Abstract: Novel wear-resistant, anti-galling, cobalt-free hardfacing iron based alloys are provided which are useful for construction of plant or manufacturing facility components exposed to aggressive environments. The alloys are particularly useful to construct components used in the cooling systems of nuclear power plants.

Abstract: Reinforced composite aluminum-matrix articles containing up to 20%, by volume, silicon carbide fibers or particles, are produced by a casting process wherein about 4% to about 7%, by weight, of magnesium is included in the aluminum matrix alloy to facilitate wetting of the reinforcing material and ready dispersal thereof with the matrix alloy while the alloy is completely molten and thereafter hot working the composite at a temperature between the liquidus and solidus temperatures of the aluminum alloy matrix. The matrix is characterized by a microstructure wherein fine precipitates appear in the vicinity of SiC particles or fibers, and by high hardness and strength without further heat treatment.

Abstract: Reinforced composite aluminum-matrix articles containing a non-oxide reinforcing material, such as silicon carbide fibers or particles, are produced by a casting process wherein a small amount of lithium less than about 1%, by weight, is included in a melt of aluminum matrix alloy to facilitate wetting of the reinforcing material and ready dispersal thereof in the aluminum matrix alloy.

Abstract: Reinforced composite magnesium-matrix articles, containing silicon carbide fibers or particles, are produced by a casting process wherein a small amount of lithium, less than about 0.7% by weight, is included in a melt of magnesium matrix alloy to facilitate wetting of the reinforcing material and ready dispersal thereof in the magnesium matrix alloy.

Abstract: Solid solutions of molybdenum and tungsten having molybdenum to tungsten atom ratios between about 1:1 and about 10:1 are produced by heating a mechanically milled mixture of a molybdenum oxide and tungsten oxide to a temperature between about 1000.degree. C. and about 1300.degree. C. at a rate of at least about 20.degree. C. per minute in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere and holding at temperature to reduce the oxides of molybdenum and tungsten and to provide a homogeneous solid solution of molybdenum and tungsten. The homogeneous solid solution is mixed with a stoichiometric excess of carbon and heated to a temperature between about 1200.degree. C. and about 1800.degree. C. under a protective atmosphere to react the carbon with the alloy powder to form a solid solution of hexagonal monocarbides.