Abstract: A ductile, high electrical conductivity composite is made, containing alkaline earth metal-copper oxide particles (14), having a gold coating (16), within a skeletal matrix of hyperconducting aluminum (22) enclosed by a metallic sheath (12).

Abstract: An annular chromium carbide coating on an annular sealing surface of a stainless steel sealing assembly component for use in a nuclear reactor coolant pump, is treated by encasing at least the chromium carbide coating on the stainless steel sealing surface by applying a metallic cover thereover, evacuating the atmosphere between the cover and the coating on the sealing surface, hot isostatic pressing the stainless steel sealing assembly component and the chromium carbide coating thereon encased by the cover, cooling the sealing assembly component and the coating thereon encased by the cover, and after cooling thereof removing the cover from the coating. The result is a chromium carbide coating on the sealing component substrate densified substantially to its full theoretical density (greater than 99%) and metallurgically bonded by the hot isostatic pressing to the substrate exterior surface.

Abstract: High density compacts are made by providing a compactable particulate combination of Class 1 metals selected from at least one of Ag, Cu and Al, with material selected from at least one of CdO, SnO, SnO.sub.2, C, Co, Ni, Fe, Cr, Cr.sub.3 C.sub.2, Cr.sub.7 C.sub.3, W, WC, W.sub.2 C, WB, Mo, Mo.sub.2 C, MoB, Mo.sub.2 B, TiC, TiN, TiB.sub.2, Si, SiC, Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, usually by mixing powders of each, step (1); uniaxially pressing the powders to a density of from 60% to 95%, to provide a compact, step (2); hot densifying the compact at a pressure between 352 kg/cm.sup.2 (5,000 psi) and 3,172 kg/cm.sup.2 (45,000 psi) and at a temperature from 50.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. below the melting point or decomposition point of the lower melting component of the compact, to provide densification of the compact to over 97% of theoretical density; step (3); and cooling the compact, step (4).

Abstract: A composite hyperconductor for use at cryogenic temperatures and particularly well suited for AC applications employs at least one filament of conductor having an extremely low electrical resistance at cryogenic temperatures, a strengthening matrix surrounding the conductor, and a barrier for electrically insulating the conductor from the matrix while providing for efficient heat transfer therebetween and/or serving as a diffusion barrier to prevent contamination of the high purity conductor during processing. The preferred composite hyperconductor for space applications comprises an ultra high purity aluminum conducting filament, a aluminum alloy matrix and a boron nitride barrier.

Abstract: A process of hot pressing of materials to form articles or compacts is characterized by the steps: (A) providing a compactable particulate mixture; (B) uniaxially pressing the particles without heating to provide article or compact (22); (C) placing at least one article or compact (22) in an open pan (31) having an insertable frame (32) with edge surfaces (34) that are not significantly pressure deformable, where the inside side surfaces of the frame are parallel to the central axis B--B of the open pan, and where each article or compact is surrounded by fine particles of a separating material; (D) evacuating air from the container and sealing the articles or compacts inside the container by means of top lid (36); (E) hot pressing the compacts at a pressure from 352.5 kg/cm.sup.2 to 3,172 kg/cm.sup.

Abstract: Superconductor wire, and methods of constructing same, including one or more filaments formed of submicron-particle superconductor powder each surrounded by an encapsulating sheath having a composite wall. The composite wall includes a ductile outer skin surrounding a relatively harder, higher yield strength inner wall portion. The harder, higher strength inner wall portion improves dimensional uniformity of the filaments as the wire is fabricated, with the potential for enhanced superconducting performance, while the ductile outer skin enhances metallurgical bonding between the outer skins of adjacent filaments, to ensure a homogenous, thermally conductive and normally electrically conductive matrix.

Abstract: A powdered metallurgical procedure for forming chromium copper contacts used in vacuum circuit interrupters, in which prealloyed powder formed by mixing to copper, chromium of between two to thirty-seven weight percent is rapidly solidified after melting at about 1100.degree. C. to 1500.degree. C. This powder may be blended with additional chromium of between 12 to 50 weight percent with a maximum of fifty-five weight percent of chromium in the final contact structure. This blended mixture may then be either (i) cold pressed at 100,000 psig. and vacuum sintered at 800.degree. to 1400.degree. C.; or (ii) be subjected to hot isostatic pressure of 10,000 to 30,000 psig. at between 700.degree. C. to 1080.degree. C.; or (iii) containing the blended copper-chromium powder and the additional chromium powder into an evacuated can and hot extruding the can between 400.degree. C. to 900.degree. C., to form the contacts.

Abstract: A method of removing tenacious oxide film from particulates, such as submicron sized superconductor powder, to enhance the electrical characteristics of superconductor wire fabricated from the powder. The method includes removing the oxide film with an alkali metal, or a hydroxide of an alkali metal, and coating or plating the particles with a metal whose oxide is easily reduced just prior to use, such as by annealing the coated particulate in hydrogen.

Abstract: A low pressure plasma or laser spray metal deposition process for the manufacture of a vacuum interrupter contact with a tailored composition gradient through the thickness of the contact.

Abstract: A submicron-particle ductile superconductor and method of fabricating the same wherein the submicron particles (e.g., 300 Angstroms) of a superconductor (e.g., NbC) are encapsulated in a metal tube (e.g., copper) and then fabricated down to fine wire in the absence of sintering of reaction annealing. Because of the fluid-like properties of the unsintered submicron-particle powdered core, the composite fabricated wire retains ductility and resistance to fracture while exhibiting superconducting properties approaching those of the bulk material in the core. Multifilamentary composites are obtained by bundling and fabricating the bundle down in a required number of steps.

Abstract: A submicron-particle ductile superconductor and method of fabricating the same wherein the submicron particles (e.g., 300 Angstroms) of a superconductor (e.g., NbC) are encapsulated in a metal tube (e.g., copper) and then fabricated down to fine wire in the absence of sintering of reaction annealing. Because of the fluid-like properties of the unsintered submicron-particle powdered core, the composite fabricated wire retains ductility and resistance to fracture while exhibiting superconducting properties approaching those of the bulk material in the core. Multifilamentary composites are obtained by bundling and fabricating the bundle down in a required number of steps.

Abstract: A high efficiency conductor bar is provided for use in a high flux density environment. The bar is made up of a number of subconductors, each of which consists of strands of small size, insulated copper wire wound into twisted bundles and cables so as to be completely transposed. The subconductors and a tube for coolant fluid are then assembled into a conventionally transposed conductor bar.

Abstract: A high efficiency conductor bar is provided for use in a high flux density environment. The bar is made up of a number of subconductors, each of which consists of strands of small size, insulated copper wire wound into twisted bundles and cables so as to be completely transposed. The subconductors and a tube for coolant fluid are then assembled into a conventionally transposed conductor bar.

Abstract: An improved wire, rod, stick, and the like to be stored, packaged, transported, and fed into welding apparatus is manufactured so that the ultimate alloying stage is performed when used as filler material, or consumable electrode during welding operation. The wire, rod, stick, according to the invention, which may be with or without fluxing agent, is obtained by selecting constituents in relation to a desired alloy system, mixing the selected constituents, and forming a wire, rod or stick cold working, or by extrusion, the alloy system being obtained at the ultimate welding step with the intermediary wire, rod or stick.

Abstract: Electrical inductive apparatus including a winding disposed in inductive relation with a magnetic core. The winding includes a plurality of conductor turns formed of an electrically conductive material having a predetermined cross sectional configuration. The predetermined cross sectional configuration is selected such that an interlocking structure is formed in which the conductor turns of an axially aligned layer of turns are restrained against relative axial movement.