Abstract: Improved steel strapping and method for producing comprising adding to a steel composition of about 0.25 to about 0.34 wt. % carbon, about 1.20 to about 1.55 wt. % manganese and up to about 0.035 wt. % silicon, an addition consisting of about 0.20 to about 0.25 wt. % vanadium, or 0.35 to about 0.45 wt. % molybdenum, or about 0.35 to about 0.45 wt. % molybdenum plus about 0.12 to about 0.18 wt. % vanadium, casting, hot rolling and cold rolling the steel to strapping form and austempering the steel strapping.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating graphite reinforced metal matrix composites so as to eliminate thermal strain hysteresis and impart dimensional stability through a large thermal cycle. The method is applied to the composite post fabrication and is effective on metal matrix materials using graphite fibers manufactured by both the hot roll bonding and diffusion bonding techniques.The method consists of first heat treating the material in a solution anneal oven followed by a water quench and then subjecting the material to a cryogenic treatment in a cryogenic oven. This heat treatment and cryogenic stress reflief is effective in imparting a dimensional stability and reduced thermal strain hysteresis in the material over a -250.degree. F. to +250.degree. F. thermal cycle.