Abstract: Ni-Ti intermetallic compounds are produced by subjecting a laminate of Ni foils and Ti foils to a rolling for thickness adjustment and then to a diffusion heat treatment at multistages within a particular temperature range for a particular time.

Abstract: A rare-earth metal series alloy for storage of hydrogen is represented by a general formula of Rem.sub.1 Ni.sub.w Al.sub.x Fe.sub.y M.sub.z as an atomic ratio (wherein Rem is at least one rare earth element such as Mischmetal, M is at least one of Cu, Nb, Si and Zr, and 2.5<w<5.5, 0<x<2.0, 0<y<2.0, 0<z<2.0 and 4.0.ltoreq.w+x+y+z.ltoreq.6.0). Further, the alloy is coated with a film of at least one of Pd, Cu and Ni having a thickness of 100-1000 .ANG..

Abstract: A wide thin metal sheet having a smooth surface may be manufactured directly from molten metal. A lower end of a nozzle installed vertically at the bottom of a molten metal vessel is held in contact with an inclined plate made of a refractory material, molten metal is discharged in a fan-shape from a notch formed in the peripheral wall of the nozzle end, the discharged molten metal being rendered into a constant shape laminar flow having a uniform flow rate distribution on the inclined surface as it flows down the inclined plate. The constant shape laminar flow is supplied to a molten metal pool between a pair of rollers of internally water-cooled type without any disturbance on the surface and in the inside. The metal solidified in the neighborhood of a portion of the gap between the two rollers is discharged from an open-at-the-bottom space defined between the two rollers.

Abstract: A zirconium alloy having a plateau region of equilibrium hydrogen dissociation pressure and a small hysteresis, whose hydrogen dissociation pressure is in a range of 0.6 to 3 atm at 20.degree. C., 1 to 5 atm at 40.degree. C., and 1 to 17 atm at 80.degree. C., the activation of which can be effected according to a single procedure of vacuum evacuation at room temperature and pressurization under a hydrogen pressure of 30 atm at room temperature, and which is comparable or superior in the rates of hydrogen absorption and release, the maximum hydrogen absorbing capacity and effective hydrogen releasing capacity to conventional zirconium alloys. A hydrogen absorbing and releasing material comprising an alloy as mentioned above and thin films of one element selected from Pd, Cu, and Ni, which allows only hydrogen to permeate, and covering the surfaces of particles of the alloy.