Abstract: The present invention provides a carburizing method that involves heating a steel component quickly to a relatively high carburizing temperature (e.g. 1900 degrees F. and above), contacting the component at the relatively high carburizing temperature with a methane-containing carburization atmosphere for time to form a carbon-enriched surface case on the component, and cooling the component at a relatively slow rate effective to provide a relatively soft martensite-free surface case on the component. The component then is subjected to a hardening treatment wherein the carburized component is heated to a hardening temperature in the austenitic range followed by quenching and tempering to form a tempered martensitic surface case on an underlying non-martenistic core.

Abstract: A high pressure fluid jet nozzle has a generally cylindrical body with inlet and outlet ends, a through passage with an entry portion extending to at least one laser cut orifice at the outlet end of the body. The body has a smooth outlet end through which the laser is configured entirely by laser cutting. The entry portion of the through passage preferably has a hemispherical end penetrated by the orifice. Manufacturing steps including laser cutting of the orifice or orifices and optional electrical discharge machining of the hemispherical end of the entry portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a carburizing method that involves heating a steel component quickly to a relatively high carburizing temperature (e.g. 1900 degrees F. and above), contacting the component at the relatively high carburizing temperature with a methane-containing carburization atmosphere for time to form a carbon-enriched surface case on the component, and cooling the component at a relatively slow rate effective to provide a relatively soft martensite-free surface case on the component. The component then is subjected to a hardening treatment wherein the carburized component is heated to a hardening temperature in the austenitic range followed by quenching and tempering to form a tempered martensitic surface case on an underlying non-martenistic core.

Abstract: The method of treating the surfaces of malleable light metal cylinder bores or other objects by blasting the surfaces with extremely high water jets for preparing such surfaces for subsequent coating with wear-resistant materials such as a thermal spray coating. The water not only cleans the surface but roughens it to produce a pitted surface with undercuts so that coating material fills the pits and undercuts to provide a smooth layer of coating material with a strong mechanical/adhesive bond.

Abstract: The method of treating the surfaces of malleable light metal cylinder bores or other objects by blasting the surfaces with extremely high water jets for preparing such surfaces for subsequent coating with wear-resistant materials such as a thermal spray coating. The water not only cleans the surface but roughens it to produce a pitted surface with undercuts so that coating material fills the pits and undercuts to provide a smooth layer of coating material with a strong mechanical/adhesive bond.

Abstract: A method for the application of a thermal spray coating to the cylinder wall portions of an aluminum engine block casting is disclosed in which the casting is inverted and water is caused to flow through the cooling passages of the engine block in a series flow from one end of a bank of cylinders to the other while the block is supported on a fixture that seals the cooling passage outlets in the head of the block. The fixture further permits the spray of a metallized coating onto the cylinder walls without adherence of the spray to the fixture or to other portions of the block.

Abstract: The invention involves a method for making powder metal forging preforms of high strength ferrous-base alloys in which the times and temperatures for reducing oxides, sintering, and carburizing are substantially reduced as compared to conventional techniques. The method includes simultaneously sintering and carburizing the preforms in the hot zone of a sintering furnace at temperatures below 2000.degree. F. and for a period of time above austenitic temperature not exceeding about 35 minutes. After carburizing the preforms are rapidly cooled to freeze the case carbon gradient obtained in the hot zone.