Abstract: An composition for electroless plating of rhodium onto a substrate, a process for plating a uniform coating of rhodium onto various substrates using an electroless plating composition, and a rhodium plated article formed therefrom. The plating composition is an aqueous solution of triamminetris(nitrito-N,N,N)rhodium(III); ammonium hydroxide; and hydrazine hydrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to electroless autocatalytic plating of platinum onto a substrate, an aqueous platinum plating bath, a process for plating a uniform coating of platinum onto various substrates using an electroless autocatalytic plating composition, and a platinum plated article formed therefrom. The plating bath of this invention allows direct autocatalytic plating of platinum on catalytically active and inactive, conductive and non-conductive substrates, avoiding the extra costs of activating a catalytically inactive substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to electroless plating of silver onto a substrate, an aqueous silver plating bath, a process for plating a uniform coating of silver onto various substrates using an electroless plating composition, and a silver plated article formed therefrom. The plating bath neither contains nor generates toxic or flammable substances or substances that may contaminate the silver coating. By avoiding strong complexing agents, virtually pure silver may be precipitated from the bath by simple boiling. Silver electroless autocatalytic plating bath consists of silver nitrate, ammonium hydroxide and hydrazine hydrate.

Abstract: A method for making a bimetallic ring seal having a nickel core covered by a first layer of platinum having a inner dense portion and a second outer portion both of which plastically deform in the presence of a load. The method includes the step of applying a porous layer of platinum over the dense layer by electroless plating in a platinum bath comprising 0.8-1.2 gram/liter platinum as diammine dinitrite salt Pt(NH3)2(NO2)2, 50-100 milliliter/liter of 25% ammonium hydroxide NH4OH; and 0.3-1.5 gram/liter hydrazine hydrate N2H4—H2O, at a temperature in the range of 75-90° C. and at a plating rate in the range of 0.5-3.0 micron/hour and then plastically deforming the ring seal under load.

Abstract: A carbon-carbon composite material is made by providing an open-celled carbon foam preform, and densifying the preform with carbonaceous material. The open-celled carbon foam preform may be oxygen stabilized prior to carbonization, and the foam preform densified by CVD, HIP, PIC, VPI, pitch and resin injection, or any combination thereof. The carbon carbon composite material can be heat treated to provide thermal management materials, structural materials, or a friction material for use in a brake or clutch mechanism.

Abstract: A carbon-carbon composite material is made by providing an open-celled carbon foam preform, and densifying the preform with carbonaceous material. The open-celled carbon foam preform may be oxygen stabilized prior to carbonization, and the foam preform densified by CVD, HIP, PIC, VPI, pitch and resin injection, or any combination thereof. The carbon-carbon composite material can be heat treated to provide thermal management materials, structural materials, or a friction material for use in a brake or clutch mechanism.

Abstract: A superelastic alloy exhibiting shape memory or pseudoelastic properties contains about 46.3 weight percent Au and about 54.7 weight percent In. Such alloys containing the superelastic Au—In2 intermetallic compound which exhibits elasticity can be formed into a gasket or seal that can be deformed at low stress levels while additionally having corrosion resistant properties.

Abstract: Carbon—carbon composite parts are joined with minimum surface preparation. A reactive-bonding joint interlayer having thickness greater than 1 mil is formed of fine particles of carbide-forming metallic ingredients and carbon. The joint interlayer is sandwiched between the two carbon—carbon parts to be joined and the assembly is heated under a compressive pressure to a temperature sufficient to complete the bonding reaction. No special surface preparation is required for the carbon—carbon parts due to the nature of the reactive-bonding. The mechanical properties of the joint are assured by selecting the metal-carbon ingredients so that thermal expansion mismatch is minimized. Shear strength exhibited by the resulting joints is greater than the interlaminar shear strength of the carbon—carbon composite material.

Abstract: A compliant sleeve for attaching a ceramic member to a metal member is comprised of a superalloy substrate having a metal contacting side and a ceramic contacting side. The ceramic contacting side is plated with a layer of nickel followed by a layer of platinum. The substrate is then oxidized to form nickel oxide scale on the ceramic contacting side and a cobalt oxide scale on the metal contacting side. A lubricious coating of boron nitride is then applied over the metal contacting side, and a shear-stress limiting gold coating is applied over the ceramic contacting side.

Abstract: An energy storage flywheel having a benign failure mode, the rotor of which is constructed of a brittle, high specific strength, isotropic solid.

Abstract: A carbon-carbon composite material is made by providing an open-celled carbon foam preform, and densifying the preform with carbonaceous material. The open-celled carbon foam preform may be oxygen stabilized prior to carbonization, and the foam preform densified by CVD, HIP, PIC, VPI, pitch and resin injection, or any combination thereof. The carbon-carbon composite material can be heat treated to provide thermal management materials, structural materials, or a friction material for use in a brake or clutch mechanism.

Abstract: Carbon--carbon composite parts are joined with minimum surface preparation. A reactive-bonding joint interlayer having thickness greater than 1 mil is formed of fine particles of carbide-forming metallic ingredients and carbon. The joint interlayer is sandwiched between the two carbon--carbon parts to be joined and the assembly is heated under a compressive pressure to a temperature sufficient to complete the bonding reaction. No special surface preparation is required for the carbon--carbon parts due to the nature of the reactive-bonding. The mechanical properties of the joint are assured by selecting the metal-carbon ingredients so that thermal expansion mismatch is minimized. Shear strength exhibited by the resulting joints is greater than the interlaminar shear strength of the carbon--carbon composite material.

Abstract: Blades for use in combusion turbine engines are formed from a single crystal aluminum garnet body--desirably a rare earth aluminum garnet body--having an epitaxial surface layer of a second aluminum garnet having a lattice constant larger than that of the body garnet so as to provide a compressive strain, to thereby strengthen the blade.

Abstract: For use in a compressor unit of gas turbine engine, a blade having a tip portion. An abrasive portion is formed on the tip portion with the abrasive portion comprising a dispersion of discrete particles of cubic boron nitride disposed on the tip portion. A shroud is coated with a porous ceramic abradable material based on preferably 8% yttria-stabilized zirconia. The abrasive portion of the tip portion contacts the abradable material. In the preferred embodiment, the abradable material is treated with boron nitride composited polyester that is burned out of the material via thermal exposure to thereby improve porosity within the abradable material.

Abstract: Blades for use in combusion turbine engine are formed from a single crystal garnet body--suitably an aluminum garnet, desirably a rare earth aluminum garnet--having an epitaxial surface layer of a second garnet having a lattice constant larger than that of the body garnet so as a compressive strain, to thereby strengthen the blade.

Abstract: Reinforcement fibers are formed from a single crystal garnet body--suitably an aluminum garnet, desirably a rare earth aluminum garnet--having an epitaxial surface layer of a second garnet having a lattice constant larger than that of the body garnet so as to provide a compressive strain, to thereby strengthen the fiber.

Abstract: Porous solid bodies, especially carbon bodies, are densified by chemical vapor deposition by establishing a thermal gradient within the body, thermally decomposing a gaseous precursor so deposit an electrically and thermally conductive deposit (e.g. carbon) within the body, and shifting the thermal gradient toward the lower temperature zone as deposition proceeds, by means of induction heating.

Abstract: Solid state laser gain media of the composition Cr.sup.+3 :XYZF.sub.6 wherein X is an alkali metal ion; Y is an alkaline earth metal ion, Cd.sup.+2 or Mg.sup.+2 ; and Z is Al.sup.+3, Ga.sup.+3 or Sc.sup.+3 are provided with gradient Cr doping levels for reducing thermally generated stress/strain in the lasing operation.