Abstract: Guide wires and catheters made from a functionally graded alloy comprising 3-10 weight % Al and 5-20 weight % Mn, the balance being substantially Cu and inevitable impurities. The functionally graded alloy is produced by forming the copper-based alloy, maintaining it at a temperature of at least 500° C. and rapidly cooling it, and then subjecting the alloy to an aging treatment by a gradient temperature heater.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy comprises Co, Ni and Al with a two-phase structure comprising a ?-phase having a B2 structure and a ?-phase having an fcc structure, at least 40% by area of crystal grain boundaries of the ?-phase being occupied by the ?-phase. The shape memory alloy can be produced by a first heat treatment step comprising heating at 1200 to 1350° C. for 0.1 to 50 hours and cooling at 0.1 to 1000° C./minute, and a second heat treatment step comprising heating at 1000 to 1320° C. for 0.1 to 50 hours and cooling at 10 to 10000° C./minute.

Abstract: Provided is free cutting alloy excellent in machinability, preserving various characteristics as alloy. The free cutting alloy contains: one or more of Ti and Zr as a metal element component; and C being an indispensable element as a bonding component with the metal element component, wherein a (Ti,Zr) based compound including one or more of S, Se and Te is formed in a matrix metal phase. The free cutting alloy is more excellent in machinability, preserving various characteristics as alloy at similar levels to a conventional case. The effect is especially conspicuous, for example, when a compound expressed in a chemical form of (Ti,Zr)4C2(S,Se,Te)2 as the (Ti,Zr) based compound is formed at least in a dispersed state in the alloy structure.

Abstract: Provided is free cutting alloy excellent in machinability, preserving various characteristics as alloy. The free cutting alloy contains: one or more of Ti and Zr as a metal element component; and C being an indispensable element as a bonding component with the metal element component, wherein a (Ti,Zr) based compound including one or more of S, Se and Te is formed in a matrix metal phase. The free cutting alloy is more excellent in machinability, preserving various characteristics as alloy at similar levels to a conventional case. The effect is especially conspicuous, for example, when a compound expressed in a chemical form of (Ti,Zr)4C2(S,Se,Te)2 as the (Ti,Zr) based compound is formed at least in a dispersed state in the alloy structure.

Abstract: A copper alloy having superior thermal conductivity comparable to that of conventional materials, can be produced at low cost. An oxygen free copper, a base material of a Cu—B alloy were melted in vacuo by a casting method, B and at least one element selected from Mg, Ni, Co, Al, Si, Fe, Zr, and Mn are added into the molten metal wherein the content of each element or the alloy of Ni—B, Fe—B, Cu—Mg, and so forth becoming the predetermined content. This alloy is cast into an ingot of 12 mm square, heated at 600 to 900° C. for 1 hour, and the cast was rolled to be 3 mm by hot rolling. After these steps, heat treatment at 600 to 900° C. was provided and processed into predetermined shape.

Abstract: A low carbon free cutting steel can be obtained by allowing the steel to contain 0.02 to 0.15 mass % of C, 0.05 to 1.8 mass % of Mn, 0.20 to 0.49 mass % of S, more than 0.01 mass % and not more than 0.03 mass % of O, 0.3 to 2.3% of Cr, and the balance consisting of Fe and inevitable impurities, the Cr/S ratio falling within a range of between 2 and 6.

Abstract: A free-cutting tool steel is provided containing Fe and C in an amount of 0.1 to 2.5 wt %, Ti and or Zr where WTi+0.52WZr constitutes 0.03 to 3.5 wt %, and WTi represents Ti content and WZr represents Zr content, at least any one of S, Se and Te where WS+0.4WSe+0.25WTe constitutes 0.01 to 1.0 wt %, and (WTi+0.52WZr)/(WS+0.4WSe+0.25WTe) constitutes 1 to 4, and WS represents S content, WSe represents Se content and WTe represents Te content; and dispersed therein a texture thereof from 0.1 to 10% in terms of area ratio in a section of a machinability improving compound phase of a metallic element component of Ti and/or Zr as major components, and a binding component for the metallic element component containing C and any one of S, Se and Te.

