Abstract: Disclosed herein is a surface treatment method of a titanium material for electrodes characterized by including: a titanium oxide layer formation step S1 of forming a titanium oxide layer with a thickness of 10 nm or more and 80 nm or less on the surface of a titanium material including pure titanium or a titanium alloy; a noble metal layer formation step S2 of forming a noble metal layer with a thickness of 2 nm or more including at least one noble metal selected from Au, Pt, and Pd on the titanium oxide layer by a PVD method; and a heat treatment step S3 of heat treating the titanium material having the noble metal layer formed thereon at a temperature of 300° C. or more and 800° C. or less.

Abstract: Method, and articles therefrom, for providing a hard, abrasion-resistant, attractive, oxide surface layer of selectable thickness and having an outer appearance within the scale from gray to blackness, to a zirconium titanium alloy article by heating the article in an oxygen containing atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention provides oxidation resistant coatings for transition metal substrates and transition metal alloy substrates and method for producing the same. The coatings may be multilayered, multiphase coatings or gradient multiphase coatings. In some embodiments the transition metal alloys may be boron-containing molybdenum silicate-based binary and ternary alloys. The coatings are integrated into the substrates to provide durable coatings that stand up under extreme temperature conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a process and chemical composition for the removal of adherent niobium-rich second-phase particles (SPPs) from pickled niobium-containing zirconium alloys which includes applying to the alloy surface a chemical composition comprising alkaline hydrogen peroxide; an alkali metal meta-silicate; and a magnesium salt.

Abstract: A method for producing a substrate having a carbon-doped titanium oxide layer, which is excellent in durability (high hardness, scratch resistance, wear resistance, chemical resistance, heat resistance) and functions as a visible light responding photocatalyst, is provided. The surface of a substrate, which has at least a surface layer comprising titanium, a titanium alloy, a titanium alloy oxide, or titanium oxide, is heat-treated in a combustion gas atmosphere of a gas consisting essentially of a hydrocarbon, or in a gas atmosphere consisting essentially of a hydrocarbon, such that the surface temperature of the substrate is 900 to 1,500° C.; or a combustion flame of a gas consisting essentially of a hydrocarbon, is directly struck against the surface of the substrate for heat treatment such that the surface temperature of the substrate is 900 to 1,500° C., thereby forming a carbon-doped titanium oxide layer, whereby the substrate having the carbon-doped titanium oxide layer is obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for protecting metal from oxidation during metal forming operations. A salt is deposited onto at least a portion of a surface of the metal. The salt is heated in a protective environment until the salt melts on the metal to form a coated metal. The protective environment may then be removed and the coated metal may be exposed to an active environment. The coated metal may then be formed using standard metal forming processes. In alternative embodiments salts are selected for particular melting and vaporizing temperatures. An automated apparatus for coating a metal object with a salt may be provided. An applicator is configured to deposit the salt onto a surface of the metal object to form a salted metal object. A furnace is configured to receive the salted metal object and to melt at least a portion of the salt on the surface of the salted metal object.

Abstract: A method of treating a transmissive body of zinc sulfide or zinc selenide includes placing a non-platinum metal layer, such as a layer of cobalt, silver, or iron on a surface of the transmissive body, and improving the optical properties of the transmissive body by subjecting the body and the layer to an elevated temperature and elevated pressure. The zinc sulfide or zinc selenide may be chemical vapor deposited material. The non-platinum metal of the layer may be such that a Gibbs free energy of formation of a most stable sulfide (or selenide) of the non-platinum metal is more negative than a Gibbs free energy of formation of a most stable zinc sulfide (or zinc selenide) configuration that is thermodynamically capable of reacting with the non-platinum metal. With this condition the non-platinum metal preferentially chemically bonds with free sulfur (or free selenium) in preference to zinc sulfide (or zinc selenium).

Abstract: The invention relates to a malleable, high mechanical strength aluminum alloy of the AlMgSi type which can be anodized in a decorative manner, to a semifinished product produced from said alloy, in the shape of strips, sheets or extruded profiles, and to a structural component produced from the above semifinished products, especially a reshaped component that has been anodized in a decorative manner. The invention also relates to a method for producing an aluminum alloy component of the above type. Said aluminum alloy has good malleability, achieved by weight percentages of strontium in the alloy and defined weight ratios of silicon to magnesium and iron to strontium.

