Abstract: The present application is directed to an orthopedic implant. More specifically, the orthopedic implant is suitable for arthroplasty procedures where optimized multifunctional behavior of the implant is desired. In some embodiments the implant is suitable for the replacement of a spinal disc. In one embodiment, the present application is directed to an orthopedic implant including a first plate a second plate and a flexible support. The flexible support may have a single connection to the first plate and a single connection to the second plate and may vary in cross section. The first plate, the second plate and the flexible support may be unitarily formed.

Abstract: The present application is directed to an orthopedic implant. More specifically, the orthopedic implant is suitable for arthroplasty procedures where optimized multifunctional behavior of the implant is desired. In some embodiments the implant is suitable for the replacement of a spinal disc. In one embodiment, the present application is directed to an orthopedic implant including a first plate a second plate and a flexible support. The flexible support may have a single connection to the first plate and a single connection to the second plate and may vary in cross section. The first plate, the second plate and the flexible support may be unitarily formed.

Abstract: A rapidly solidified aluminum based alloy consists essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a M.sub.b Si.sub.c R.sub.d, wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of V, Mo, Cr, Mn, Nb, Ta, and W; R is at least one element selected from the group consisting of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er, Yb, and Y; "a" ranges from 3.0 to 7.1 atom %; "b" ranges from 0.25 to 1.25 atom %; "c" ranges from 1.0 to 3.0 atom %; "d" ranges from 3.0 to 0.3 atom % and the balance is aluminum plus incidental impurities, with the provisos that (i) the ratio [Fe+M]:Si ranges from about 2.0:1 to 5.0:1 and (ii) the ratio Fe:M ranges from about 16:1 to 5:1. The alloy exhibits improved elevated temperature strength due to the rare earth element additions without an increase in the volume fraction of dispersed intermetallic phase precipitates therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for making high strength, high ductility, low density rapidly solidified aluminum-base alloys, consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Zr.sub.a Li.sub.b X.sub.c, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Mg, Si, Sc, Ti, U, Hf, Be, Cr, V, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni, "a" ranges from about 0.2-0.6 wt %, "b" ranges from about 2.5-5 wt %, "c" ranges from about 0-5 wt % and the balance is aluminum. The alloy is given multiple aging treatments after being solutionized. The microstructure of the alloy is characterized by the precipitation of a composite phase in the aluminum matrix thereof.

Abstract: A component consolidated from a rapidly solidified aluminum-lithium alloy containing copper, magnesium and zirconium is subjected to a preliminary aging treatment at a temperature of about 400.degree. C. to 500.degree. C. for a time period of about 0.5 to 10 hours; quenched in a fluid bath; and subjected to a final aging treatment at a temperature of about 100.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. for a time period ranging up to about 40 hours. The component exhibits increased strength and elongation, and is especially suited for use in lightweight structural parts for land vehicles and aerospace applications.

Abstract: A rapidly solidified aluminum base alloy consists essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a Si.sub.b X.sub.c, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of W,Ta,Nb, "a" ranges from 3.0 to 7.1 at %, "b" ranges from 1.0 to 3.0 at %, "c" ranges from 0.25 to 1.25 at % and the balance is aluminum plus incidental impurities, with the provisos that the ratio [Fe+X]:Si ranges from about 2.33:1 to 3.33:1 and that the ratio Fe:X ranges from about 16:1 to 5:1. The alloy exhibits high strength, ductility and fracture toughness and is especially suited for use in high temperature structural applications such as gas turbine engines, missiles, airframes and landing wheels.

Abstract: A rapidly solidified aluminum base alloy consists essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a Si.sub.b X.sub.c, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of W, Ta, Nb, "a" ranges from 3.0 to 7.1 at %, "b" ranges from 1.0 to 3.0 at %, "c" ranges from 0.25 to 1.25 at % and the balance is aluminum plus incidental impurities, with the provisos that the ratio [Fe+X]:Si ranges from abut 2.33:1 to 3.33:1 and that the ratio Fe:X ranges from abut 16:1 to 5:1. The alloy exhibits high strength, ductility and fracture toughness and is especially suited for use in high temperature structural applications such as gas turbine engines, missiles, airframes and landing wheels.