Abstract: A free-cutting Ni-base heat-resistant alloy excellent in the high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance was proposed. The alloy contains Ni as a major component, 0.01 to 0.3 wt % of C and 14 to 35 wt % of Cr, and further contains at least one element selected from Ti, Zr and Hf in a total amount of 0.1 to 6 wt %, and S in an amount of 0.015 to 0.5 wt %. The alloy has dispersed in the matrix thereof a machinability improving compound phase, where such phase contains any one of Ti, Zr and Hf as a major constituent of the metal elements, essentially contains C and either S or Se as a binding component for such metal elements. The alloy also satisfies the relations of WTi+0.53WZr+0.27WHf>2WC+0.75WS and WC>0.37WS, where WTi represents Ti content (wt %), WZr represents Zr content (wt %), WHf represents Hf content (wt %), WC represents C content (wt %) and WS represents S content (wt %).

Abstract: A member having a separated structure made by an alloy consisting of two regions having different compositions with each other is formed by casting a molten alloy into a prescribed shape, or by spray-quenching the same from a temperature of Tc+10° C. or more, wherein the molten alloy exhibits two phase separation in a liquid state having a temperature difference &Dgr;T between the maximum temperature Tc (° C.) and minimum temperature Td (° C.) in the region of two phase separation in the liquid state being 10° C. or more, and the molten alloy has a mean composition with a difference of the volume fraction between the two liquid phases of 5% by volume or more. The suitable alloy is a Cu—Fe—X alloy, a Cu—Cr—X alloy, a Cu—Co—X alloy, a Cu—Bi—X alloy, an Al—Sn—X alloy or an Al—In—X alloy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a corrosion resistant steel having good machinability with sufficient corrosion resistance in the ordinary indoor circumstances and suitable for manufacturing shafts of various small motors and OA-machines. The steel comprises, by weight %, C: 0.005-0.200%, P: up to 0.05%, Cu: up to 2.0%, Ni: up to 2.0%, Cr: 2.0-9.0%, one or both of Ti and Zr: in such an amount as [Ti %]+0.52[Zr %]: 0.03-1.20%, one or both of S: 0.01-0.50% and Se: 0.01-0.40%, N: up to 0.050% and O: up to 0.030%, the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities. The steel is characterized by the inclusion therein, which are Ti-based, Zr-based or Ti-Zr-based compound or compounds containing C and one or both of S and Se.

Abstract: Provided is free cutting alloy excellent in machinability, preserving various characteristics as alloy. The free cutting alloy contains: one or more of Ti and Zr as a metal element component; and C being an indispensable element as a bonding component with the metal element component, wherein a (Ti, Zr) based compound including one or more of S, Se and Te is formed in a matrix metal phase. The free cutting alloy is more excellent in machinability, preserving various characteristics as alloy at similar levels to a conventional case. The effect is especially conspicuous, for example, when a compound expressed in a chemical form of (Ti, Zr)4C2(S, Se, Te)2 as the (Ti, Zr) based compound is formed at least in a dispersed state in the alloy structure.

Abstract: A free-cutting tool steel is provided containing Fe and C in an amount of 0.1 to 2.5 wt %, Ti and or Zr where WTi+0.52WZr constitutes 0.03 to 3.5 wt %, and WTi represents Ti content and WZr represents Zr content, at least any one of S, Se and Te where WS+0.4WSe+0.25WTe constitutes 0.01 to 1.0 wt %, and (WTi+0.52WZr)/(WS+0.4WSe+0.25WTe) constitutes 1 to 4, and WS represents S content, WSe represents Se content and WTe represents Te content; and dispersed therein a texture thereof from 0.1 to 10% in terms of area ratio in a section of a machinability improving compound phase of a metallic element component of Ti and/or Zr as major components, and a binding component for the metallic element component containing C and any one of S, Se and Te.

Abstract: Disclosed is a corrosion resistant steel having good machinability with sufficient corrosion resistance in the ordinary indoor circumstances and suitable for manufacturing shafts of various small motors and OA-machines. The steel comprises, by weight %, C: 0.005-0.200%, P: up to 0.05%, Cu: up to 2.0%, Ni: up to 2.0%, Cr: 2.0-9.0%, one or both of Ti and Zr: in such an amount as [Ti%]+0.52[Zr%]: 0.03-1.20%, one or both of S: 0.01-0.50% and Se: 0.01-0.40%, N: up to 0.050% and O: up to 0.030%, the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities. The steel is characterized by the inclusion therein, which are Ti-based, Zr-based or Ti—Zr-based compound or compounds containing C and one or both of S and Se.

