Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming an alloy material for use in a wire. The method includes forming a master alloy containing lead and silver; and creating a molten wire alloy by combining the master alloy, additional lead, and a third material in a vessel. The method also includes flowing argon gas through and over the molten wire alloy. The method also includes drawing the molten alloy from the vessel through an actively cooled die, and solidifying the molten wire alloy to form a bar of wire alloy.

Abstract: A method of purifying and casting a material comprising placing a material to be purified within a crucible, the crucible located within a purification chamber; providing thermal energy to the material to maintain the material in a molten state; providing a purification gas into the molten material to purify the material until a first measured condition is attained; passing the material in a fluid state from the purification chamber having a first atmosphere to a casting chamber having a second atmosphere, the purification chamber in fluid communication with the casting chamber such that the material passes from the purification chamber to the casting chamber without exposure to a third atmosphere; placing the material into a mold within the casting chamber; cooling the material within the mold to form a cast material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming an alloy material for use in a wire. The method includes forming a master alloy containing lead and silver; and creating a molten wire alloy by combining the master alloy, additional lead, and a third material in a vessel. The method also includes flowing argon gas through and over the molten wire alloy. The method also includes drawing the molten alloy from the vessel through an actively cooled die, and solidifying the molten wire alloy to form a bar of wire alloy.

Abstract: A thermal interface material comprises a polymeric elastomer material, a thermally conductive filler, and a coupling agent, along with other optional components.

Abstract: A thermal interface material comprises a polymeric elastomer material, a thermally conductive filler, and a coupling agent, along with other optional components.

Abstract: Electronic packaging arrangements having lead-free solders are disclosed. In particular, lead-free solder compositions and lead frame constructs for use therewith are disclosed. The lead-free solder compositions may be zinc-based and may include zinc, aluminum, and germanium as major components and gallium and magnesium as minor components. The lead-free, zinc-based solder compositions may exhibit desirable melting properties, mechanical properties, and wetting properties, for example.

Abstract: A solder may include zinc, aluminum, magnesium and gallium. The zinc may be present in an amount from about 82% to 96% by weight of the solder. The aluminum may be present in an amount from about 3% to about 15% by weight of the solder. The magnesium may be present in an amount from about 0.5% to about 1.5% by weight of the solder. The gallium may be present in an amount between about 0.5% to about 1.5% by weight of the solder.

Abstract: A solder may include zinc, aluminum, magnesium and gallium. The zinc may be present in an amount from about 82% to 96% by weight of the solder. The aluminum may be present in an amount from about 3% to about 15% by weight of the solder. The magnesium may be present in an amount from about 0.5% to about 1.5% by weight of the solder. The gallium may be present in an amount between about 0.5% to about 1.5% by weight of the solder.

Abstract: The burning of fuel (e.g., coal) in industrial equipment generates an exhaust flow containing airborne particulate. The flow is passed through a rotary heat exchanger to preheat inlet air. The heat exchanger element is subject to fouling and is cleaned by a pulsed combustion device. The device is operated by introducing a fuel and oxidizer charge to at least one conduit and initiating combustion of the charge. The combustion generates a shock wave to which the element is exposed, dislodging and/or otherwise removing the deposits.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming a heat treated sputtering target assembly. A backing plate is diffusion bonded to a sputtering target to produce a sputtering target assembly. The sputtering target assembly is heat treated to precipitation harden the backing plate of the assembly. The heat treatment includes heating and quenching, with the quenching being performed by immersing the backing plate in a quenchant without submerging the sputtering target.

Abstract: Described is a method of making a heat treated sputtering target and a sputtering target assembly with a prescripitation hardened backing plate diffusion hardened to a sputtering target.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning inlet mixers while they remain in their operating position within a nuclear reactor. A cleaning tool is inserted by remote control into the inlet mixer via a secondary inlet opening. Following insertion of the cleaning tool, the internal surfaces of the inlet mixer are cleaned with a waterjet created from an ultra-high-pressure source and directed by controlled positioning of a cleaning head having a nozzle which scans the cleaning waterjet across the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning system includes a nozzle cleaning tool, a throat/barrel/flare cleaning tool, pumping systems for supplying ultra-high-pressure equal to at least 20,000 psi and low-pressure water to an installed cleaning tool, a launching system located at the top of the opened reactor vessel for feeding the water conduits (power), control cables, monitoring cables (instrument) and cleaning tool into and out of the inlet mixer, and a computerized process monitoring and control system.

Abstract: A method for cleaning inlet mixers while they remain in their operating position within a nuclear reactor. A water-powered cleaning tool is inserted by remote control into the inlet mixer via a secondary inlet opening. Following insertion of the cleaning tool, the internal surfaces of the inlet mixer are cleaned with a waterjet created from an ultra-high-pressure source and directed by controlled positioning of a cleaning head having an nozzle which scans the cleaning waterjet across the surface to be cleaned.