Abstract: An article of manufacture made of a magnesium alloy is made by casting the magnesium alloy to provide a casting, forging the casting to render material of the casting to have an average crystalline particle size of not greater than 100 .mu.m, and carrying out a T6 treatment (a solution treatment and an artificial aging treatment) with respect to the casting. Physical properties such as, for example, the tensile strength, elongation and the like of the article are considerably improved by virtue of the synergistic effect of the micronized crystalline particles and the T6 treatment.

Abstract: A metallic melt is atomized using a high pressure atomizing gas wherein the temperature of the melt and the composition of the atomizing gas are selected such that the gas and melt react in the atomization spray zone to form a refractory or intermetallic compound in the as-atomized powder particles.A metallic melt is also atomized using a high pressure atomizing gas mixture gas wherein the temperature of the melt and the ratio of a reactive gas to a carrier gas are selected to form powder particles comprising a supersaturated solid solution of the atomic species of the reactive gas in the particles. The powder particles are then heat treated to precipitate dispersoids in-situ therein to form a dispersion strengthened material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ion nitriding of pure titanium or titanium-containing alloys at low pressure by intensifying the glow discharge.Plasma intensification was produced by thermionic emission in conjunction with a triode glow discharge system. Effective ion nitriding can be achieved by employing the present invention at relatively low temperatures (480.degree. C.) and with significantly enhanced compound layer growth kinetics compared to the conventional nitriding techniques. Processed Ti and Ti-6Al-4V developed a surface layer of TiN followed by a Ti.sub.2 N layer and an interstitial nitrogen diffusion zone. Processed specimens showed a three fold increase in surface hardness. Surface roughness was found to be a function of the degree of plasma intensification. Processing of Ti-6Al-4V resulted in a higher wear, corrosion and wear-corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying heat sufficient to permit plastic deformation of intermetallic material. The heat is applied to a fractional region of a workpiece, and then manipulations capable of causing the workpiece to deform are applied using conventional sheet metal forming equipment. The invention utilizes elevated forming temperatures to heat the fractional region of the intermetallic workpiece so that the fractional region has sufficient ductility to permit a plastic deformation required for the forming operation. The apparatus is a sheet metal-working machine which has been modified to provide the localized heating required to carry out the process of the present invention.

Abstract: A method of increasing intergranular stress corrosion cracking resistance of Alloy 718 in water reactor environments is described where the alloy is heat treated at a high solution annealing temperature to dissolve grain boundary precipitates formed during thermomechanical processing. A water quenching step is advantageously employed following the high solution annealing. The alloy is then aged at two separate temperatures and finally air cooled to room temperature.

Abstract: There is disclosed an engine valve of titanium alloy having a stem portion made of a cold-worked titanium alloy containing 2% to 4% by weight of aluminum, 1.5% to 3.5% by weight of vanadium and balance titanium. The engine valve suitable for use as an intake valve has a head portion made of a cast titanium alloy containing 2% to 7% by weight of aluminum, 3% to 20% by weight of vanadium and balance titanium. Moreover, an exhaust engine valve has a head portion made of a cast titanium alloy containing 5% to 10% by weight of aluminum and balance titanium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a broadly applicable method for making an article that, exemplarily comprises a superconductive oxide body, including a thin layer on a substrate, or powder particles. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises forming a precursor melt and contacting at least a part of the melt with oxygen such that the concentration of oxygen in the part of the melt increase to a critical concentration, resulting in formation of the desired oxide, substantially without drop in temperature. The precursor melt comprises at least one metallic element M, and at least the part of the melt is at a temperature T, with T.sub.m <T<T.sub.o, where T.sub.m is the freezing temperature of the melt and T.sub.o is the melting temperature of the superconductive oxide. In an exemplary embodiment the melt consists essentially of Yb, Ba, and Cu in 1:2:3 atomic ratio, T is about 900.degree. C. A layer of superconductive oxide on a Sr-TiO.sub.3 substrate is formed by dipping the hot (900.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for hardening rails having a rail foot, a rail head, which is to be hardened, and a web between the rail foot and the rail head comprises a dip basin for receiving the rail head, a manipulator for receiving from a feeder individual consecutive rails supported at their head and foot and for dipping the head of each rail into the dip basin, and a delivery conveyor for carrying the treated rails away from the dip basin.