Abstract: A method is provided for producing a wire or tape, especially for use as an electrode or electrode tip in spark plugs. The method includes the following steps: (a) producing an intermetallic compound having a melting point above 1700° C.; (b) grinding the intermetallic compound; (c) mixing the intermetallic compound with metal powder; (d) introducing the mixture obtained in step (c) in a tube produced from ductile material; and (e) shaping the tube filled in step (d) to give a wire or tape. Also provided are a wrapped wire or wrapped tape, especially a semifinished product for producing electrodes or electrode tips of spark plugs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gold alloy containing 99 wt. %, preferably 99.9 wt. % gold, and 1 to 1000 ppm, preferably 10 to 100 ppm calcium, and 1 to 1000 ppm, preferably 10 to 100 ppm ytterbium or europium or a mixture of ytterbium and europium, as well as a method for producing a homogeneous gold alloy containing europium and/or ytterbium.

Abstract: A process for producing a tube target for cathode sputtering plants, in which the tube target is formed from a metallic inner tube (target holder) made of a first material with a first melting point of Ts1≧900 K and a metallic outer tube (target) that concentrically surrounds the inner tube and that is made of a second material with a second melting point of Ts2≦800 K. The inside diameter of the outer tube and the outside diameter of the inner tube are proportioned in such a way that the two tubes fit together tightly and are mechanically firmly joined. The outer tube is formed by casting the second material in a molten state in a heated, vertical, cylindrical permanent mold, which has a heated mandrel that constitutes the inner tube.

Abstract: A process for producing a tube target for cathode sputtering plants, in which the tube target is formed from a metallic inner tube (target holder) made of a first material with a first melting point of Ts1≧900 K and a metallic outer tube (target) that concentrically surrounds the inner tube and that is made of a second material with a second melting point of Ts2≦800 K. The inside diameter of the outer tube and the outside diameter of the inner tube are proportioned in such a way that the two tubes fit together tightly and are mechanically firmly joined. The outer tube is formed by casting the second material in a molten state in a heated, vertical, A cylindrical permanent mold, which has a heated mandrel that constitutes the inner tube.

Abstract: An SiO2-glass bulb with at least one current lead-in made of a gas-tight composite material, such that the composite material consists of a noble metal with a melting point >1,700° C. and SiO2 and is at least partially coated with a layer of SiO2. The noble metal and the SiO2 are homogeneously distributed in the composite material. The noble metal content of the composite material is ≧10 vol. % to ≦50 vol. %, and the SiO2 coating covers the composite material at least in the region of the connection with the SiO2-glass bulb.

Abstract: An SiO2-glass bulb with at least one current lead-in made of a gas-tight composite material, such that the composite material consists of a noble metal with a melting point >1,700° C. and SiO2 and is at least partially coated with a layer of SiO2. The noble metal and the SiO2 are homogeneously distributed in the composite material. The noble metal content of the composite material is ≧10 vol. % to ≦50 vol. %, and the SiO2 coating covers the composite material at least in the region of the connection with the SiO2-glass bulb.