Abstract: A titanium alloy has greatly increased specific strength and increased thermostability. The alloy consists of a titanium matrix in which fibrous dispersoids are formed in situ. The dispersoids are rod and/or plate shaped and have a diameter or depth of about 0.1-0.5 microns and an aspect ratio of about 5-10. A typical alloy has the composition A-X where A is titanium or titanium alloy and X is boron, carbon, nitrogen, mixtures thereof, or mixtures with silicon.

Abstract: A method of producing rapidly solidified metal powder utilizes a spinning metal source and a laser beam to melt the surface layer of the source and atomize it. The laser beam is directed at a glancing angle along the surface of the spinning metal source. The source spins at a high speed of 10,000-30,000 revolutions per minute. The atomized metal is solidified rapidly in an inert gas atmosphere. Very high cooling rates up to 10.sup.6 .degree. C. per second can be achieved. Very small and uniformly distributed particles of rapidly solidified metal can be obtained having a narrow particle size distribution from about 50-150 microns and typically having a high percentage of the particles at a particle size of below 100 microns.