Abstract: A method of treating a metallic machine part to increase wear life and to change surface appearance comprising the steps of roughening the surface, thereafter changing its color by case hardening and, subsequently, increasing the lubricity of the case hardened surface by coating the surface with a pigmented, solid perfluorinated lubricant of a color comparable to the color of the case hardened surface.

Abstract: A method for case hardening a chromium bearing nickel or ferrous based alloy, for example stainless steel, article, the method including the steps of activating the surface of the article; and carburizing the activated surface at a temperature below that temperature which would promote the formation of carbides. In one embodiment the surface is activated by disposing a layer of iron over the surface of the article.

Abstract: Dissociated ammonia carrier gas used as a reference gas is obtained from an ammonia dissociator which also provides dissociated ammonia carrier gas to a nitriding furnace whereby the source of ammonia supply gas is the same. An oxygen probe is used to regulate the nitriding potential of a nitriding furnace and atmosphere for process control and high quality nitrided parts. The method further includes correlating the probe mV output signal to a nitriding potential and adjusting the ratio of ammonia supply gas to dissociated ammonia carrier gas at the inlet of the nitriding furnace.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a heat treatment atmosphere by a catalytic reaction in a catalytic reactor (16) between a first gas mixture (12) containing oxygen and a second gas mixture (26) containing a hydrocarbon, characterized in that the catalytic reactor is arranged in substantially vertical position and in that the reaction mixtures are introduced into the catalytic reactor through the bottom (19) of the reactor with recovery of the heat treatment atmosphere resulting from the reaction at the top (20) of the reactor.

Abstract: A method for shot peening a hard metal product that has a hardened surface. The method includes projecting shot on the hardened surface of the hard metal product. The ratio of the Vickers hardness of the shot to that of the hardened surface is 0.8-1.6, and the diameter of the shot is 30-250.mu..

Abstract: A thermal barrier coating system and a method for forming the coating system on an article designed for use in a hostile thermal environment, such as superalloy turbine, combustor and augmentor components of a gas turbine engine. The coating system includes a carburized zone at the surface of a component on which a thermal barrier coating system is to be formed. An aluminum-rich bond coat is then formed on the carburized surface, followed by oxidation of the bond coat to form an aluminum oxide layer. A thermal insulating ceramic layer is then formed on the oxide layer, so as to be chemically bonded thereto. According to the invention, appropriately carburizing the surface of a component serves to form carbides that tie up refractory metals present in the underlying superalloy substrate of the component, and thereby prevents the detrimental effects of these metals on the bond coat-oxide layer interface.

Abstract: There is provided a nickel-base alloy with service enhanced strengthening properties. When exposed to ethylene pyrolysis conditions, namely a carbon containing environment and at temperatures of at least about 900.degree. C., the alloy forms M.sub.6 C and MC carbides that strengthen the alloy. The alloy may be formed into internally finned tubing.The alloy includes about 0.08-0.11% carbon, 41-45% nickel, 23-26% chromium, 0.6-0.95% manganese, 1-1.7% silicon, 0.2-0.6% titanium, 0.25-0.55% aluminum, 1.3-1.7% molybdenum, 0.25-0.6% niobium, 0.15-0.45% tantalum, 0-0.2% tungsten, 0.001-0.005% boron, 0.01-0.03% zirconium, and the balance iron with trace commercial impurities.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a heat treatment atmosphere by a catalytic reaction in a catalytic reactor including an inlet and an outlet between a first gas mixture comprising oxygen and a second gas mixture comprising a hydrocarbon for the purpose of supplying said atmosphere to a user site comprising at least one user location, comprising the steps of:a) feeding said first and second gas mixture at a given flowrate into the inlet of said catalytic reactor;b) continuously measuring the pressure of the heat treatment atmosphere obtained at the reactor outlet;c) comparing the pressure measured during step b) with a setpoint pressure level P.sub.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method and a device for the heat treatment of workpieces, which are heated with radiant heat generated through the combustion of gaseous fuel. Some of the workpieces are subjected to a carburisation atmosphere formed by a heated mixture of hydrocarbon containing gas and carbon dioxide, where the carbon dioxide has been separated from the exhaust gas of the gaseous fuel combustion. Other workpieces may be subjected to a nitrocarburisation atmosphere formed by a mixture of ammonia and the exhaust gas remaining after the carbon dioxide has been separated. By recycling some of the products of the combustion process, the present invention improves the efficiency of the carburisation process while reducing pollutant emissions.

