Abstract: A multilayer ceramic electronic component includes a multilayer body and an external electrode on each of both end surfaces of the multilayer body. The external electrode includes an underlying electrode layer and a plating layer that is disposed on the underlying electrode layer. The underlying electrode layer includes Ni as a first metal component, Sn as a second metal component, and a ceramic material, and includes an alloy portion that is provided around the ceramic material and includes an alloyed Ni defining the first metal component and an alloyed Sn defining the second metal component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display device such as a liquid crystal display device including a first substrate and a second substrate with liquid crystal injected between the first and second substrates. In the display device, the second substrate includes a plurality of columnar spacers, and the first substrate has a protrusion in an area facing the top of the columnar spacer. The plurality of columnar spacers formed on the second substrate are not arranged at even intervals in the longitudinal direction of the scan line, and/or are not aligned on the line but are arranged at random.

Abstract: A sliding component for an internal combustion engine includes a component main body made of titanium or a titanium alloy, a surface hardened layer provided on a surface of the component main body, a diamond-like carbon film provided on the surface hardened layer, and a titanium layer provided between the surface hardened layer and the diamond-like carbon film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display device such as a liquid crystal display device including a first substrate and a second substrate with liquid crystal injected between the first and second substrates. In the display device, the second substrate includes a plurality of columnar spacers, and the first substrate has a protrusion in an area facing the top of the columnar spacer. The plurality of columnar spacers formed on the second substrate are not arranged at even intervals in the longitudinal direction of the scan line, and/or are not aligned on the line but are arranged at random.

Abstract: A process which can make a titanium alloy bolt at ambient temperature is disclosed. A Ti—Fe—O alloy is used as a material. It has a screw thread formed thereon by drawing and rolling.

Abstract: A sliding component for an internal combustion engine includes a component main body made of titanium or a titanium alloy, a surface hardened layer provided on a surface of the component main body, a diamond-like carbon film provided on the surface hardened layer, and a titanium layer provided between the surface hardened layer and the diamond-like carbon film.

Abstract: To provide a valve spring retainer made of titanium, capable of reduction in raw material cost and processing cost, a valve spring retainer is formed out of a titanium alloy raw material composed of 0.8 wt %?Fe?1.2 wt %, 0.24 wt %?O?0.32 wt %, 0.02 wt %?N?0.05 wt %, and balance Ti containing unavoidable impurities through cold forging.

Abstract: A lightweight and high-strength valve lifter is excellent in wear resistance and sliding properties. The valve lifter is made of a titanium alloy having a hardened layer on the top surface thereof, on which a cam is caused to slide. The hardened layer is composed of an ?-case and an oxygen diffusion layer under the ?-case. The ?-case 22 is formed in a thickness of not less than 3 ?m and not more than 15 ?m. The oxygen diffusion layer has a thickness of not less than 10 ?m. The hardened layer on the top surface of the valve lifter is formed by oxidation treatment in a furnace at a temperature of not less than 600° C. An outermost oxide layer 21 formed on the ?-case as a result of the oxidation treatment is removed.

Abstract: A valve lifter and a method of manufacture thereof is provided in which sliding properties of a cam on a cam-contacting sliding surface in an upper surface of a valve lifter are improved by forming the cam-contacting sliding surface as a concave surface to permit retention of lubricating oil therein. The cam-contacting sliding surface is integrally provided in an outer wall of an upper part of a valve lifter. The cam-contacting sliding surface is formed as a concave surface to provide better retention of the lubricating oil. The concave sliding surface is formed during high temperature oxidation of the valve lifter by permitting the natural slumping down of the upper part due to its own weight under the gravity.

Abstract: A method for attaching a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer in which cracking or chipping can be prevented when the substrate is thinned involves applying adhesive liquid onto a circuit (element)-formed surface of a semiconductor wafer. The adhesive liquid undergoes preliminary drying, so that its flowability is reduced and it can keep its shape as an adhesive layer. For the preliminary drying, heating is conducted for 5 minutes at a temperature of 80° C. by using an oven. The thickness of the adhesive layer is determined based on the irregularities of the circuit which has been formed on the surface of the semiconductor wafer. Next, a supporting plate is attached to the semiconductor wafer on which the adhesive layer of a desired thickness has been formed.

