Patents by Inventor Hidetoshi Somekawa

Hidetoshi Somekawa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11692256
    Abstract: Adding multiple solute elements could create fracture origin through formation of intermetallic compound due to bonding of added elements. While maintaining microstructure for activating non-basal dislocation movement, additive elements not to create fracture origin, but to promote grain boundary sliding are preferably found from among inexpensive and versatile elements. Provided is Mg-based wrought alloy material including two or more among group consisting of Mn, Zr, Bi, and Sn; and Mg and unavoidable constituents, having excellent room-temperature ductility and characterized by having finer crystal grain size in Mg parent phase during room-temperature deformation and in that mean grain size in matrix thereof is 20 ?m or smaller; rate of (?max??bk)/?max (maximum load stress (?max), breaking stress (?bk)) in stress-strain curve obtained by tension-compression test of the wrought material is 0.2 or higher; and resistance against breakage shows 200 kJ or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Somekawa, Yoshiaki Osawa
  • Patent number: 11578396
    Abstract: Provided is Mg-based alloy wrought material having improved ductility, formality, and resistance against fracture. Intermetallic compounds may be formed by mutual bonding of added elements to be a fracture origin. While maintaining microstructure for activating non-basal dislocation movement of Mg-based alloy wrought material, added elements to create no fracture origin, but to promote grain boundary sliding were found from among inexpensive and versatile elements. Provided is Mg-based alloy wrought material including at least one element from Zr, Bi, and Sn and at least one element from Al, Zn, Ca, Li, Y, and Gd wherein remainder comprises Mg and unavoidable impurities; an average grain size in a parent phase is 20 ?m or smaller; a value of (?max??bk)/?max (maximum load stress (?max), breaking stress (?bk)) in a stress-strain curve obtained by tension-compression tests of the wrought material is 0.2 or higher; and resistance against breakage shows 100 kJ or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Somekawa, Yoshiaki Osawa
  • Patent number: 11060173
    Abstract: In order to improve the ductility or formability of a magnesium alloy, addition of rare earth elements or refinement of grain size is often used. However, conventional additional elements inhibit the action of grain boundary sliding for complementing plastic deformation. Therefore, it is required to search for additional elements that act to facilitate the grain boundary sliding not only at a conventional deformation speed but also in a higher speed range while maintaining a microstructure for activating non-basal dislocation. The present invention is to provide a wrought processed Mg-based alloy having excellent ductility at room temperature, which consists of 0.25 mass % or more to 9 mass % or less of Bi, and a balance of Mg and inevitable components, and is characterized by having an average grain size of an Mg parent phase after solution treatment and hot plastic working after casting of 20 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Somekawa, Alok Shingh, Tadanobu Inoue
  • Publication number: 20210079508
    Abstract: Adding multiple solute elements could create fracture origin through formation of intermetallic compound due to bonding of added elements. While maintaining microstructure for activating non-basal dislocation movement, additive elements not to create fracture origin, but to promote grain boundary sliding are preferably found from among inexpensive and versatile elements. Provided is Mg-based wrought alloy material including two or more among group consisting of Mn, Zr, Bi, and Sn; and Mg and unavoidable constituents, having excellent room-temperature ductility and characterized by having finer crystal grain size in Mg parent phase during room-temperature deformation and in that mean grain size in matrix thereof is 20 ?m or smaller; rate of (?max??bk)/?max (maximum load stress (?max), breaking stress (?bk)) in stress-strain curve obtained by tension-compression test of the wrought material is 0.2 or higher; and resistance against breakage shows 200 kJ or higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Somekawa, Yoshiaki Osawa
  • Publication number: 20200173002
    Abstract: Provided is Mg-based alloy wrought material having improved ductility, formality, and resistance against fracture. Intermetallic compounds may be formed by mutual bonding of added elements to be a fracture origin. While maintaining microstructure for activating non-basal dislocation movement of Mg-based alloy wrought material, added elements to create no fracture origin, but to promote grain boundary sliding were found from among inexpensive and versatile elements. Provided is Mg-based alloy wrought material including at least one element from Zr, Bi, and Sn and at least one element from Al, Zn, Ca, Li, Y, and Gd wherein remainder comprises Mg and unavoidable impurities; an average grain size in a parent phase is 20 ?m or smaller; a value of (?max??bk)/?max (maximum load stress (?max), breaking stress (?bk)) in a stress-strain curve obtained by tension-compression tests of the wrought material is 0.2 or higher; and resistance against breakage shows 100 kJ or higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Somekawa, Yoshiaki Osawa
  • Publication number: 20190078186