Abstract: The invention provides an aluminum based alloy consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a X.sub.b, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zn, Co, Ni, Cr, Mo, V, Zr, Ti, Y and Ce, "a" ranges from about 7-15 wt %, "b" ranges from about 2-10 wt % and the balance is aluminum. The alloy has a predominately microeutectic microstructure. The invention also provides a method and apparatus for forming rapidly solidifed metal, such as the metal alloys of the invention, within an ambient atmosphere. Generally stated, the apparatus includes a moving casting surface which has a quenching region for solidifying molten metal thereon. A reservoir holds molten metal and has orifice means for depositing a stream of molten metal onto the casting surface quenching region. A heating mechanism heats the molten metal contained within the reservoir, and a gas source provides a non-reactive gas atmosphere at the quenching region to minimize oxidation of the deposited metal.

Abstract: The invention provides an aluminum based alloy consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a X.sub.b, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zn, Co, Ni, Cr, M, V, Zr, Ti, Y, Si and Ce, "a" ranges from about 7-15 wt %, "b" ranges from about 1.5-10 wt % and the balance is aluminium. The alloy has a predominately microeutectic microstructure.The invention provides a method and apparatus for forming rapidly solidified metal within an ambient atmosphere, the rapidly solidified metal being an aluminum based alloy. Generally stated, the apparatus includes a moving casting surface which has a quenching region for solidifying molten metal thereon. A reservoir holds the molten metal and has orifice means for depositing a stream of the molten metal onto the casting surface quenching region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an aluminum alloy which includes the step of carbo-thermically reducing an aluminous material to provide an alloy consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal TM.sub.d Si.sub.e, wherein TM is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, Ti, V, Zr, Cu and Mn, "d" ranges from about 2-20 wt %, "e" ranges from about 2.1-20 wt %, and the balance is aluminum and incidental impurities. The alloy is placed in the molten state and rapidly solidified at a quench rate of at least about 10.sup.6 K/sec to produce a rapidly solidified alloy composed of a predominately microeutectic and/or microcellular structure.

Abstract: A rapidly solidified aluminum-base alloy consists essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a Si.sub.b V.sub.c, wherein "a" ranges from 3.0 to 7.1 atom percent, "b" ranges from 1.0 to 3.0 atom percent, "c" ranges from 0.25 to 1.25 atom percent and the balance is aluminum plus incidental impurities, with the provisos that (i) the ratio (Fe+V): Si ranges from about 2.33:1 to 3:33:1 and (ii) the ratio Fe:V ranges from 11.5:1 to 5:1. The alloy exhibits high strength, ductility and fracture toughness and is especially suited for use in high temperature structural applications such as gas turbine engines, missiles, airframes and landing wheels.

Abstract: A rapidly solidified aluminum-base alloy consists essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a Si.sub.b X.sub.c wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn,V,Cr,Mo,W,Nb,Ta, "a" ranges from 2.0 to 7.5 atom percent, "b" ranges from 0.5 to 3.0 atom percent, "c" ranges from 0.05 to 3.5 atom percent and the balance is aluminum plus incidental impurities, with the proviso that the ratio {Fe+X}:Si ranges from about 2.0:1 to 5.0:1. The alloy exhibits high strength, ductility and fracture toughness and is especially suited for use in high temperature structural applications such as gas turbine engines, missiles, airframes and landing wheels.

Abstract: A rapidly solidified aluminum-base alloy consists essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a Si.sub.b V.sub.c, wherein "a" ranges from 3.0 to 7.1 atom percent, "b" ranges from 1.0 to 3.0 atom percent, "c" ranges from 0.25 to 1.25 atom percent and the balance is aluminum plus incidental impurities, with the provisos that (i) the ratio [Fe+V]:Si ranges from about 2.33:1 to 3:33:1 and (ii) the ratio Fe:V ranges from 11.5:1 to 5:1. The alloy exhibits high strength ductility and fracture toughness and is especially suited for use in high temperature structural applications such as gas turbine engine components, automotive engine components, missiles and airframes.