Abstract: A method of carburizing austenitic stainless steel comprising the steps of holding austenitic stainless steel in a fluorine- or fluoride-containing gas atmosphere with heating prior to carburizing and carburizing the austenitic stainless steel at a temperature not more than 680.degree. C. wherein said austenitic stainless steel is stable austenitic stainless steel having 1 to 6 weight % molybdenum or 13 to 25 weight % chromium, wherein a carburized hard layer having corrosion resistance superior to base material forms and austenitic stainless steel products obtained thereby.

Abstract: The process and system according to the present invention are used for the production of an atmosphere. The process involves feeding an impure nitrogen stream, combined with a hydrocarbon to a catalytic reactor having a non-noble metal catalyst to produce a gas which is suitable for use as an atmosphere in furnaces for thermal treatment of metals. The impure nitrogen stream, contains less than 21% oxygen and is preferably produced by a gas membrane system. The system for producing the atmosphere preferably includes a membrane separator, one or more heat exchangers and a catalytic reactor preferably having a nickel catalyst on an alumina support.

Abstract: A powder metal gear wheel having a core density of at least 7.3 g/cc, and in one embodiment 7.4 to 7.6 g/cc and a hardened carburized surface. A method of manufacturing transmission gears comprises, sintering a powder metal blank to produce a core density of between 7.4 to 7.6 g/cc, rolling the surface of the gear blank to densify the surface, and then heating the rolled sintered part and carburizing in a vacuum furnace.

Abstract: A sintered body of titanium based carbonitride alloy containing hard constituents based on, in addition to titanium, one or more of the metals Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, No or W in 5-30% binder phase based on Co and/or Ni is disclosed. The body has a binder phase enriched surface zone with a higher binder phase content than in the inner portion of the body in combination with an enrichment of simple hard constituents, i.e., the share of grains with core-rim structure is lower in the surface zone than in the inner of the body.A method of manufacturing the sintered carbonitride alloy is also provided which comprises forming a powder mixture containing binder phase containing Co and/or Ni and hard constituents of carbides and nitrides with titanium as a main component, the mixture having composition which is substoichiometric regarding an interstitial balance and sintering the mixture to completely transform the substoichiometric phases to stoichiometric by heating a) in vacuum to 1100-1200 C.

Abstract: A treating material W pre-heated to a carburizing temperature of 750.degree.-950.degree. C. is heat-treated in a carburizing atmosphere directly supplied with hydrocarbon and oxidizing gases and heated to 1000.degree.-1100.degree. C. Then, the treating material W is forcibly cooled to a temperature below 600.degree. C., the treating material W is re-heated to 750.degree.-850.degree. C., and then it is hardened.Energy required to the carburization can be saved because drastic reduction of the treating time is possible.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a material which is used to coat or create a surface for machine cutting tools, all types of drill bit teeth, saw teeth, bearing surfaces valve seats, nozzles and the like, thereby producing surfaces which are highly abrasion and erosion resistant. Furthermore, this invention includes some of the possible methods for producing such a material given that the methods and apparatus required provide a significant cost reduction over those required for producing prior art surface materials with similar abrasion and erosion resistant properties. More specifically, the material set forth can be formed at relatively low temperatures and relatively low pressures by sintering mixtures for a relatively short period of time.