Abstract: Methods to form metal oxide material are described. In one process, an oxide film on a metal material is diffused throughout the metal material to form a preferred uniform metal oxide material. The present invention further relates to products formed by the process. Also, the present invention relates to the use of the products in capacitor anodes and other applications.

Abstract: Group IV semiconductor nanoparticles that have been stably passivated with an organic passivation, layer, methods for producing the same, and compositions utilizing stably passivated. Group IV semiconductor nanoparticles are described. In some embodiments, the stably passivated Group IV semiconductor nanoparticles are luminescent Group IV semiconductor nanoparticles with high photoluminescent quantum yields. The stably passivated Group IV semiconductor nanoparticles can be used in compositions useful in a variety of optoelectronic devices.

Abstract: Methods for improving adhesion between a shape memory alloy and a polymeric material include functionalizing a surface of the shape memory polymer with a phosphorous containing compound or an organosilane coupling agent. Other methods include surface texturing the shape memory alloy surface, independently or in combination with the functionalization.

Abstract: Niobium silicide articles are described. They include a surface region enriched with at least about 25 atom % germanium, which can enhance the properties of the article. Methods for preparing these articles are described as well. According to one method, an article is formed from a niobium silicide composite material which contains a selected amount of germanium. The article is then heat-treated under conditions sufficient to increase the level of germanium in the surface region to at least about 25 atom %, based on the total composition of the surface region. In another embodiment, a germanium-containing material is applied over a niobium-silicide article, and then diffused into the surface region of the article by way of a heat treatment.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for generating nanostructures in order to obtain in an area on the surface of a metal piece (10) a nanostructured layer of defined thickness, characterized in that it comprises: a step for projecting onto an impact point in the area of the surface of the piece (10) to be treated, for a given duration, at a given speed and at variable incidences at the same impact point, a given quantity of perfectly spherical balls (22) of given dimensions, reused continuously during the projection; repetition of the preceding step with a shift of the impact point so that the impact points as a group cover the entire surface of the piece to be treated; a step for treatment by diffusion of chemical compounds into the nanostructured layer generated during the step for implementing the method for generating nanostructures.

Abstract: In order to provide a wear-resistant member which is excellent in wear resistance and pitting resistance, a valve train component is subjected to oxidation treatment to adjust its surface hardness to a preliminary value in a range between 550 and 800, followed by shot peening of at least a contact surface, to adjust the surface hardness to a value in a range between 800 and 1000. In a valve spring retainer, the contact surface is a seating surface against which a valve spring abuts. In a valve lifter, the contact surface is a sliding surface against which a cam lobe abuts. The components subject to the oxidation treatment are each made of a titanium alloy having an alloy composition including from 0.5 to 1.5 wt. % of Fe, from 0.2 to 0.5 wt. % of O and the balance of Ti and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: Surface treating methods of a titanium part may include the steps of determining an effective thickness of a hard oxide film to be formed on a surface of the titanium part, determining an effective surface roughness of the hard oxide film, and oxidation treating the surface of the titanium part under a desired treating temperature and a desired treating time such that both of the determined effective thickness and effective surface roughness are satisfied.

Abstract: An article of titanium or a titanium-based alloy, or of zirconium or a zirconium-based alloy is case hardened by heat treatment for at least 12 hours at one or more temperatures in the range of 850° C. to 900° C. and at a pressure in the order of atmospheric pressure in an oxygen diffusion atmosphere. The oxygen diffusion atmosphere comprises a carrier gas such as argon which does not react chemically with the article the said temperature range and molecular oxygen. The concentration of oxygen as the oxygen diffusion atmosphere is in the range of 10 volumes per million to 400 volumes per million.

Abstract: A metal material whose surface is modified by bonding of aromatic groups, optionally substituted by functional groups.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a process for forming a specific reactive element barrier on a titanium and aluminum containing substrate is provided. The process includes creating a dry air atmosphere with a concentration of water vapor below about 750 ppm at a temperature above about 550° C. contiguous to a surface of the substrate on which the barrier layer is to be formed. The temperature is maintained above 550° C. and the water vapor concentration is maintained below about 100 ppm while the water vapor in the dry air atmosphere is reacted with specific reactive elements at the substrate surface. The reaction forms a specific reactive element oxide barrier layer which is strongly bonded to the substrate surface. The barrier layer includes an aluminum oxide layer at the substrate/barrier layer interface and a second oxide layer at a barrier layer/atmosphere interface.

