Abstract: A process for removing poly(vinylbutyral) binder from multilayer alumina structures containing metal circuitry. The green structure is heated in a defined atmosphere which is reducing or neutral with respect to the metal circuitry, and at higher temperatures, oxidizing with respect to carbon. The atmosphere comprises inert gas, water vapor and up to about 20% hydrogen.

Abstract: An endogenerator is provided in which CO and H.sub.2 are generated as primary products of hydrocarbon oxidation. Noble metal catalysts such as platinum (Pt) and particularly rhodium (Rh), are loaded on a porous ceramic support, of example, an alumina carrier. In the endogenerator reactor little or no CO and H.sub.2 are produced by the slow and energy-intensive reforming reactions and this allows for a compact reactor which operates autothermally without auxiliary heating means, and with high space velocities wherein space velocity is defined as the number of standard cubic feet per hour of output gas per cubic foot of the catalyst carrier. Preferred hydrocarbons are methane or propane, preferred oxidants are nitrogen/oxygen mixtures with from 5% oxygen up to 100% oxygen. The endogenerator of the present invention provides a process and apparatus that generates the required reducing gases CO and H.sub.2 for heat treating applications which require leaner atmospheres and lower carbon potentials.

Abstract: A process for removing binder from a body comprising ceramic particles and binder by heating the body at a substantially constant rate of temperature rise over the temperature range where a peak rate of body weight loss occurs in a gaseous environment of inert gas and oxidizer wherein the oxidizer concentration varies with the rate of temperature rise to reduce the peak rate of body weight loss.

Abstract: Process for producing superconducting metal-oxide textiles comprising impregnating a preformed, organic textile material with metal compounds in a desired atomic ratio, heating the material in a weakly oxidizing atmosphere to pyrolize and oxidize the organic material, maintaining the material at temperature in an oxidizing atmosphere, and cooling the material in an oxidizing atmosphere, so as to form a crystalline structure capable of superconducting.

Abstract: A method of rapidly quenching articles in a fluidized bed or in a collapsed bed, wherein the bed comprises fine solid particles. A high conductivity gas may be used to transfer heat to or from the fluidized bed or the collapsed bed during at least a portion of the quenching. The high conductivity gas may be used to fluidize the bed during at least a portion of the quenching. The rate of heat transfer from or to the article quenched is improved by moving the article being quenched relative to the quenching bed or by moving the quenching bed about the article.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for the thermal treating of articles, particulary for the quench hardening of metal alloys in an improved fluidized bed containing from 21 to 60 weight percent of fine alumina particles having a size from 20 to 100 microns and from 40 to 79 weight percent of coarse alumina particles having a size from 150 to 2000 microns.

Abstract: In a process for drawing wire through the nib of a die comprising lubricating the wire with a dry soap and drawing the lubricated wire through the nib in such a manner that a film of soap is formed on the surface of the nib, the improvement comprising maintaining the working surface of the nib at a temperature lower than that of the melting point of the soap whereby that portion of the film immediately adjacent to the surface of the nib solidifies, and a die therefor.

Abstract: A method for making a fastener having a head and a shank from a slug consisting essentially of an AISI 200 or 300 series stainless steel having an Md.sub.30 temperature in the range of about minus 50.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C. comprising the following steps:(a) cooling the slug to a temperature at least about 50.degree. C. below the Md.sub.30 temperature of the stainless steel minus 30.degree. C.(b) extruding a portion of the cooled slug to provide the shank while simultaneously heating the remaining portion of the cooled slug to a temperature in the range of about Md.sub.30 minus 30.degree. C. to about 500.degree. C.; and(c) upsetting the heated remaining portion to provide the head.

Abstract: In a process for improving the strength characteristics of a wire composed of an austenitic metal alloy selected from the group consisting of stainless steel alloys of the AISI 200 and 300 series and non-stainless steel alloys containing iron, manganese, chromium, and carbon, comprising the following steps:(a) deforming the wire at a strain of at least about 10 percent and at a temperataure in the range of about Md minus 50.degree. C. to about Md plus 50.degree. C.,(b) cooling the wire to a temperature no higher than about minus 75.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for improving the strength characteristics of a wire composed of an austenitic metal alloy selected from the group consisting of stainless steel alloys of the AISI 200 and 300 series and non-stainless steel alloys containing iron, manganese, chromium, and carbon, said alloy having an Md temperature of no higher than about 100.degree. C. and an Ms temperature of no higher than about minus 100.degree. C., comprising the following steps:(a) deforming the wire at a strain of at least about 10 percent and at a temperature in the range of about Md minus 50.degree. C. to about Md plus 50.degree. C., said Md temperature being that of the alloy undergoing deformation, in such a manner that the wire has a martensite phase of no greater than about 10 percent by volume and an austenite phase of at least about 90 percent by volume and a yield strength in the range of about 130,000 psi to about 230,000 psi;(b) cooling the wire to a temperature no higher than about minus 75.degree. C.

Abstract: In a method for cryogenically forming a sheet of aluminum or a solid solution strengthened aluminum alloy wherein the sheet has a maximum thickness of about 0.2 inch, said method comprising forming said sheet into a shaped article of desired configuration by deforming said sheet at a cryogenic temperature in the range of about minus 100.degree. C. to about minus 200.degree. C.,the improvement comprising:(a) work-hardening the sheet to at least about 25 percent of maximum hardness prior to the cryogenic deformation; and(b) conducting the cryogenic deformation in such a manner that (i) at least part of the sheet is deformed by tensile stresses, (ii) the thickness of said part is reduced by at least 2 percent by said deformation, and (iii) the smallest dimension of the area of the part to be deformed is at least equal to the thickness of the sheet.