Abstract: A free-cutting Ni-base heat-resistant alloy excellent in the high-temperature strength and corrosion resistance was proposed. The alloy contains Ni as a major component, 0.01 to 0.3 wt % of C and 14 to 35 wt % of Cr, and further contains at least one element selected from Ti, Zr and Hf in a total amount of 0.1 to 6 wt %, and S in an amount of 0.015 to 0.5 wt %. The alloy has dispersed in the matrix thereof a machinability improving compound phase, where such phase contains any one of Ti, Zr and Hf as a major constituent of the metal elements, essentially contains C and either S or Se as a binding component for such metal elements. The alloy also satisfies the relations of WTi+0.53WZr+0.27WHf>2WC+0.75WS and WC>0.37WS, where WTi represents Ti content (wt %), WZr represents Zr content (wt %), WHf represents Hf content (wt %), WC represents C content (wt %) and WS represents S content (wt %).

Abstract: The present invention provides a copper-based alloy having high shape memory properties and superelasticity while maintaining an excellent workability, members such as a wire, plate, pipe, etc. made of the copper-based alloy, and methods for producing them. The copper-based alloy has a recrystallization structure substantially composed of &bgr;-single phase, and can be produced by a method comprising the steps of: forming an alloy by cold-working with a particular maximum cold-working ratio; and subjecting the cold-worked alloy to at least one solution treatment for improving a crystal orientation of the &bgr;-single phase, a quenching and an aging treatment. The maximum cold-working ratio is set so that the crystal orientation density of the &bgr;-single phase measured by an electron back scattering pattern method is 2.0 or more in a cold-working direction.

Abstract: Guide wires and catheters made from a functionally graded alloy comprising 3-10 weight % Al and 5-20 weight % Mn, the balance being substantially Cu and inevitable impurities. The functionally graded alloy is produced by forming the copper-based alloy, maintaining it at a temperature of at least 500° C. and rapidly cooling it, and then subjecting the alloy to an aging treatment by a gradient temperature heater.

Abstract: The functionally graded alloy having a composition comprising 3-10 weight % of Al, 5-20 weight % of Mn, the balance being substantially Cu and inevitable impurities has a first portion composed essentially of a &bgr;-phase, a second portion composed essentially of an &agr;-phase and a Heusler phase, and a third portion having a crystal structure changing continuously or stepwise from the first portion to the second portion. The functionally graded alloy can be produced by forming a copper-based alloy having the above composition, keeping it at 500° C. or higher and rapidly cooling it, and then subjecting it to an aging treatment by a gradient temperature heater. Such functionally graded alloy can suitably be used for guide wires and catheters.

Abstract: Machinable ferrite stainless steels having an excellent corrosion resistance, consisting of not more than 0.030% of C, not more than 0.050% of N, not more than 0.012% of O, not more than 0.8% of Si, not more than 1.6% of Mn, 0.05-0.40% of S, 16-22% of Cr, and 1-3% of Mo, or at least one of 0.03-0.25% of Pb, 0.03-0.20% of Se and 0.01-0.15% of Te, the remainder being Fe, provided that the sum of C and N is not more than 0.060% and Mn/S is 2-5, characterized by that Cr content based on 100 parts by weight of sulfide inclusions formed in the said steels is 10-50 parts by weight.This is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 942,138, filed Sept. 13, 1978.

Abstract: Machinable ferrite stainless steels having an excellent corrosion resistance, consisting of not more than 0.030% of C, not more than 0.050% of N, not more than 0.012% of O, not more than 0.8% of Si, not more than 1.6% of Mn, 0.05-0.40% of S, 16-22% of Cr, and 1-3% of Mo, or at least one of 0.03-0.25% of Pb, 0.03-0.20% of Se and 0.01-0.15% of Te, the remainder being Fe, provided that the sum of C and N is not more than 0.060% and Mn/S is 2-5, characterized by that Cr content based on 100 parts by weight of sulfide inclusions formed in the said steels is 10-50 parts by weight.

Abstract: Ferrite-austenite stainless steel castings having an improved erosion-corrosion resistance consist by weight percentage of not more than 0.1% of C, 0.2-3% of Si, not more than 2% of Mn, 2.2-4% of Cu, 3-9% of Ni, 20-30% of Cr, 2-6% of Mo, 0.08-0.25% of N, 0.12-0.3% of Sn, at least one of 0-2% of Nb, 0-1% of Ti, 0-2% of Ta, 0-1% of Zr and 0-1.5% of V and remainder of Fe, and are obtained by solution heat treatment at 1,000.degree.-1,150.degree. C in such a manner that Cr- and Ni-equivalents lie within an area represented by the area ABCD shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings.