Abstract: A novel and inventive hand held powder-fed laser fusion welding torch providing manual flexibility for laser welding with powder-fed material. The hand held laser includes a body, handle, and nozzle assembly. The nozzle may be shrouded by a cover that is slightly spaced apart from the nozzle. The gap between the two may provide space through which inert gas may flow. Laser light from a remote source shines through the nozzle's central aperture. The nozzle aperture may be circumscribed by powder channel outlets aligned upon a working focal point coincident with the laser beam to treat a workpiece. A proximity sensor may enable selective welding torch operation according to the presence of a workpiece.

Abstract: A novel and inventive hand held powder-fed laser fusion welding torch providing manual flexibility for laser welding with powder-fed material. The hand held laser includes a body, handle, and nozzle assembly. The nozzle may be shrouded by a cover that is slightly spaced apart from the nozzle. The gap between the two may provide space through which inert gas may flow. Laser light from a remote source shines through the nozzle's central aperture. The nozzle aperture may be circumscribed by powder channel outlets aligned upon a working focal point coincident with the laser beam to treat a workpiece. A proximity sensor may enable selective welding torch operation according to the presence of a workpiece.

Abstract: A powder for metal injection molding of has a silicon content of less than 0.1%. Silica inclusions are substantially eliminated in the finished molded product.

Abstract: A novel and inventive hand held powder-fed laser fusion welding torch providing manual flexibility for laser welding with powder-fed material. The hand held laser includes a body, handle, and nozzle assembly. The nozzle may be shrouded by a cover that is slightly spaced apart from the nozzle. The gap between the two may provide space through which inert gas may flow. Laser light from a remote source shines through the nozzle's central aperture. The nozzle aperture may be circumscribed by powder channel outlets aligned upon a working focal point coincident with the laser beam to treat a workpiece. A proximity sensor may enable selective welding torch operation according to the presence of a workpiece.

Abstract: A novel and inventive hand held powder-fed laser fusion welding torch providing manual flexibility for laser welding with powder-fed material. The hand held laser includes a body, handle, and nozzle assembly. The nozzle may be shrouded by a cover that is slightly spaced apart from the nozzle. The gap between the two may provide space through which inert gas may flow. Laser light from a remote source shines through the nozzle's central aperture. The nozzle aperture may be circumscribed by powder channel outlets aligned upon a working focal point coincident with the laser beam to treat a workpiece. A proximity sensor may enable selective welding torch operation according to the presence of a workpiece.

Abstract: A powder for metal injection molding of has a silicon content of less than 0.1%. Silica inclusions are substantially eliminated in the finished molded product.

Abstract: An amorphous metal strip having a sheet thickness ranging from about 50 to 75 .mu.m and a sheet width of at least 20 mm is produced by a casting process utilizing a single nozzle orifice and a high thermal conductivity, large diameter wheel as a casting substrate. The strip has a fracture strain of 0.01 or more, a lamination factor of 0.8 or more, and a core loss of less than 0.2 W/kg at 60 Hz and 1.4 T.

Abstract: An apparatus for melting and rapid solidification casting of metal alloys has a crucible for molding a metal charge. The crucible has side walls, a top and a bottom having an orifice therein. Collectively, the side walls, top and bottom define an interior of the crucible. A portion of the dimensions of the side walls of the side walls and bottom is divided by longitudinal slits into at least two segments. A nozzle is disposed partially within the crucible and extends through the orifice. The nozzle has a first end in communication with the interior of tune crucible. A second end of the nozzle has a nozzle orifice therein for defining a stream of molten metal alloy. A cooling mechanism cools the top, side walls and bottom of the crucible. The apparatus has mechanisms for inducing alternating electrical currents within the metal charge and within the nozzle, and for establishing and maintaining pressure within the interior of the crucible.

Abstract: A metal matrix composite is produced by forming a rapidly solidified aluminum base alloy into powder. The powder is plasma sprayed onto at least one substrate having thereon a fiber reinforcing material to form a plurality of preforms. Each of the preforms has a layer of the alloy deposited thereon, and the fiber reinforcing material is present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 to 75 percent by volume thereof. The preforms are bonded together to form an engineering shape.

Abstract: A rapidly solidified brazing alloy consists essentially of about 14 to 45 weight percent magnesium and 0 to 10 weight percent of at least one element selected from the group consisting of silicon, bismuth, strontium, lithium, copper, calcium, zinc and tin, the balance being aluminum and incidental impurities. The alloy has a microcrystalline structure containing uniformly distributed intermetallic particles. It has the form of a foil (liquidus temperature <570.degree. C.) and can be used to braze non-heat-treatable rapidly solidified Al-Fe-V-Si alloy foil, sheet, plate, and tubing to produce components such as deicing duct, overduct, radiator, heat exchanger, evaporator, honeycomb panel for elevated temperature applications.

