Abstract: A ceramic discharge vessel is described that is provided a feedthrough comprised of a molybdenum alloy containing at least 75 weight percent molybdenum and greater than 5 weight percent of nickel and at least one other alloying metal selected from copper and iron, wherein the weight ratio of the amount of nickel to the combined amount of copper and iron, Ni:(Fe,Cu), in the alloy is in the range of 1:1 to 9:1. The thermal expansion coefficient of the alloy is sufficiently matched to that of the ceramic so that the feedthrough may be sealed to the discharge vessel without causing cracking. Preferably, the feedthrough is directly sealed to the ceramic discharge vessel without the use of an intermediate frit material.

Abstract: A ceramic discharge vessel is described that is provided a feedthrough comprised of a molybdenum alloy containing at least 75 weight percent molybdenum and greater than 5 weight percent of nickel and at least one other alloying metal selected from copper and iron, wherein the weight ratio of the amount of nickel to the combined amount of copper and iron, Ni:(Fe,Cu), in the alloy is in the range of 1:1 to 9:1. The thermal expansion coefficient of the alloy is sufficiently matched to that of the ceramic so that the feedthrough may be sealed to the discharge vessel without causing cracking. Preferably, the feedthrough is directly sealed to the ceramic discharge vessel without the use of an intermediate frit material.

Abstract: It has been discovered that potassium retention in NS tungsten processing may be improved by double doping tungsten blue oxide (TBO) prior to reduction. The novel `double-doping` process consists of dry doping standard singly doped K--Al--Si TBO with potassium nitrate, KNO.sub.3, followed by the standard reduction, acid washing, sintering, rolling and drawing steps. In another aspect, the novel method includes an aqueous extraction of heteropolytungstate anion [SiW.sub.11 O.sub.39 ].sup.8- from a sample of the singly doped tungsten blue oxide to predict potassium retention.

Abstract: A wire for fabrication of a vibration resistant filament for an incandescent lamp. The wire includes about 0.05-1.00 weight percent lanthanum oxide dispersed in a tungsten matrix and has a microstructure including stringers of fine particles of lanthanum oxide extending parallel to the wire axis. During primary recrystallization of a vibration resistant lamp filament from the filament wire, the stringers produce a microstructure in the filament exhibiting sufficient grain boundary segments extending generally axially along the length of the filament to render the filament resistant to vibration. A method for producing a vibration resistant filament for an incandescent lamp is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing potassium and silicon doped molybdenum (KS molybdenum). The process involves mixing an aqueous ammonium molybdate solution and a dilute aqueous potassium silicate solution. The molybdate solution has a pH and a specific gravity sufficient to promote formation of diammonium molybdate crystals in the mixture. Preferably, the pH is about 8.8-11.0 and the specific gravity is about 1.20-1.32. The amount of potassium silicate and the amount of potassium silicate solution are selected to provide predetermined amounts of potassium and silicon in the mixture, preferably about 800-1300 ppm potassium and about 500-1100 ppm silicon, both amounts based on the amount of molybdenum. The mixture is heated to aid dissolution of the potassium silicate and ammonium molybdate in said mixture and to produce a homogeneous solution of ammonium molybdate, potassium, and silicon.

Abstract: A wire for fabrication of a vibration resistant filament for an incandescent lamp. The wire includes about 0.05-1.00 weight percent lanthanum oxide dispersed in a tungsten matrix and has a microstructure including stringers of fine particles of lanthanum oxide extending parallel to the wire axis. During primary recrystallization of a vibration resistant lamp filament from the filament wire, the stringers produce a microstructure in the filament exhibiting sufficient grain boundary segments extending generally axially along the length of the filament to render the filament resistant to vibration. A method for producing a vibration resistant filament for an incandescent lamp is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method of making alloy of tungsten and lanthana, lanthanum hydroxide is blended with tungsten metal powder, the mixture is pressed to form a pressed ingot, optionally presintered, and sintered to form the alloy. The use of lanthanum hydroxide as the source of the lanthana dopant allows the pressed or presintered ingots to be stored in air prior to sintering for prolonged periods without becoming degraded from exposure to atmospheric moisture.

Abstract: The center electrode of an ignition plug is a unitary cylindrical tungsten rod in which the outer peripheral portion thereof has a higher work function than the core portion.

Abstract: The center electrode of an ignition plug is a unitary cylindrical tungsten rod in which the outer peripheral portion thereof has a higher work function than the core portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tungsten-based duplex composite member, e.g., wire or rod, which combines the emissive, nonsag, or other desirable qualities of an inner tungsten-based core material with a different combination of properties, for example, resistance to attack, by the presence of a different tungsten-based material as an outer sheath or shell surrounding the core material.In one embodiment of the present invention, an electrode is formed from a duplex composite member, composed of a thoriated tungsten core (W-ThO.sub.2) and a thin rhenium (Re) shell.Other embodiments of duplex composite members are provided by thoriated tungsten discharge electrodes in which it is desirable to have two different concentrations of thoria (ThO.sub.2) in the element, a first concentration in the core of the duplex composite member and a second concentration in the shell or surface of the member.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing doped tungsten wire having a combination of relatively low strength and high ductility. The process involves swaging recrystallized rod to a diameter of from about 80 to about 125 mil, drawing this rod into wire having a diameter of from about 52 to about 62 mil, and stress-relief annealing the wire to impart the combination of low strength and high ductility to the wire when it is drawn to about 35 to about 37 mils.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing molybdenum-ruthenium metal powder which comprises forming an ammonium molybdate solution, heating that solution to drive off excess ammonia, and thereafter adding ruthenium dioxide to that heated ammonium molybdate solution to form a slurry of ruthenium dioxide in the ammonium molybdate solution. Molybdenum trioxide and ruthenium dioxide are then crystallized from the slurry to produce a uniform mixture of molybdenum trioxide and ruthenium dioxide which is heated at a temperature of from about 300.degree. C. to about 800.degree. C. for a sufficient time in a reducing atmosphere to reduce the molybdenum trioxide and ruthenium dioxide to their respective metals and form a uniform mixture of the metals. The metal mixture is heated at a temperature of from about 800.degree. C. to about 1200.degree. C. for a sufficient time in a reducing atmosphere to stabilize the mixture at a particle size of -325 mesh, and then cooled in a non-reacting atmosphere.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a high hardness refractory metal part, the method comprising hot isostatic pressing a refractory metal part having a density greater than about 98% of the theoretical density in the presence of a pressurizing gas having an atomic size great enough to strain the lattice of the refractory metal at a pressure to exceed the yield strength of the metal to result in the densification of the part to a density of greater than about 98% of the theoretical density. The part is then rapidly cooled. The resulting part has a hardness approaching the hardness of mechanically worked material.

Abstract: A molybdenum-tungsten-titanium-zirconium-carbon alloy system is disclosed having a composition in percent by weight of from about 0.01 to about 0.15 carbon, from about 0.06 to about 0.20 zirconium, from about 0.40 to about 0.75 titanium, from about 10 to about 60 tungsten, and the balance molybdenum.

Abstract: A three step process in which a metal alloy selected from a tungsten based alloy and molybdenum based alloys is provided to prevent the decarbonization of the alloys. The process involves a three step sintering process wherein the atmosphere during the initial heating step is a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, thereafter at a intermediate temperature range the atmosphere is hydrogen and a final heating step at a elevated temperature is employed and the atmosphere is a mixture of inert gas and a source of carbon.

Abstract: An alloy lead-in wire of molybdenum and tantalum which has gettering properties and a method of making the lead-in wire is described.