Abstract: A steel for gears consists essentially of 0.10-0.30 wt % of C, not more than 1.0 wt % of Si, not more than 1.0 wt % of Mn, 1.50-5.0 wt % of Cr, and balance including iron and impurity. A gear made by the steel forms a hardened surface layer by carbonizing-hardening-tempering or carbonitriding-hardening-tempering. The amount of C at the hardened surface layer is within a range 0.7 to 1.3 wt %, and the amounts of C, Si and Cr satisfies a relationship 5.5<3.times.C (wt %)+5.2.times.Si (wt %)+Cr (wt %). Therefore, the gear performs superior pitting-resistance and wear-resistance.

Abstract: A method of carburizing austenitic metal comprising the steps of holding austenitic metal in a fluoride-containing gas atmosphere with heating prior to carburizing and carburizing the austenitic metal at a temperature not more than 680.degree. C. and austenitic metal products obtained thereby.

Abstract: An exhaust gas of hydrocarbon is converted to an exothermic generated gas when it is burnt with air in a burner. The exothermic generated gas which has been dehydrated, is employed as a furnace atmosphere for decarburization or carburizing heat treatment, by the addition thereto of cracked methanol gas so that CO and H.sub.2 contents of the atmosphere gas may get near 1:1.

Abstract: A method for carburizing austenitic metal comprising fluorinating the austenitic metal and consecutive carburizing at a low temperature not more than 680.degree. C. A carburizing temperature can be lowered by such a fluorination. As a result, carbide of chrome component in the austenitic metal can be prevented from depositing. That is, much chrome component remains in the austenitic metal. Therefore, the austenitic metal surface can be hardened and also superior anti-corrosion property can be maintained.

Abstract: A method of forging Ni-base superalloys is described which avoids the growth of abnormally large grains in the surface region of a forged article. The method involves forging and/or annealing a Ni-base superalloy in a carburizing environment. Forging and/or annealing in a carburizing environment is done to maintain the carbon concentration in the surface region at a level that is sufficient to prevent the depletion of carbides and carbonitrides. The carburizing environment may also be selected so that it is non-oxidizing with respect to aluminum, in order to prevent the depletion of aluminum and the reduction of the .gamma.' phase in the surface region.

Abstract: A drying system is disclosed for drying wet gases, typically produced by a gas generator to dew points less than 32.degree. F. The system uses a refrigeration cycle having a single compressor to dry the wet gas in a first evaporator while simultaneously defrosting the ice buildup on a second evaporator. The cycle then switches from the first evaporator to the second evaporator after the second evaporator is defrosted. The switching is preceded by a changeover phase in which cooled refrigerant is pulsed to the defrosted evaporator and both evaporators go on line for a short time before the system phase change occurs thus assuring control of the dried gas temperature while avoiding shock to the refrigeration system.

Abstract: A loom guide bar blade for automatic weaving machinery such as an air or water jet loom wherein the surface of the blade which contacts yarn is nitrided to form a nitrided hardened layer. When this blade is used in automatic high-speed weaving machinery, wearing and the like at contacting points of the blade with the yarn are prevented. As a result yarn fluffing from its being abraded by a roughened blade surface is minimized.

Abstract: An endogenerator is provided in which CO and H.sub.2 are generated as primary products of hydrocarbon oxidation. Noble metal catalysts such as platinum (Pt) and particularly rhodium (Rh), are loaded on a porous ceramic support, of example, an alumina carrier. In the endogenerator reactor little or no CO and H.sub.2 are produced by the slow and energy-intensive reforming reactions and this allows for a compact reactor which operates autothermally without auxiliary heating means, and with high space velocities wherein space velocity is defined as the number of standard cubic feet per hour of output gas per cubic foot of the catalyst carrier. Preferred hydrocarbons are methane or propane, preferred oxidants are nitrogen/oxygen mixtures with from 5% oxygen up to 100% oxygen. The endogenerator of the present invention provides a process and apparatus that generates the required reducing gases CO and H.sub.2 for heat treating applications which require leaner atmospheres and lower carbon potentials.

