Abstract: This invention relates to a method of carbonitriding an iron-containing article. The method comprises the steps of subjecting the article to a carbonitriding atmosphere which atmosphere contains ammonia and an oxygen-containing organic solvent. The ratio of the oxygen atoms to the carbon atoms in the solvent is from about 0.5 to 1.5; and maintaining the article in the carbonitriding atmosphere until at least the surface of the article has increased its carbon and nitrogen content a predetermined amount.Inasmuch as the carbonitriding treatment of the instant invention has a propensity to produce "HCN" which is well-known noxious gas, as well as NH.sub.3 and CO, it is also within the method of the instant invention to mix the gases used initially to contact the iron-containing article with a fuel gas and remove such a mixture of gases from the furnace where the mixture is subsequently burned thereby decomposing and detoxifying the HCN contained in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A washer-type spring, commonly called a Belleville spring, which has an improved fatigue life and residual compressive stresses resulting from the creation of a carbon gradient through the spring thickness. This improved spring is formed from a plain carbon or low alloy steel which, after blanking, cutting and forming, is heated to a temperature above the austenitizing temperature in a carbon-rich atmosphere, held at this temperature until suitably carburized, and then quenched.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of and an installation for the heat treatment of steels, such as heating before hardening, annealing, carburization and carbo-nitridation, carried out in a furnace in the presence of a protection or carbon-enrichment atmosphere which flows continuously through the furnace, the atmosphere being obtained by the mixture, before its introduction into the furnace, of a carrier gas including nitrogen and possibly hydrogen, and an active gas constituted by a hydrocarbon, the mixture containing at least 0.2% by volume of hydrocarbon.The active gas may be constituted by ethylene, ethane or acetylene and the treatment is carried out at a temperature between 700.degree. and 1050.degree. C.The installation includes a device for analyzing the atmosphere at the furnace outlet, this analyzer actuating a regulating valve for the inlet flow of active gas through a servo-mechanism, in dependence on the proportion of carbon in the treated steel.

Abstract: A heat treating process for a rod by the use of a fluidized bed consisting of alumina, silicon sand, zircon sand, and the like, is disclosed for adjusting the strength of the rod due to its cooling within the fluidized bed. While prior art heat treatment processes of this type adopt an attempt to vary the temperature of the fluidized bed for varying the cooling rate of the rod, such results in the need to use costly heat-resisting apparatus for the fluidized bed and equipment associated therewith. In accordance with the heat treatment process of the present invention, a rod is introduced through means of an inlet opening into the fluidized bed, and subsequently, the rod passes through the fluidized bed in an upwardly inclined manner so as to exit from the surface of the bed. The fluidized bed in this case has a predetermined length and the rod is fed at a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A process for producing diffusion layers of carbides, nitrides and/or carbonitrides on metallic or metalloid substrates, using certain nitriles as sources of carbon and nitrogen, is described. Uniform and well-adhering diffusion layers can be produced in short reaction times by means of this process.

Abstract: The stoichiometry and free-carrier concentration of mercury cadmium telluride is adjusted by annealing the mercury cadmium telluride in the presence of cadmium vapor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the manufacture of a superconductor with a layer of the A-15 phase of the system Nb--Al or Nb--Al--Ge. According to the invention, a niobium carrier is provided with a 0.5 to 5 .mu.m thick layer consisting of NbAl.sub.3 and Al or of Nb(Al,Ge).sub.3, respectively, by being placed in an aluminum melt which is saturated with niobium or niobium and germanium, respectively, and is heated to 800.degree. to 1400.degree. C, and the niobium carrier provided with this layer is then annealed in an inert atmosphere for 0.5 to 5 seconds at a temperature of 1700.degree. to 1960.degree. C.

