Abstract: A method of and system for electrolytic production of reactive metals is presented. The method includes providing a molten oxide electrolytic cell including a container, an anode, and a current collector and disposing a molten oxide electrolyte within the container and in ion conducting contact with the anode and the current collector. The electrolyte includes a mixture of at least one alkaline earth oxide and at least one rare earth oxide. The method also includes providing a metal oxide feedstock including at least one target metal species into the molten oxide electrolyte and applying a current between the anode and the current collector, thereby reducing the target metal species to form at least one molten target metal in the container.

Abstract: A composite housing of an electronic device can include a metal shell including a first material having a first set of material properties and a surface at least partially defining an exterior surface of the electronic device. The composite housing can also include an interior portion including a second material having a second set of material properties independent of the first set of material properties and at least partially defining a feature. The interior portion can be bonded to the shell and disposed interior to the surface of the shell.

Abstract: Methods and systems for casting and thermoplastically forming bulk metallic glass articles are described. A molten alloy can be fed into a mold with a three-dimensional shape and a cavity. The mold is configured such that multiple two-dimensional cross sections of the cavity of the mold are different from one another in multiple first mathematical planes intersecting the cavity displaced from one another in a direction normal to the mathematical planes intersecting the cavity. Cooling the molten alloy in the mold provides one or more near net shape bulk metallic glass castings, can be thermoplastically formed using forms at a temperature above Tg to provide a bulk metallic glass article with a desired final shape.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a wristwatch may include a conductive housing. A corrosion-resistant coating may be deposited on the conductive housing. The coating may include transition layers and an uppermost alloy layer. The transition layers may include a chromium seed layer on the conductive housing and a chromium nitride layer on the chromium seed layer. The uppermost alloy layer may include TiCrCN or other alloys and may provide the coating with desired optical reflection and absorption characteristics. The transition layers may include a minimal number of coating defects, thereby eliminating potential sites at which visible defects could form when exposed to salt water. This may allow the electronic device to exhibit a desired color and to be submerged in salt water without producing undesirable visible defects on the conductive housing structures.

Abstract: A glass fastening system includes a fastener having a first portion embedded along an interlayer within a laminated glass portion and a second portion extending outward from an exterior surface of the laminated glass portion for use in attachment to a support structure. Another glass fastening system includes a fastener having a first portion adhered to an exterior surface of a glass pane and a second portion extending from the first portion away from the exterior surface for use in attachment to a support structure. A glass sealing system includes a pair of glass panes having offset edge portions and a seal including an overmold portion capturing the edge portions. Another glass sealing system includes a seal having an internal portion embedded within a laminated glass portion and an external portion extending along an exterior surface of the laminated glass portion.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an aluminum alloy may include iron (Fe) of at least 0.10 wt %, silicon (Si) of at least 0.35 wt %, and magnesium (Mg) of at least 0.45 wt %, manganese (Mn) in amount of at least 0.005 wt %, and additional elements, the remaining wt % being Al and incidental impurities.

Abstract: This application relates to an enclosure for a portable electronic device is described. The enclosure can include metal bands included along the enclosure and a support structure. The support structure can include a thermally conductive core that is capable of conducting thermal energy generated by the operational components and rails that are bound between the metal bands and the thermally conductive core, where the rails are characterized as having a rate of thermal conductivity that is less than a rate of thermal conductivity of the thermally conductive core so that the thermal energy generated by the operational component is directed away from the operational component and away from the metal bands.

Abstract: Methods of preparing Zr based metallic using Zr sponge refined by a refining process are described. An exemplary method includes heating Zr sponge in a processing chamber with an electron-beam-heating apparatus or an arc-melting apparatus under a desired pressure condition to release volatile contaminants from the Zr sponge, introducing a purge gas into the processing chamber and permitting the purge gas to intermingle with at least some of the released volatile contaminants, evacuating the processing chamber to extract at least some of the purge gas and released volatile contaminants, repeating the heating of the Zr sponge, the introducing of the purge gas, and the evacuating of the processing chamber release and evacuate additional volatile contaminants from the Zr sponge to provide a processed Zr sponge with enhanced purity, and melting the processed Zr sponge with multiple other alloy constituents to provide a Zr-based metallic alloy.

Abstract: A thermoplastic forming method is provided for replicating the fine texture from a glass (e.g., silicate) mold.