    Abstract: In order to improve the ductility or formability of a magnesium alloy, addition of rare earth elements or refinement of grain size is often used. However, conventional additional elements inhibit the action of grain boundary sliding for complementing plastic deformation. Therefore, it is required to search for additional elements that act to facilitate the grain boundary sliding not only at a conventional deformation speed but also in a higher speed range while maintaining a microstructure for activating non-basal dislocation. The present invention is to provide a wrought processed Mg-based alloy having excellent ductility at room temperature, which consists of 0.25 mass % or more to 9 mass % or less of Bi, and a balance of Mg and inevitable components, and is characterized by having an average grain size of an Mg parent phase after solution treatment and hot plastic working after casting of 20 ?m or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Hidetoshi SOMEKAWA, Alok SHINGH, Tadanobu INOUE
  • Patent number: 9523141
    Abstract: Provided is an Mg alloy and a method for producing same able to demonstrate high strength without requiring an expensive rare earth element (RE). The high-strength Mg alloy containing Ca and Zn within a solid solubility limit and the remainder having a chemical composition comprising Mg and unavoidable impurities is characterized in comprising equiaxial crystal particles, there being a segregated area of Ca and Zn along the (c) axis of a Mg hexagonal lattice within the crystal particle, and having a structure in which the segregated area is lined up by Mg3 atomic spacing in the (a) axis of the Mg hexagonal lattice. The method for producing the high-strength Mg alloy is characterized in that Ca and Zn are added to Mg in a compounding amount corresponding to the above composition and, after homogenization heat treating an ingot formed by dissolution and casting, the above structure is formed by subjecting the ingot to hot processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KOBE UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Kota Washio, Akira Kato, Toshiji Mukai, Alok Singh, Hidetoshi Somekawa
  • Patent number: 9347123
    Abstract: The quasicrystal phase and/or quasicrystal-like phase particles, which is composed of the Mg—Zn—Al, are dispersed into Mg-base alloy material for strain working. The microstructure in this material does not include the dendrite structure, and the size of the magnesium matrix is 40 ?m or less than 40 ?m. The present invention shows that the quasicrystal phase and/or quasicrystal-like phase is able to form by addition of the Zn and Al elements except for the use of rare earth elements. In addition, the excellent trade-off-balancing between strength and ductility and reduction of the yield anisotropy, which are the serious issues for the wrought processed magnesium alloys, is able to obtain by the microstructure controls before the strain working process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Somekawa, Yoshiaki Osawa, Alok Singh, Toshiji Mukai
  • Patent number: 9155816
    Abstract: A magnesium-based medical device which can adjust a degree of corrosion within a wide range of period such that the device can maintain a sufficient strength only during a desired period and disappears within a desired period thereafter and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A magnesium-based medical device of the present invention is a magnesium-based medical device in which a base material is made of magnesium or a magnesium alloy, wherein a corrosion-resistant film is formed on a surface of the base material, and variation in surface hardness of the formed corrosion-resistant film in the in-plane direction is less than 21 in terms of a dispersion value of Vickers hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Sachiko Hiromoto, Akiko Yamamoto, Norio Maruyama, Toshiji Mukai, Hidetoshi Somekawa
  • Publication number: 20150083285
    Abstract: A magnesium alloy of the present invention has the chemical composition that contains 0.02 mol % or more and less than 0.1 mol % of at least one element selected from yttrium, scandium, and lanthanoid rare earth elements, and magnesium and unavoidable impurities accounting for the remainder. A magnesium alloy member of the present invention is produced by hot plastic working of the magnesium alloy in a temperature range of 200° C. to 550° C., followed by an isothermal heat treatment performed in a temperature range of 300° C. to 600° C. The magnesium alloy is preferred for use in applications such as in automobiles, railcars, and aerospace flying objects. The magnesium alloy and the magnesium alloy member can overcome the yielding stress anisotropy problem, and are less vulnerable to the rising price of rare earth elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Somekawa, Yoshiaki Osawa, Toshiji Mukai, Alok Singh, Kota Washio, Akira Kato
  • Publication number: 20150047756
    Abstract: Provided is an Mg alloy and a method for producing same able to demonstrate high strength without requiring an expensive rare earth element (RE). The high-strength Mg alloy containing Ca and Zn within a solid solubility limit and the remainder having a chemical composition comprising Mg and unavoidable impurities is characterized in comprising equiaxial crystal particles, there being a segregated area of Ca and Zn along the (c) axis of a Mg hexagonal lattice within the crystal particle, and having a structure in which the segregated area is lined up by Mg3 atomic spacing in the (a) axis of the Mg hexagonal lattice. The method for producing the high-strength Mg alloy is characterized in that Ca and Zn are added to Mg in a compounding amount corresponding to the above composition and, after homogenization heat treating an ingot formed by dissolution and casting, the above structure is formed by subjecting the ingot to hot processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KOBE UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL INSITITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Kota Washio, Akira Kato, Toshiji Mukai, Alok Singh, Hidetoshi Somekawa