Abstract: A reusable, non-wetting, corrosion-resistant material suitable for containment of corrosive liquids is formed of a tantalum or tantalum alloy substrate that is permeated with carbon atoms. The substrate is carburized to form surface layers of TaC and Ta.sub.2 C, and then is heated at high temperature under vacuum until the carbon atoms in the carbide layers diffuse throughout the substrate to form a solid solution of carbon atoms randomly interspersed in the tantalum or tantalum alloy lattice.

Abstract: An improved method for producing substantially moisture- and oxygen-free, nitrogen-hydrogen atmospheres suitable for annealing, hardening, brazing, and sintering ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys is disclosed. According to the disclosed method, suitable nitrogen-hydrogen atmosphere is produced by 1) generating a nitrogen stream containing about 0.1 to 5% residual oxygen by a known non-cryogenic air separation technique, 2) mixing it with a pre-determined but more than stoichiometric amount of hydrogen required to convert residual oxygen to moisture, 3) converting residual oxygen to moisture by reaction with hydrogen in a catalytic reactor, 4) cooling the reactor effluent stream, and 5) removing moisture from it in a regenerative sorbent dryer.

Abstract: A sintered body of titanium-based carbonitride alloy according to the invention comprises carbonitride hard constituents in 5-25% binder phase where the hard constituents contain, in addition to Ti, one or more of the metals Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo and/or W and the binder phase is based on cobalt and/or nickel. The sintered body has at least one outer surface with a <50 .mu.m thick surface layer of a titanium-rich cubic carbonitride. Below this layer there is a <100 .mu.m thick binder phase enrichment zone. The binder phase content can be >1.2 of that in the inner part of the body D. Under the binder phase enrichment zone, there is a <250 .mu.m thick binder phase depleted zone C. The binder phase content in this zone has a lowest level <0.9 of the binder phase content in the inner part of the body D.Such sintered bodies are manufactured by heat treatment in an atmosphere of N.sub.2 and/or NH.sub.3 possibly in combination with at least one of CH.sub.4, CO and CO.sub.2 at 1100.degree.-1350.

Abstract: A patch for preventing carburization, nitriding or oxidation comprises:a film comprising a heat-fusible or heat-meltable particulate material having an anti-carburizing, anti-nitriding or anti-oxidizing effect and a heat-decomposable resin as a binder; anda heat-resistant silicone pressure sensitive adhesive, which is decomposed at a carburizing, nitriding or oxidizing temperature, provided on one side of the film.

Abstract: A process for producing a crack-free, laser nitride-hardened layer on a titanium substrate, the process including preheating the substrate, melting a small area of substrate with a laser, and shrouding the melted area with a gas mixture having a maximum critical amount of nitrogen not greater than 85%. A crack-free pump shaft so hardened to Rockwell 52 C is produced.

Abstract: A heat treat furnace system 20 for heat treating metal workpieces includes a rotary carburizing chamber 24 containing a carburizing atmosphere, a cooling chamber 40A or 40B adjacent the carburizing chamber 24, a gas barrier device 50 cooperating with the cooling chamber opening and the carburizing chamber outlet for impeding movement of atmosphere therethrough; and transfer mechanisms for operatively moving at least one selected workpiece from the carburizing chamber 24 to the cooling chamber 40A or 40B and vice versa, and from the cooling chamber 40B to the equalizing chamber 26 and vice versa. The carburizing chamber 24 has a circular rotatable hearth for supporting an array of workpieces, and an inlet for loading the workpieces into the carburizing chamber 24. The cooling chamber 40A or 40B also has means for providing a protective atmosphere within it.