Abstract: The method of this invention is directed to the heat treatment of an iron-containing article and comprises the steps of subjecting the article to an atmosphere comprising specific amounts of nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide and heating this article in this atmosphere. The furnace comprises first and second interconnected chambers, with the first chamber being a heating chamber and the second chamber being a cooling chamber. The first chamber is selectively joined to the second chamber by a gate means. The heating chamber has a heating plate disposed therein arranged and configured to support an article thereon. The heating chamber further has heating means for heating the chamber disposed therein. The cooling chamber has means for positioning the article therein and at least one nozzle for selectively introducing nitrogen gas into the cooling chamber.

Abstract: A process for producing diffusion layers of carbides, nitrides and/or carbonitrides on metallic or metalloid substrates, using certain triazines and pyrimidines as sources of carbon and nitrogen, is described. Uniform and well-adhering diffusion layers can be produced in short reaction times by means of this process.

Abstract: An improved material for use in a catalytic reactor which reduces nitrogen oxide from internal combustion engines is in the form of a zirconium-modified, precipitation-strengthened nickel-copper alloy. This material has a nominal composition of Ni-30 Cu-0.2 Zr and is characterized by improved high temperature mechanical properties.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a superconductor of the type having at least one core which is entirely or partly of an intermetallic superconductive compound and which is provided with a sheath of an alloy which contains an electrically normal-conducting metal and an element of the compound, in which the element of the compound contained in the sheath is removed from the sheath, at least partially, by a chemical transport reaction to obtain electrical stabilization of the superconductor.

Abstract: Cobalt based alloy containing 5% to 30% Ni; 18% to 25% Cr; 5% to 17% of at least one of W, Ta and Mo; 0.10% to 0.30% C; 50 ppm to 200 ppm B; 0 to 0.3% Fe; 0 to 2% Mn; 0 to 1% HF; 0 to 1% La; 0 to 1% Y; 0.5% to 2% in total of Ti and/or Nb, the balance being Co; and a heat treatment for such alloy comprising solution heat treatment in a protective atmosphere at 1150.degree. C to 1250.degree. C for at least 1 hour, rapid cooling, and then age hardening for from 12 to 24 hours at from 750.degree. C to 850.degree. C to effect carbide precipitation of MC carbides, M being titanium or niobium.

Abstract: Aluminum arsenide crystals, wherein gallium has been substituted for a minor portion of aluminum and which may be represented by the general formula Al.sub.1-x Ga.sub.x As wherein x has values in the range of 0.02 to 0.30, are annealed at a temperature of at least 700.degree. C in presence of arsenic vapor whereby the stability of the crystals against attack by moisture is improved.

Abstract: A metallic foil coated with scandium tritide is treated so as to manifest a legally acceptable tritium emanation rate at temperatures above 225.degree. C, thereby becoming usable as a beta particle emitter is ionization detectors such as electron capture detectors or the like operated at high temperatures. The treatment includes heating the foil for a length of time sufficient to cause the foil's tritium emanation ratio to reach a value which corresponds to a legally acceptable emanation ratio for the foil at selected operating temperatures above 225.degree. C.

Abstract: The coiled tungsten filament of an incandescent lamp is made more resistant to sagging by exposing the filament to a vaporized phosphorus atmosphere so as to form tungsten monophosphide on the filament. The filament is subsequently heated in order to dissociate the tungsten monophosphide and evaporate the phosphorus therefrom.

Abstract: A protective gas for annealing steel and other metals is characterized by a mixture of nitrogen and 0.2% by volume to 50% by volume of carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A method for strengthening metallic materials liable to be subjected to internal oxidation, characterized in that said metallic material is strengthened by heating the metallic material liable to be subjected to internal oxidation up to an internal oxidation temperature to cause internal oxidation phenomena to arise, and subjecting said metallic material to a temperature cycle passing over its transformation point to cause superplastic phenomena to arise.

