Abstract: An aluminum-based alloy having the general formula Al100−(a+b)QaMb (wherein Q is V, Mo, Fe, W, Nb, and/or Pd; M is Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and/or Cu; and a and b, representing a composition ratio in atomic percentages, satisfy the relationships 1≦a≦8, 0<b<5, and 3≦a+b≦8) having a metallographic structure comprising a quasi-crystalline phase, wherein the difference in the atomic radii between Q and M exceeds 0.01 Å, and said alloy does not contain rare earths, possesses high strength and high rigidity. The aluminum-based alloy is useful as a structural material for aircraft, vehicles and ships, and for engine parts; as material for sashes, roofing materials, and exterior materials for use in construction; or as materials for use in marine equipment, nuclear reactors, and the like.

Abstract: Thermoelectric materials having a high performance index and thermoelectric elements are provided. The present thermoelectric materials are constituted by at least one element selected from the group consisting of Bi and Sb, at least one element selected from the group consisting of Te and Se, and, if necessary, at least one element selected from the group consisting of I, Cl, Hg, Br, Ag, and Cu. The long axis of each crystal grain of the thermoelectric material grows in the direction parallel to the pressing direction at the time of press formation, and the aspect ratio D/d of each crystal grain, which represents a ratio between the average crystal grain size along the long axis D to the average crystal grain size along the short axis d, is more than 1.5. The C-plane is oriented parallel to the pressing direction.

Abstract: A highly wear-resistant aluminum-based composite alloy has improved wear resistant itself and the wear amount of the opposed Fe-based material is decreased as compared with the conventional wear-resistant aluminum alloys. The inventive composite alloy has a structure that at least either a dispersing phase selected from the group consisting of hard fine particles or a solid-lubricant particles having average diameter of 10 um or less is dispersed in an aluminum-alloy matrix which contains quasi-crystals.

Abstract: Oxide is undesirably grown on the surface of grains of thermoelectric alloy, and the resistivity of the thermoelectric alloy is decreased due to the oxide; however, the oxide is reduced with hydrogen gas before the powder is solidified, and the pieces of thermoelectric alloy produced from the oxygen-free powder achieve a large figure of merit.

Abstract: An aluminum-based alloy having the general formula Al.sub.x L.sub.y M.sub.z (wherein L is Mn or Cr; M is Ni, Co, and/or Cu; and x, y, and z, representing a composition ratio in atomic percentages, satisfy the relationships x+y+z=100, 75.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.95, 2.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.15, and 0.5.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.10) having a metallographic structure comprising a quasi-crystalline phase possesses high strength and high rigidity. In order to enhance the ductility and toughness of the aluminum-based alloy, the atomic percentage of M may be further limited to 0.5.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.4, and more preferably to 0.5.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.3. The aluminum-based alloy is useful as a structural material for aircraft, vehicles and ships, and for engine parts; as material for sashes, roofing materials, and exterior materials for use in construction; or as materials for use in marine equipment, nuclear reactors, and the like.

Abstract: Molten thermoelectric alloy expressed as (Bi, Sb).sub.2 (Te, Se).sub.3 is rapidly cooled at 10.sup.4 to 10.sup.6 .degree. K/second so as to crystallize the thermoelectric alloy, and powder of the thermoelectric alloy is hot pressed under the pressure equal to or greater than 400 kgf/cm.sup.2 at 200 degrees to 400 degrees in centigrade for a time period between {(-T/5)+90} minutes and 150 minutes or at 400 degrees to 500 degrees in centigrade for a time period between 5 minutes and 150 minutes so as to increase the figure of merit by virtue of the strain left in the crystal and/or micro crystal grain.

Abstract: Thermo-electric material has a composition containing at least one first element selected from the group consisting of Bi and Sb and at least one second element selected from the group consisting of Te and Se, and the crystal grains of the thermo-electric material have a mean crystal grain diameter equal to or less than 50 microns and a mean aspect ratio between 1 and 3 so as to achieve a large figure of merit equal to or greater than 3.4.times.10.sup.-3 /.degree.K.

Abstract: An aluminum-based alloy having the general formula Al.sub.100 -(a+b)Q.sub.a M.sub.b (wherein Q is V, Mo, Fe, W, Nb, and/or Pd; M is Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and/or Cu; and a and b, representing a composition ratio in atomic percentages, satisfy the relationships 1.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.8, 0<b<5, and 3.ltoreq.a+b.ltoreq.8) having a metallographic structure comprising a quasi-crystalline phase, wherein the difference in the atomic radii between Q and M exceeds 0.01 .ANG., and said alloy does not contain rare earths, possesses high strength and high rigidity. The aluminum-based alloy is useful as a structural material for aircraft, vehicles and ships, and for engine parts; as material for sashes, roofing materials, and exterior materials for use in construction; or as materials for use in marine equipment, nuclear reactors, and the like.

Abstract: A process wherein powder of p/n-type semiconductor thermoelectric materials expressed as (Bi, Sb).sub.2 (Te, Se).sub.3 is hot pressed under the pressure equal to or greater than 400 kgf/cm.sup.2 at 200 degrees to 400 degrees in centigrade for a time period between {(-T/5)+90} minutes and 150 minutes or at 400 degrees to 500 degrees in centigrade for a time period between 5 minutes and 150 minutes so as to increase the figure of merit by virtue of the strain left in the crystal and/or micro crystal grain, and pieces of p/n-type semiconductor thermoelectric material are assembled with electrodes so as to obtain a thermoelectric module for a high thermoelectric conversion efficiency.

Abstract: Thermoelectric material contains one or more than one element selected from the transition metals and the rare earth metals, and the element promotes the amorphous phase in the thermoelectric material so as to increase the figure of merit.

Abstract: A high strength aluminum-based alloy, which having a composition of the general formula: Al.sub.bal Q.sub.a M.sub.b X.sub.c T.sub.d, wherein Q represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Cr, V, Mo and W; M represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni, Cu and Fe; X represents at least one element selected from rare earth elements including Y or Mm; T represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr and Hf; and a, b, c and d represent the following atomic percentages: 1.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.7, 0>5, 0>c.ltoreq.5 and 0>d.ltoreq.2, and contains quasi-crystals in the structure thereof. The alloy of the present invention is excellent in the hardness and strength at both room temperature and a high temperature, and also in thermal resistance and ductility.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high strength and anti-corrosive aluminum-based alloy essentially consisting of an amorphous structure or a multiphase amorphous/fine crystalline structure, which is represented by the general formula Al.sub.x M.sub.y R.sub.z. In this formula, M represents at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zr, Nb, Mo and Ni, and R represents at least one element or mixture selected from the group consisting of Y, Ce, La, Nd and Mm (misch metal). Additionally, in the formula, x, y and z represent the composition ratio, and are atomic percentages satisfying the relationships of x+y+z=100, 64.5.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.95, 5.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.35, and 0<z.ltoreq.0.4.

Abstract: In production of a shell-type golf club head made up of several different pieces, an iron-type material of a specified chemical composition and carbon equivalent is subjected to a combination of annealing before shaping with quenching after shaping. Exclusion of the conventional casting process in production much improves mechanical characteristics of the product and increase mechanical strength enables formation of a large size golf club head with an enlarged sweet spot. Limited and locally specified disposition of weld lines assures highly accurate lie and loft angles with reduced welding strain.