Abstract: There is provided a composite copper alloy having a copper alloy core and a modified surface layer containing a nitride or carbide film. Alternatively, the modified surface layer may contain a carbo-nitride film. The alloy is formed by reacting a copper alloy with nitrogen, carbon or a nitrogen/carbon mixture at elevated temperatures. The resultant surface layer improves the tribological and mechanical properties of the alloy while maintaining useful electrical conductivity.

Abstract: An improved process for deoxygenating non-cryogenically produced nitrogen with a hydrocarbon is disclosed. According to the process, non-cryogenically produced nitrogen stream containing residual oxygen impurity is 1) pre-heated, 2) mixed with a hydrocarbon, and 3) passed through a reactor packed with a platinum group of metal catalyst to reduce oxygen to very low levels by converting it to a mixture of carbon dioxide and moisture. The reactor effluent stream is optionally treated downstream to produce a nitrogen stream substantially free of moisture and carbon dioxide. The key features of the disclosed process include 1) pre-heating non-cryogenically produced nitrogen containing residual oxygen to a certain minimum temperature, 2) adding more than stoichiometric amount of a hydrocarbon to the pre-heated nitrogen stream, and 3) using a platinum group of metal catalyst to initiate and sustain the reaction between oxygen and hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Objects of titanium or titanium alloys having the surface converted to a hard and wear-resistant nitride layer with good adhesion, which is distributed uniformly and also provides internal capillaries. The objects are produced by being treated in a vacuum furnace with an atmosphere of pure nitrogen gas at a temperature of 650.degree.-1000.degree. C. and at a pressure below atmospheric pressure. The thickness of the nitride layer can be controlled by controlling the treatment time and temperature.

Abstract: The process with a view to imparting to the treated article a resistance to frictional wear, a corrosion resistance, and a color, is characterized according to the invention in that the surface of the article is subjected to a thermochemical pretreatment under electric plasma in a vessel under an atmosphere containing reactive species such as N.sub.2 and hydrogen, the reactive species diffusing into and precipitating in the metal matrix of the article to form a diffusion sublayer and in that a layer of carbon in vapor phase is deposited under electric plasma on the surface thus treated, in the same vessel, the composition of the atmosphere for the pretreatment being gradually modified, on the one hand, by the introduction of a hydrocarbon and/or of a silane in the gaseous state and, on the other hand, by progressive reduction of the partial pressures of the reactive species employed during the pretreatment, and the maintenance of the hydrocarbon atmosphere for the carbon deposition.

Abstract: An improved process for producing nitrogen-based atmospheres suitable for annealing ferrous metals and alloys, brazing metals, sintering metal and ceramic powders, and sealing glass to metals from non-cryogenically generated nitrogen is presented. These atmospheres are produced by 1) humidifying non-cryogenically generated nitrogen containing less than 5.0 vol. % residual oxygen, 2) mixing it with a specified amount of a hydrocarbon gas, 3) feeding the gaseous mixture into the heating zone of a furnace through a diffuser, and 4) converting in-situ the residual oxygen and moisture present in it to a mixture of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, moisture, and/or hydrogen. The key features of the present invention include a) humidifying the feed gas prior to introducing it into the heating zone of a furnace operated above about 800.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for generating in-situ low-cost atmospheres suitable for annealing and heat treating ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys, brazing metals and ceramics, sealing glass to metals, and sintering metal and ceramic powders in a continuous furnace from non-cryogenically produced nitrogen containing up to 5% residual oxygen is presented. The disclosed process involves mixing nitrogen gas containing residual oxygen with a pre-determined amount of a reducing gas such as hydrogen, a hydrocarbon, or a mixture thereof, feeding the gaseous mixture through a non-conventional device into the hot zone of a continuous heat treating furnace, converting residual oxygen to an acceptable form such as moisture, a mixture of moisture and carbon dioxide, or a mixture of moisture, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and using the resultant gaseous mixture for annealing and heat treating metals and alloys, brazing metals and ceramics, sintering metal and ceramic powders, and sealing glass to metals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving fretting resistance of zirconium alloy components formed into a shape for use in a nuclear reactor are disclosed in which at least a portion of the outer surface of a component is reacted with material selected from the group consisting of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and combinations of the foregoing at a temperature below about 700.degree. C. to form a wear resistant layer on the surface of the component.