Abstract: The invention provides an aluminum based alloy consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a X.sub.b, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zn, Co, Ni, Cr, Mo, V, Zr, Ti, Y and Ce, "a" ranges from about 7-15 wt. %, "b" ranges from about 2-10 wt. % and the balance is aluminum. The alloy has a predominately microeutectic microstructure, and is produced by a method and apparatus for forming rapidly solidified metal within an ambient atmosphere. Generally stated, the apparatus includes a moving casting surface which has a quenching region for solidifying molten metal thereon. A reservoir holds molten metal and has orifice means for depositing a stream of molten metal onto the casting surface quenching region. A heating mechanism heats the molten metal contained within the reservoir, and a gas source provides a non-reactive gas atmosphere at the quenching region to minimize oxidation of the deposited metal.

Abstract: The invention provides an aluminum based alloy consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a X.sub.b, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zn, Co, Ni, Cr, Mo, V, Zr, Ti, Y, Si and Ce, "a" ranges from about 7-15 wt %, "b" ranges from about 1.5-10 wt % and the balance is aluminum. The alloy has a predominately microeutectic microstructure.The invention also provides a method and apparatus for forming rapidly solidified metal, such as the metal alloys of the invention, within an ambient atmosphere. Generally stated, the apparatus includes a moving casting surface which has a quenching region for solidifying molten metal thereon. A reservoir holds molten metal and has orifice means for depositing a stream of molten metal onto the casting surface quenching region. A heating mechanism heats the molten metal contained within the reservoir, and a gas source provides a non-reactive gas atmosphere at the quenching region to minimize oxidation of the deposited metal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an aluminum alloy which includes the step of carbothermically reducing an aluminous material to provide an alloy consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal TM.sub.d Si.sub.e, wherein TM is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Ni, Co, Ti, V, Zr, Cu and Mn, "d" ranges from about 2-20 wt %, "e" ranges from about 2.1-20 wt %, and the balance is aluminum and incidental impurities. The alloy is placed in the molten state and rapidly solidified at a quench rate of at least about 10.sup.6 K/sec to produce a rapidly solidified alloy composed of a predominately microeutectic and/or microcellular structure.

Abstract: A rapidly solidified aluminum-base alloy consists essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a Si.sub.b X.sub.c, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, V, Cr, Mo, W, Nb, Ta, "a" ranges from 1.5 to 7.5 atom percent, "b" ranges from 0.75 to 9.0 atom percent, "c" ranges from 0.25 to 4.5 atom percent and the balance is aluminum plus incidental impurities, with the proviso that the ratio [Fe+X]:Si ranges from about 2.01:1 to 1.0:1. The alloy exhibits high strength, ductility and fracture toughness and is especially suited for use in high temperature structural applications such as gas turbine engines, missiles, airframes and landing wheels.

Abstract: The invention provides an aluminum based alloy consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a V.sub.b X.sub.c, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zn, Co, Ni, Cr, Mo, Zr, Ti, Hf, Y and Ce, "a" ranges from about 7-15 wt %, "b" ranges from about 2-10 wt %, "c" ranges from about 0-5 wt % and the balance is aluminum. The alloy has a distinctive microstructure which is at least about 50% composed of a generally spherical, intermetallic O-phase.Particles composed of the alloys of the invention can be heated in a vacuum and compacted to form a consolidated metal article have high strength and good ductility at both room temperature and at elevated temperatures of about 350.degree. C. The consolidated article is composed of an aluminum solid solution phase containing a substantially uniform distribution of dispersed intermetallic phase precipitates therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low density aluminum-base alloy, consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Zr.sub.a Li.sub.b Mg.sub.c T.sub.d, wherein T is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Si, Sc, Ti, V, Hf, Be, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni, "a" ranges from about 0.25-2 wt %, "b" ranges from 2.7-5 wt %, "c" ranges from about 0.5-8 wt %, "d" ranges from about 0.5-5% and the balance is aluminum. The alloy has a primary, cellular-dendritic, fine-grained, supersaturated aluminum alloy solid solution phase with intermetallic phases of the constituent elements uniformly dispersed therein. A consolidated article can be produced by compacting together particles composed of the aluminum alloy of the invention in a vacuum at elevated temperature. The compacted alloy is solutionized by heat treatment, quenched in a fluid bath, and optionally, stretched and aged.