Abstract: Systems for sorting materials, such as those made of metal, are described. The systems may operate by irradiating the materials with x-rays and then detecting fluoresced x-rays, transmitted x-rays, or both. Detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be performed using an x-ray fluorescence detector array. The systems may be configured to provide high throughput sorting of small pieces of materials.

Abstract: Systems for sorting materials, such as those made of metal, are described. The systems may operate by irradiating the materials with x-rays and then detecting fluoresced x-rays, transmitted x-rays, or both. Detection of the fluoresced x-rays may be performed using an x-ray fluorescence detector array. The systems may be configured to provide high throughput sorting of small pieces of materials.

Abstract: A white gold alloy composition consisting essentially of about 35 to 50 weight percent of gold, about 35 to 63 weight percent of silver, about 0.1 to 7 weight percent of a whitening component of zinc, germanium or both, and palladium in an amount of about 9 weight percent or less. The whitening component and the palladium are present in an amount sufficient to impart a white gold appearance and a liquidus temperature of no greater than about 1950.degree. F. to the alloy, preferably between about 1700.degree. and 1900.degree. F., and more preferably less than about 1850.degree. F. Thus, the preferred amount of palladium is about 2 to 5 weight percent and the preferred amount of the whitening component is about 0.5 to 6 weight percent.

Abstract: A copper based alloy consisting essentially of about 4-15 wt. percent nickel, about 4-8 wt. percent tin, the balance essentially copper, to which was added to said copper, nickel and tin, prior to casting, about 0.002-0.4 wt. percent of rhenium. Improved grain structure in the as-cast metal, as well as a retained finer grain structure through homogenization anneals is realized. Finer grain structure after standard processing with attendant improved cold working characteristics, and improved strength for strip material made by standard processing procedures is also obtained. The invention is further directed to the method of producing the alloy.