Abstract: An improved process for producing high-moisture containing nitrogen-based atmospheres suitable for oxide and decarburize annealing of carbon steels from non-cryogenically generated nitrogen is presented. These nitrogen-based atmospheres are produced by 1) mixing non-cryogenically generated nitrogen containing less than 5.0 vol. % residual oxygen with a specified amount of hydrogen, 2) humidifying the gaseous feed mixture, 3) feeding the gaseous mixture into the heating zone of a furnace through a diffuser, and 4) converting in-situ the residual oxygen present in it to moisture. According to the present invention, the total amount of hydrogen required for producing suitable atmospheres can be minimized by simultaneously humidifying the feed gas and controlling the residual oxygen level in it. The key features of the present invention include a) humidifying the feed gas prior to introducing it into the heating zone of a furnace operated above about 600.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed are a Ti--Al alloy including aluminum (Al) in an amount of 30 to 38% by weight, nitrogen (N) in an amount of 0.2 to 1.0% by weight, and titanium (Ti), substantially the balance, and a process for producing the same. Since the Ti--Al alloy includes the nitrogen in the predetermined amount, the microstructure of the Ti--Al alloy can be micro-fined and made into a uniform one, and accordingly the shrinkage cavities can be reduced remarkably. Therefore, the strength, the ductility or the like of the Ti--Al alloy can be improved remarkably. With the production process, it is possible to produce the Ti--Al alloy including the nitrogen in the predetermined range.

Abstract: A method of nitriding nickel alloy comprising steps of holding nickel alloy in an atmosphere of fluorine- or fluoride-containing gas in a heated condition and holding the fluorinated nickel alloy in a nitriding atmosphere in a heated condition to provide the nickel alloy with improved surface hardness by forming a deep uniform nitrided layer on the surface of the nickel alloy.

Abstract: The thermal treatment atmosphere is obtained by catalytic reaction of an impure mixture of nitrogen, advantageously obtained by permeation or adsorption, and hydrocarbon, the catalytic reaction being carried out at a temperature between 400.degree. and 900.degree. C., typically between 500.degree. and 800.degree. C., with a noble metal base catalyst, typically platinum or palladium on alumina support. The reaction may be carried out in a reactor placed inside or outside the furnace.

Abstract: Substantially all residual oxidizing gas in a treating atmosphere which is inert or reducing, is eliminated by injecting into the atmosphere a gaseous silicon hydride at a temperature between 50 and 1,600.degree. C. and in amount such that the ratio R of the content of hydride to the content of oxidizing gas to be eliminated is within the range of 1.5 to 20. The rapid action of the trace amounts of hydride injected enables one to control with precision heat treatment processes by maintaining the residual oxidizing gas contents below predetermined very low thresholds.

Abstract: A low pressure carburization process for metal alloy parts uses a fuel mixture consisting of hydrogen with 2 to 60% by volume ethylene. The fuel mixture is heated to a temperature between 820.degree. and 1100.degree. C. A furnace installation for carrying out the process includes a double vacuum tank or vessel arrangement with internal carburizing gas distribution, an annular space surrounding the vessel, a cover, thermocouples and a microcomputer control arrangement.

Abstract: A continuous annealing line for annealing a cold-rolled strip of a ultra-low-carbon steel comprising a heating furnace for heating the strip which is fed continuously, with or without a soaking furnace following the heating furnace, a cooling furnace in which the heated steel strip is cooled, and a carburizing/nitriding furnace disposed between the heating furnace or the soaking furnace and the cooling furnace. The carburizing/nitriding furnace may be divided into a plurality of zones, each of which is provided with control means for controlling the carburizing/nitriding atmosphere and carburizing/nitriding temperature in the zone. The continuous annealing line may further comprise a plurality of carburizing/nitriding furnaces and have an arrangement for conducting a switching between a mode in which the carburizing/nitriding furnace is used for carburizing/nitriding the steel strip and a mode in which the carburizing/cooling furnace is used for cooling the steel strip.

