Abstract: A stamping tool used for cold marking comprising a container and at least one marking element. Each of the marking elements is a rotatable wheel mounted to rotate individually whereby the character stamped may be changed. The marking elements are mounted in the container in a manner such that the rotatable wheels may be manually rotated without dismantling the tool. Each wheel extends beyond the container in a lateral direction to permit manual adjustment of the wheel and downwardly below the container to facilitate marking with the wheel. A plunger is supported on the marking elements, and is adapted to be hit by a piston.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing anisotropic metallic and ceramic compositions or material includes floating zone melting of eutectics and orientation of eutectoids, as well as melting, frittering, or homogenization of the eutectoids prior to orientation. The process includes solidification of a eutectic in the presence of a thermal gradient while displacing the solidification front of the eutectic along the direction of the gradient and orienting the solid eutectoid which results by imposing a direction of growth on it by displacement of the composition itself or the temperature gradient. The eutectoids are then prepared in a reactive atmosphere within a container and the surface thereof treated in gaseous atmosphere, after which the materials are compacted by displacing them again. The apparatus for performing the process includes a double heating and cooling system and structure for translating and rotating these systems.