Abstract: Magnesium base metal alloy sheet is produced by rolling the rolling stock extruded or forged from a billet at a temperature ranging from 200.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. The billet is consolidated from rapidly solidified magnesium based alloy powder that consists essentially of the formula Mg.sub.bal Al.sub.a Zn.sub.b X.sub.c, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of manganese, cerium, neodymium, praseodymium, and yttrium, "a" ranges from about 0 to 15 atom percent, "b" ranges from about 0 to 4 atom percent, "c" ranges from about 0.2 to 3 atom percent, the balance being magnesium and incidental impurities, with the proviso that the sum of aluminum and zinc present ranges from about 2 to 15 atom percent. The alloy has a uniform microstructure comprised of fine grain size ranging from 0.2-1.0 .mu.m together with precipitates of magnesium and aluminum containing intermetallic phases of a size less than 0.1 .mu.m.

Abstract: A low melting (liquidus temperature <570.degree. C.) rapidly solidified brazing alloy consists essentially of about 14 to 52 weight percent germanium, 0 to 10 weight percent of at least one element selected from the group consisting of silicon, magnesium, bismuth, strontium, lithium, copper, calcium, zinc and tin, the balance being aluminum and incidental impurities. The alloy has the form of a foil and can be used to braze non-heat-treatable rapidly solidified Al-Fe-Si-V alloy foil, sheet plate and tubing to components such as deicing duct, overduct, radiator, heat exchanger, evaporator, honeycomb panel for elevated temperature applications.

Abstract: A rapidly solidified, low density aluminum base alloy consists essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Li.sub.a Cu.sub.b Mg.sub.c Zr.sub.d wherein "a" ranges from about 2.2 to 2.5 wt %, "b" ranges from about 0.8 to 1.2 wt %, "c" ranges from about 0.4 to 0.6 wt % and "d" ranges from about 0.4 to 0.8 wt %, the balance being aluminum plus incidental impurities. The alloy is especially suited to be consolidated to produce a strong, tough, low density aircraft landing wheel.

Abstract: A metal matrix composite is produced by forming a rapidly solidified aluminum base alloy into powder. The powder is plasma sprayed onto at least one substrate having thereon a fiber reinforcing material to form a plurality of preforms. Each of the preforms has a layer of the alloy deposited thereon, and the fiber reinforcing material is present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 to 75 percent by volume thereof. The preforms are bonded together to form an engineering shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for making high strength, high ductility, low density rapidly solidified aluminum-base alloys, consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Zr.sub.a Li.sub.b X.sub.c, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Mg, Si, Sc, Ti, U, Hf, Be, Cr, V, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni, "a" ranges from about 0.2-0.6 wt %, "b" ranges from about 2.5-5 wt %, "c" ranges from about 0-5 wt % and the balance is aluminum. The alloy is given multiple aging treatments after being solutionized. The microstructure of the alloy is characterized by the precipitation of a composite phase in the aluminum matrix thereof.

Abstract: A rapidly solidified zirconium containing aluminum lithium alloy powder consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Li.sub.a Cu.sub.b Mg.sub.c Zr.sub.d where "a" ranges from 2.1 to 3.4 wt %, "b" ranges from about 0.5 to 2.0 wt %, "c" ranges from 0.2 to 2.0 wt % and "d" ranges from greater than about 0.6 to 1.8 wt %, the balance being aluminum. The powder is degassed in a vacuum at a temperature of at least about 450.degree. C. Components consolidated from the powder exhibit high tensile strength and elongation together with excellent notched impact toughness.

Abstract: A metal matrix composite is produced by forming a rapidly solidified aluminum base alloy into wire. The wire is arc sprayed onto at least one substrate having thereon a fiber reinforcing material to form a plurality of preforms. Each of the preforms has a layer of the alloy deposited thereon, and the fiber reinforcing material is present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 to 75 percent by volume thereof. The preforms are bonded together to form an engineering shape.

Abstract: A low melting (liquidus temperature<570.degree. C.) rapidly solidified brazing alloy consists essentially of about 14 to 52 weight percent germanium, 0 to 10 weight percent of at least one element selected from the group consisting of silicon, magnesium, bismuth, strontium, lithium, copper, calcium, zinc and tin, the balance being aluminum and incidental impurities. The alloy has the form of a foil and can be used to braze non-heat-treatable rapidly solidified Al-Fe-Si-V alloy foil, sheet plate and tubing to components such as deicing duct, overduct, radiator, heat exchanger, evaporator, honeycomb panel for elevated temperature applications.

Abstract: A magnesium based metal matrix composite is made from rapidly solidified magnesium alloy powder and SiC particulate using liquid suspension coprocessing or mechanical alloying. The composite is suitable for consolidation into bulk shapes having, in combination, high strength, high stiffness, low density, low coefficient of thermal expansion, and high hardness. The composite is suited for uses in such applications as space and missile guidance and navigation and control system precision components where low density, very high specific stiffness and long term dimensional and environmental stability are principal performance criteria.

Abstract: A magnesium based metal matrix composite is made from rapidly solidified magnesium alloy powder and SiC particulate using liquid suspension coprocessing or mechanical alloying. The composite is suitable for consolidation into bulk shapes having, in combination, high strength, high stiffness, low density, low coefficient of thermal expansion, and high hardness. The composite is suited for uses in such applications as space and missile guidance and navigation and control system precision components where low density, very high specific stiffness and long term dimensional and environmental stability are principal performance criteria.