Abstract: A method of treating apertured plates with a gaseous medium, e.g. to produce a nitride surface layer thereon, by placing the plates in rows in a furnace and causing the gaseous medium to flow across the surfaces of the plates by circulating the medium through the furnace and deflecting the medium as it flows along the furnace walls away from the walls to give a substantially uniform flow of gas across the plate surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for preparation of treatment gas used in heat treatments, whereby the treatment gas is produced in a furnace disposed catalyst retort at a temperature of that of the furnace in which the retort is positioned.With such processes, when using lower furnace temperature ranges, problems occur with respect to the reaction of the feed gas in the catalyst retort. To provide an improvement, the catalyst retort in the furnace is surrounded by a shield, and the treatment gas generated in and leaving the catalyst retort is first fed into a space defined by this shield and thereafter released into furnace space. By this, an isolation of the catalyst retort from the interior of the furnace is provided, and relatively higher retort temperatures are available.

Abstract: An integrated continuous/batch furnace system for heat treating metal parts combines a continuous furnace system and a batch furnace system. The continuous furnace system includes a preheat furnace, a rotary carburizing furnace, an equalize/diffusion furnace, an oil quench, a press quench chamber and a slow cooling chamber. The batch furnace system includes a temper furnace, a carburize/quench/slow cool furnace, and a washer. A parts tray system for holding parts to be heat treated includes a parts tray for transporting parts through the continuous furnace system, and a parts tray assembly for transporting parts through the batch furnace system. The parts tray assembly includes two parts trays detachably coupled together with rigid U-shaped alloy chips.A method for heat treating trays of parts in an integrated continuous/batch furnace system includes determining whether to heat treat the parts with the continuous furnace system or the batch furnace system.

Abstract: A wear-resistant titanium alloy containing titanium carbides which are crystallized and/or precipitated and are dispersed in the .beta.-phase matrix is disclosed. The alloy may further comprise .alpha.-phase and/or additional hard particles dispersed in the .beta.-phase matrix.

Abstract: The method and the apparatus serve to cool cast billets made of an aluminum alloy after a homogenizing anneal.The billets emerging from a full-annealing furnace continuously one after the other in the longitudinal direction at a first temperature are guided in-line through a spray unit at a program-controlled feed rate and while being sprayed on all sides with the cooling medium in a program-controlled manner to reach an adjustable surface temperature. The internal and surface temperature of the billets are equalized a short time after leaving the spray unit.The spray unit for the billets (16) passing through in-line is equipped over its entire length and over the entire periphery of its inner space with nozzles which can be adjusted as a whole, in groups or individually.

Abstract: A system for producing ceramic or cermet material in a plasma type thermal reactor wherein a reactor flame and reactants are introduced into one end of a reaction chamber through which a concentric film of collecting liquid (oil) flows and empties at the opposite end into a pool of collecting liquid. The collecting (and cooling) liquid enters the chamber at the same end the flame enters and forms a liquid wall surrounding the flame that sweeps substantially the whole inner periphery of the walls of the chamber from one end to the opposite end and empties into the pool of collecting (and cooling) liquid. Liquid from the pool is recirculated back to the one end and is filtered to remove the particulate formed from the reactants.

Abstract: A method of quenching which comprises the steps of (a) immersing a metal heated to an elevated temperature in a quenchant composition comprising an aqueous-solution of a sufficiently hydrophilic water-soluble or water-dispersible organic polymer of the formula:Y[AR].sub.xto provide a solution containing .[.15.0.]. .Iadd.from about 1 to about 20 .Iaddend.