  • Patent number: 8906293
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a magnesium alloy having high strength and sufficient formability. A magnesium alloy mainly contains magnesium and has high tensile strength and high compression strength. The crystal grain structure of the alloy has a high angle grain boundary, and the inside of the crystal grain surrounded by the high angle grain boundary is composed of subgrains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Toshiji Mukai, Hidetoshi Somekawa, Tadanobu Inoue, Alok Singh
  • Patent number: 8728254
    Abstract: Provided is a Mg alloy, in which precipitated particles are dispersed and which has enhanced tensile strength regardless of the size of the magnesium matrix grains therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Alok Singh, Hidetoshi Somekawa, Toshiji Mukai, Yoshiaki Osawa
  • Patent number: 8636853
    Abstract: An Mg alloy provided with high strength and high ductility by matching the strength and ductility in tensile deformation and compressive deformation at the same levels is provided. The Mg alloy of the present invention is characterized by having a chemical composition consisting of Y: 0.1 to 1.5 at % and a balance of Mg and unavoidable impurities and having a microstructure with high Y regions with Y concentrations higher than an average Y concentration distributed at nanometer order sizes and intervals. The present invention further provides an Mg alloy characterized by having a chemical composition consisting of Y: more than 0.1 at % and a valance of Mg and unavoidable impurities, having a microstructure with high Y regions with Y concentrations higher than an average Y concentration distributed at nanometer order sizes and intervals and having an average recrystallized grain size within the range satisfying the following formula 1: ?0.87c+1.10<log d<1.14c+1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Tetsuya Shoji, Akira Kato, Toshiji Mukai, Hidetoshi Somekawa
  • Publication number: 20130039805
    Abstract: A magnesium alloy which contains magnesium as a main component and other elements added has a microstructure in which grains surrounded by high angle grain boundaries consist of subgrains and fine particles are dispersed into the subgrains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Somekawa, Toshiji Mukai
  • Patent number: 8313692
    Abstract: An Mg-base alloy shows that an Mg-base alloy, which is added Zn and Al to magnesium, has a composition represented by (100-a-b) wt % Mg-a wt % Al-b wt % Zn, and satisfying 0.5?b/a. The alloy can reduce yield anisotropy, which is a serious problem for the wrought magnesium alloy, while maintaining a high strength property. The alloy is produced by additive elements, such as Zn and Al, which are easily obtained in place of rare earth elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Somekawa, Alok Singh, Yoshiaki Osawa, Toshiji Mukai
  • Publication number: 20120067463
    Abstract: Provided is a Mg alloy, in which precipitated particles are dispersed and which has enhanced tensile strength regardless of the size of the magnesium matrix grains therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Alok Singh, Hidetoshi Somekawa, Toshiji Mukai, Yoshiaki Osawa
  • Publication number: 20110315282
    Abstract: The quasicrystal phase and/or quasicrystal-like phase particles, which is composed of the Mg—Zn—Al, are dispersed into Mg-base alloy material for strain working. The microstructure in this material does not include the dendrite structure, and the size of the magnesium matrix is 40 ?m or less than 40 ?m. The present invention shows that the quasicrystal phase and/or quasicrystal-like phase is able to form by addition of the Zn and Al elements except for the use of rare earth elements. In addition, the excellent trade-off-balancing between strength and ductility and reduction of the yield anisotropy, which are the serious issues for the wrought processed magnesium alloys, is able to obtain by the microstructure controls before the strain working process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Somekawa, Yoshiaki Osawa, Alok Singh, Toshiji Mukai
  • Patent number: 8034101
    Abstract: As a novel biodegradable metallic material the degradation speed of which in vivo can be controlled over a broad scope while achieving desired mechanical properties such as strength, work hardening and ductility without restricting the shape of an implant device, it is intended to provide a magnesium-based biodegradable metallic material which comprises Mg containing Mg as the major composition and having a concentration of inevitable impurities equal to or less than 0.05 atomic %, is free from precipitates or intermetallic compounds, and has an average grain size being regulated to equal to or less than ¼ of the minimum part of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Akiko Yamamoto, Sachiko Hiromoto, Norio Maruyama, Toshiji Mukai, Hidetoshi Somekawa
  • Publication number: 20110135532
    Abstract: The present invention has as its object to provide an Mg-based alloy cold worked member which can remarkably lower the load weight required for cold plastic working and enables practical usage of the same. The present invention is an Mg-based alloy cold worked member obtained by cold working an Mg-based alloy to form it into a predetermined shape, characterized by having a microstructure which includes crystal grains divided and made finer by cold working.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Toshiji Mukai, Hidetoshi Somekawa, Tetsuya Shoji, Akira Kato