Abstract: The disclosure provides aluminum alloys with high tensile strength and appealing cosmetics and improved tensile yield strength. The aluminum alloys include 0.5 to 3.0 wt % Mg and 0.2 to 3.0 wt % Si. The alloys have a weight ratio of Mg to Si ranging from 2 to 4.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to Zr and Hf bearing alloys that are capable of forming a metallic glass, and more particularly metallic glass rods with diameters at least 1 mm and as large as 5 mm or larger. The disclosure is further directed to Zr and Hf bearing alloys that demonstrate a favorable combination of glass forming ability, strength, toughness, bending ductility, and/or corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A counter gravity casting apparatus includes a reusable metal mold having a plurality of mold cavities, a feed tube configured to feed molten alloy into the mold, and a vacuum fitting configured to permit a vacuum to be applied to the mold. The mold includes multiple metal sections configured such that adjacent metal sections mate to one another, the metal sections being separable from one another. The metal sections include recesses that form the mold cavities, and the mold includes a sprue and multiple runner passages. The sprue is configured to receive molten alloy from the feed tube, and the multiple runner passages are configured to feed molten alloy from the sprue to the mold cavities. Methods of casting bulk amorphous alloy articles or feedstock is described.

Abstract: Methods of preparing Zr based metallic using Zr sponge refined by a refining process are described. An exemplary method includes heating Zr sponge in a processing chamber with an electron-beam-heating apparatus or an arc-melting apparatus under a desired pressure condition to release volatile contaminants from the Zr sponge, introducing a purge gas into the processing chamber and permitting the purge gas to intermingle with at least some of the released volatile contaminants, evacuating the processing chamber to extract at least some of the purge gas and released volatile contaminants, repeating the heating of the Zr sponge, the introducing of the purge gas, and the evacuating of the processing chamber release and evacuate additional volatile contaminants from the Zr sponge to provide a processed Zr sponge with enhanced purity, and melting the processed Zr sponge with multiple other alloy constituents to provide a Zr-based metallic alloy.

Abstract: A counter gravity casting apparatus includes a reusable metal mold having a plurality of mold cavities, a feed tube configured to feed molten alloy into the mold, and a vacuum fitting configured to permit a vacuum to be applied to the mold. The mold includes multiple metal sections configured such that adjacent metal sections mate to one another, the metal sections being separable from one another. The metal sections include recesses that form the mold cavities, and the mold includes a sprue and multiple runner passages. The sprue is configured to receive molten alloy from the feed tube, and the multiple runner passages are configured to feed molten alloy from the sprue to the mold cavities. Methods of casting bulk amorphous alloy articles or feedstock is described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing metallic alloys comprising volatile materials such as phosphorus suitable for bulk metallic glasses are described. The methods variously involve carrying out alloying at temperatures and pressures that minimize or counteract sublimation of the volatile species.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to Zr and Hf bearing alloys that are capable of forming a metallic glass, and more particularly metallic glass rods with diameters at least 1 mm and as large as 5 mm or larger. The disclosure is further directed to Zr and Hf bearing alloys that demonstrate a favorable combination of glass forming ability, strength, toughness, bending ductility, and/or corrosion resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bulk metallic glasses (BMG) comprising 0.0001 wt % to 0.7 wt % of Be, 0.0001 wt % to 0.2 wt % of Be, or 0.06 wt % to 0.08 wt % of Be. Be may have the effect of reducing a liquidus temperature of the BMG relative to melting temperatures of individual alloying elements of the BMG.

Abstract: A die casting method initially injects an alloy with minimal volumetric contraction during solidification into a die cavity, monitors at least one of the pressure of the shot cylinder and the position of the plunger, and reduces the injection pressure during the final stage of filling of the die mold. A die casting machine includes a shot cylinder having one of a pressure detector located for detecting the hydraulic pressure applied to the cylinder or a position sensor for a plunger rod. The plunger rod includes a tip extending into a cold chamber, which receives a metal alloy having a minimal shrinkage characteristic. A source of hydraulic pressure is coupled to the shot cylinder by a control valve and a control circuit is coupled to said valve and to one of said detector or sensor for reducing the injection pressure near the end of an injection cycle.

Abstract: A gate assembly for diverting substantially flat articles is provided. The gate assembly comprises a mounting bracket having an upright support member and a mounting member secured to the upright support member and a diverter vane having a slot for slidably receiving at least a portion of the upright support member of the mounting bracket. A least one protrusion is formed on the mounting bracket and at least one recessed area is formed in the diverter vane with each recessed area receiving a corresponding protrusion of the mounting member. A motion mechanism secured to the mounting bracket for selectively moving the combined mounting bracket and diverter vane thereby diverting the articles to a predetermined desired location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a metal component from a non-dendritic, semi-solid metal alloy slurry involves the use of a graphite agitator that is functionally equivalent to conventional metal rod agitators, and has the additional advantage of having a very low surface wettability, whereby labor and expenses associated with removing a metal alloy skin formed after withdrawal of the agitator from a metal slurry is eliminated or at least substantially reduced. The invention also provides an improved process and apparatus for producing a metal component from a non-dendritic semi-solid metal slurry by transferring the slurry to a cooling vessel for subsequent cooling and raising of the solids content without agitation after the slurry has been formed with agitation in a first vessel, whereby more rapid cooling of the slurry and increased production rates are achievable.