Abstract: The workability of a Group VIA metal, such as molybdenum, or an alloy of a Group VIA metal is improved by heat treating the Group VIA metal or alloy of the Group VIA metal in an environment for causing particles to be formed in the Group VIA metal or alloy of the Group VIA metal, and cooling the Group VIA metal or alloy of the Group VIA metal at a rate sufficiently rapid to prevent formation of particles large enough to cause embrittlement thereof. A ductile, recrystallized molybdenum or alloy thereof may thereby be produced.

Abstract: The stoichiometry and free-carrier concentration of mercury cadmium telluride is adjusted by a heat treatment. Mercury cadmium telluride is heat treated in the presence of mercury and cadmium vapor.

Abstract: A method for reducing abrasion between interacting moving parts which comprises applying an anti-abradant element between said moving parts which anti-bradant element will increase in dimensional proportions upon exposure to oxidation, sulphation, nitration, carbonation and/or heat annealing whereby as the anti-abradant element is abraded, said dimensional proportions are increased whereby the spacing between said moving parts is maintained relatively constant.

Abstract: An electrode for an electrochemical cell, such as may be used in polarographic measurements, is formed by vapor deposition of carbon on a tantalum substrate. It can be formed to a desired shape while retaining all the properties of the metal, and it has a large surface and is thus very sensitive. The electrode is inert, will not oxidize over a wide useful range of applied voltages, and exhibits no hysteresis effect when the polarity is reversed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composite coating for wear surfaces comprising a layer of vapor deposited titanium nitride overlying a layer of titanium carbide. The composite coating is formed by successive chemical vapor depositions of titanium carbide and titanium nitride on a heated substrate.

Abstract: The stoichiometry and free-carrier concentration of mercury cadmium telluride is adjusted by a heat treatment. Mercury cadmium telluride is slowly cooled from a temperature near the solidus temperature to room temperature in the presence of constituent vapor. The mercury cadmium telluride is maintained at the lowest temperature within the capsule during cooling.

Abstract: Compositional gradients in a body of mercury cadmium telluride are removed by heat treating the mercury cadmium telluride in a closed container at a temperature which is less than the solidus temperature. The constituent vapor pressure within the closed container is maintained at a value which is lower than the equivalent vapor pressure of the constituents of the mercury cadmium telluride body.

Abstract: For heat treatment metal pieces like billets, ingots, bars and the like are pre-heated by direct flame impingement in a pre-heating furnace and then transfered into a holding furnace with forced hot gas circulation where they are held for the time required at the desired heat treatment temperature.

Abstract: A stabilizing method is provided wherein a field emission cathode is subject to heat treatment of 2,000.degree.C. to 3,000.degree.C. in a hydrogen gas atmosphere of 1 .times. 10.sup..sup.-9 Torr to 5 .times. 10.sup..sup.-7 Torr and hereinafter an electric field in excess of 10.sup.7 volt/cm is applied to the cathode, whereby the emitted electron beam current from the cathode can be maintained constant for a long time.

Abstract: A method for treating metals and metal surfaces is disclosed. The method includes the use of a plasma gas generated by an induction plasma system. In one embodiment, a cutting tool, such as a saw blade or razor blade is passed into contact with the plasma to produce an extremely hard blade surface. The method includes stabilization of the plasma prior to use, and the electrical insulating of metallic parts of the treating equipment in order to prevent arcing. Very high feed speeds may be employed, up to 150 feet per minute.

Abstract: Ag-CdO type material suitable for use as an electrical contact material in a switching device such as a circuit breaking device is disclosed. The material contains Ag and CdO with an oxide of Sn and an oxide of an additive metal selected from Mg, Ca, or mixtures of oxides of such additive metals. The additive metal appears to form an oxide of the metal earlier during oxidation of the material than either the Sn or Cd thereby acting as a nucleating site for the formation of the oxides of the Sn and Cd. The oxide of the metals appears to tend to grow as a mixture of the oxides of the additive metal, Cd and Sn. This material has good high temperature properties, undergoes oxidation of the oxidizable constituents at a high rate and has a fine oxide particle size.The method of making the Ag-CdO type material.