanium alloy component having a desired shape. The titanium alloy component thus manufactured has a satisfactory fatigue strength and is also excellent in machinability, and can be used for connecting rods, valves, retainers, etc. to be incorporated in the engine of an automobile.

Abstract: This is an improved method of fabricating Zircaloy-4 strip. The method is of the type wherein Zircaloy-4 material is vacuum melted, forged, hot reduced, beta-annealed, quenched, hot rolled, subjected to a post-hot-roll anneal and then reduced by at least two cold rolling steps, including a final cold rolling to final size, with intermediate annealing between the cold rolling steps and with a final anneal after the last cold rolling step. The improvement comprises: (a) utilizing a maximum processing temperature of 620.degree. C. between the quenching and the final cold rolling to final size; (b) utilizing a maximum intermediate annealing temperature of 520.degree. C.; and (c) utilizing hot rolling, post-hot-roll annealing, intermediate annealing and final annealing time-temperature combinations to give an A parameter of between 4.times.10.sup.-19 and 7.times.10.sup.

Abstract: Lead-free copper-nickel corrosion resistant, low friction, castable alloy, particularly for food processing machine parts, with the following weight percent rangeNi=15-45Zn=2-6Tin=2-7Bi=1-6Fe=0-3Mn=0-3Cu=balanceand food processing machine parts made therefrom.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy consisting of: 1.0-1.5 wt % Si, 0.4-0.9 wt % Cu, 0.2-0.6 wt % Mn, 0.8-1.5 wt % Mg, 0.3-0.9 wt % Cr, 0.03-0.05 wt % Ti, 0.0001-0.01 wt % B, and the balance consisting of Al and unavoidable impurities; the sum of the Mn and Cr contents being not more than 1.2 wt % and the content of Fe as one of the unavoidable impurities being not more than 0.2 wt %. The alloy may further comprise 0.1-0.2 wt % Zr to facilitate the refinement of crystal grains. The alloy has a tensile strength of 40 kgf/mm.sup.2 or more and an elongation of 15% or more when plastically formed, solution-treated and aged to provide the highest strength.

Abstract: The invention provides (1) a titanium alloy with excellent corrosion resistance consisting essentially of 10-40 wt % of Mo, 0.1-15 wt % of Cr, and the balance of Ti and unavoidable impurities and (2) a titanium alloy according to (1) which further contains 0.01-2.0 wt % (in total) of Ru, Ir, Os, Pd, Pt, or/and Rh. The addition of Mo allows Ti-based alloys to form on the surface a protective film with a high concentration of Mo, whereby their corrosion resistance in non-oxidizing acids, such as hydrochloric and sulfuric acids, is markedly improved. In environments where oxidants are present, even but a few ppm in amount, Mo comes out in solution, seriously affecting the corrosion resistance of the alloys. To avoid this, Cr must also be added. The addition of Cr helps keep Mo from dissolving out and thereby prevent the deterioration of corrosion resistance by the action of oxidants in the environments. The platinum group elements, singly or in combination, further improve the corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A method for improving the corrosion resistance of a zirconium-based material in an acid environment. A laser beam is scanned across the entire surface of the material to cause surface melting of the material. A rapid self-quenching is provided by the underlying substrate. Homogeneous material formed during solidification of the molten pool improves the corrosion resistance. Alloy enriched diffuse regions, i.e., tin and iron, develop parallel to each other and the periphery of the edge of the melt pool. In this manner, the laser surface melting removes the intermetalics by dissolving the precipitates, thus removing the source of localized corrosion. This greatly reduces the capability of the iron to act anodically to cause the zirconium to ionize, disassociate from the matrix, and migrate into the acid solution.

Abstract: A component composed of a rapidly solidified aluminum-lithium alloy is subjected to thermal treatment at a temperature greater than 500.degree. C. for a time period greater than 5 hours under a protective atmosphere. Thus case toughened, the component exhibits notched impact toughness from 40 to 250% greater than that exhibited prior to the thermal treatment.

Abstract: This invention relates to TiAl based intermetallic compound alloy and process for producing; the object of this invention is to improve high temperature deformability. The alloy comprises basic components: Ti.sub.y AlCr.sub.x, wherein 1%.ltoreq.X.ltoreq.5%, 47.5%.ltoreq.Y.ltoreq.52%, and X+ 2Y.gtoreq.100%, and comprises a fine-grain structure with a .beta. phase precipitated on a grain boundary of equiaxed .gamma. grain having grain size of less than 30 .mu.m, and possessing a superplasticity such that the strain rate sensitivity factors (m value) is 0.40 or more and tensile elongation is 400% or more tested at 1200.degree. C. and a strain rate of 5.times.10.sup.-4 S.sup.-1.