Abstract: An element such as Cr is caused to dissolve sufficiently in a base-material metal (Cu) in a solid solution state at a high temperature and a material in a supersaturated condition is obtained by performing quenching. After that, a strain is applied to this material and this material is subjected to aging treatment at a low temperature simultaneously with or after the application of this strain. As a result of this, it is possible to obtain a copper alloy having properties desirable as an electrode material, for example, a hardness of not less than 30 HRB, an electrical conductivity of not less than 85 IACS %, and a thermal conductivity of not less than 350 W/(m·K).

Abstract: An element such as Cr is caused to dissolve sufficiently in a base-material metal (Cu) in a solid solution state at a high temperature and a material in a supersaturated condition is obtained by performing quenching. After that, a strain is applied to this material and this material is subjected to aging treatment at a low temperature simultaneously with or after the application of this strain. As a result of this, it is possible to obtain a copper alloy having properties desirable as an electrode material, for example, a hardness of not less than 30 HRB, an electrical conductivity of not less than 85 IACS %, and a thermal conductivity of not less than 350 W/(m·K).

Abstract: For manufacturing a battery including positive and negative sheet electrodes formed from positive and negative electrode sheets each having active-material-coated portions on opposite surfaces, except for opposite surfaces of one side edge portion, of the sheet and non-active-material-coated portions on the opposite surfaces of the one side edge portion, a method includes: forming a succession of corrugations on each of the sheets, having the coated portions provided thereon, in a longitudinal direction of the sheet; roll-pressing each of the sheets having the corrugations formed thereon; constructing an electrode assembly of the positive and negative sheet electrodes with a separator interposed therebetween; and connecting current collectors to the non-coated portions of the sheet electrodes.

Abstract: An element such as Cr is caused to dissolve sufficiently in a base-material metal (Cu) in a solid solution state at a high temperature and a material in a supersaturated condition is obtained by performing quenching. After that, a strain is applied to this material and this material is subjected to aging treatment at a low temperature simultaneously with or after the application of this strain. As a result of this, it is possible to obtain a copper alloy having properties desirable as an electrode material, for example, a hardness of not less than 30 HRB, an electrical conductivity of not less than 85 IACS %, and a thermal conductivity of not less than 350 W/(m·K).

Abstract: A process for modifying the surface of a base metal formed from a hard material instead of forming a coating film thereon comprises compacting a powder of a hard material, baking the compacted product, dipping the baked product in an alkoxide containing titanium, and sintering the alkoxide-covered baked product in a nitrogen gas atmosphere. The sintered product has very hard titanium carbide, nitride or carbide-nitride particles deposited on the base metal surface. The particles are partly embedded in the base metal and partly protrude from its surface, and are, therefore, very unlikely to come off, while they withstand a temperature change very well.

Abstract: A grain growth accelerator in a form dispersed in an aqueous solution or an organic solvent is introduced into a preliminarily fired body, and thereafter the preliminarily fired body is fired in a main firing process. In the main firing process, a volumetric diffusion of metal and grain growth of ceramic particles are caused as the firing temperature increases. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture a composite material which has such a gradient function that it is ceramic-rich on its surface and metal-rich in its inside, a high degree of surface hardness and toughness, and an interface-free structure.

Abstract: A shaped object with a roughened surface is immersed in an aqueous solution of a metal salt and/or a solution of an organic metal. After the shaped object is dried, it is heated to form a metal-diffused layer in the shaped object and a ceramic surface layer on the shaped object. The ceramic surface layer has a large hardness, and is prevented from peeling off.