Abstract: A spring retainer formed from a titanium alloy and comprising a cylinder and a brim formed integrally with the cylinder is disclosed. The brim has on a top thereof a slope formed such that a thickness of the brim decreases radially outwardly.

Abstract: A process which can make a titanium alloy bolt at ambient temperature is disclosed. A Ti—Fe—O alloy is used as a material. It has a screw thread formed thereon by drawing and rolling.

Abstract: A lightweight and high-strength valve lifter is excellent in wear resistance and sliding properties. The valve lifter is made of a titanium alloy having a hardened layer on the top surface thereof, on which a cam is caused to slide. The hardened layer is composed of an ?-case and an oxygen diffusion layer under the ?-case. The ?-case 22 is formed in a thickness of not less than 3 ?m and not more than 15 ?m. The oxygen diffusion layer has a thickness of not less than 10 ?m. The hardened layer on the top surface of the valve lifter is formed by oxidation treatment in a furnace at a temperature of not less than 600° C. An outermost oxide layer 21 formed on the ?-case as a result of the oxidation treatment I s removed.

Abstract: A valve lifter and a method of manufacture thereof is provided in which sliding properties of a cam on a cam-contacting sliding surface in an upper surface of a valve lifter are improved by forming the cam-contacting sliding surface as a concave surface to permit retention of lubricating oil therein. The cam-contacting sliding surface is integrally provided in an outer wall of an upper part of a valve lifter. The cam-contacting sliding surface is formed as a concave surface to provide better retention of the lubricating oil. The concave sliding surface is formed during high temperature oxidation of the valve lifter by permitting the natural slumping down of the upper part due to its own weight under the gravity.

Abstract: A spring retainer formed from a titanium alloy and comprising a cylinder and a brim formed integrally with the cylinder is disclosed. The brim has on a top thereof a slope formed such that a thickness of the brim decreases radially outwardly.

Abstract: To provide a valve spring retainer made of titanium, capable of reduction in raw material cost and processing cost, a valve spring retainer is formed out of a titanium alloy raw material composed of 0.8 wt %?Fe?1.2 wt %, 0.24 wt %?O?0.32 wt %, 0.02 wt %?N?0.05 wt %, and balance Ti containing unavoidable impurities through cold forging.

Abstract: A method for attaching a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer in which cracking or chipping can be prevented when the substrate is thinned involves applying adhesive liquid onto a circuit (element)-formed surface of a semiconductor wafer. The adhesive liquid undergoes preliminary drying, so that its flowability is reduced and it can keep its shape as an adhesive layer. For the preliminary drying, heating is conducted for 5 minutes at a temperature of 80° C. by using an oven. The thickness of the adhesive layer is determined based on the irregularities of the circuit which has been formed on the surface of the semiconductor wafer. Next, a supporting plate is attached to the semiconductor wafer on which the adhesive layer of a desired thickness has been formed.

Abstract: To provide a titanium alloy which is a high-strength low-alloy with a 750 MPa or more in terms of tensile strength. A production method is capable of producing the titanium alloy by using a low-priced, low-grade sponge titanium as a raw material. This high-strength low-alloy titanium alloy has an alloy composition containing O of from 0.2 to 0.8%, C of from 0.01 to 0.15%, N of from 0.01 to 0.07%, Fe of from 0.3 to 1.0% and the balance being substantially Ti. At the time of production, a low-grade sponge Ti containing N of 0.01% or more and Fe of 0.2% or more is used in at least a portion of raw materials to allow it to be a source of the aforementioned Ni and Fe components.

Abstract: A raw material for powder metallurgy contains at least 0.5 vol % and at most 10 vol % of alumina powder of which the sieve fraction with a sieve opening of 30 .mu.m is at most 0.1 wt %, and a remaining part of aluminum alloy powder. The moisture content of the alumina powder is at most 0.15 wt. % with respect to the alumina powder. Agglomeration of particles is thereby minimized or avoided. Highly reliable raw material for powder metallurgy having superior fatigue strength, impact resistance and wear resistance can be obtained. A method of preparing such a mixed powder raw material involves air classifying the powder materials, dry ball mixing the materials, and then annealing the mixed powder.