Abstract: A method, a composition and a method for making the composition for anodizing metal surfaces, especially magnesium surfaces is disclosed. The composition is a basic aqueous solution including hydroxylamine, phosphate anions and nonionic surfactants. A complementary method, composition and method for making the composition for rendering an anodized metal surface, especially a magnesium surface, conductive is disclosed. The composition is a basic aqueous solution including bivalent nickel, pyrophosphate anions, sodium hypophosphite and either ammonium thiocyanate or lead nitrate.

Abstract: Oxidation protection of a titanium-based alloy is provided with improved fatigue properties by a titanium aluminide coating of between 2 to 12 microns by diffusing the Al into the Ti at a temperature below the melting point of the Al. The coating is gas deposited and protects the titanium-based alloys from oxidation at high temperature utilization.

Abstract: A method of case hardening an article formed of titanium, zirconium or an alloy of titanium and/or zirconium is disclosed. First, the article is heat-treated in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature in the range of 700 to 1000° C. so as to form an oxide layer on the article. Then, the article is further heat-treated in a vacuum or in a neutral or inert atmosphere at a temperature in the range of 700 to 1000° C. so as to cause oxygen from the oxide layer to diffuse into the article.

Abstract: The diamter of &bgr;-titanium alloy wire is reduced by cold wire-drawing and the &bgr;-titanium alloy wire is subjected to heat treatment. The heat treatment comprises the first aging process for precipitation strengthening and the second aging process for removing processing strain. &bgr;-titanium alloy wire is heat-treated under the supply of tension at the second aging process.

Abstract: The invention provides a titanium composite material comprising a bonded laminate having a layer of macromolecular material bonded to the modified surface of a titanium sheet or a titanium alloy sheet, and a process for preparing a titanium composite material, the process comprising the step of bonding a macromolecular material to a titanium sheet or a titanium alloy sheet having a modified surface to be bonded.

Abstract: A method for forming an NiCr seed layer based bottom spin valve sensor element having a synthetic antiferromagnet pinned (SyAP) layer and a capping layer comprising either a single specularly reflecting nano-oxide layer (NOL) or a bi-layer comprising a non-metallic layer and a specularly reflecting nano-oxide layer and the sensor element so formed. The method of producing these sensor elements provides elements having higher GMR ratios and lower resistances than elements of the prior art.

Abstract: A niobium wire, a process for producing it, and its use for connection to niobium or niobium oxide capacitors. The wire is enriched with oxygen and preferably has oxygen concentrations of about 3,000 to 30,000 &mgr;g/g.

Abstract: A process for forming a metallic article having a black ornamental surface includes the steps of metallurgically providing an alloy containing between about 51 and 70 about percent by weight of titanium, between about 3 and about 17 percent by weight of niobium, and the balance of a metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, tantalum, molybdenum, hafnium zirconium, chromium, and mixtures thereof. The alloy is then casted and/or metal worked into a workpiece having a desired geometry and surface texture. The workpiece thereof is then baked in a kiln or oven in a substantially air atmosphere of between about 450 and about 850 degrees C. for a period of between about one and about 29 minutes. Resultant of such baking, there is produced a durable black surface layer consisting substantially of an oxide of niobium which is adhered to the substrate of the workpiece which remains unoxidized.

Abstract: A method for improving the electrical conductivity of a substrate of metal, metal alloy or metal oxide comprising depositing a small or minor amount of metal or metals from Group VIIIA metals (Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt) or from Group IA metals (Cu, Ag, Au) on a substrate of metal, metal alloys and/or metal oxide from Group IVA metals (Ti, Zr, Hf), Group VA metals (V, Nb, Ta), Group VIA metals (Cr, Mo, W) and Al, Mn, Ni and Cu and then directing a high energy beam onto the substrate to cause an intermixing of the deposited material with the native oxide of the substrate metal or metal alloy. The native oxide layer is changed from electrically insulating to electrically conductive. The step of depositing can be carried out, for example, by ion beam assisted deposition, electron beam deposition, chemical vapor deposition, physical vapor deposition, plasma assisted, low pressure plasma and plasma spray deposition and the like.

Abstract: A mediator molecule is immobilized on the surface of a metallic or ceramic implant material. An anchor molecule (e.g., dialdehyde or cyanogen bromide) having a functional group that covalently binds the mediator molecule is covalently bound to the surface, and the mediator molecule is coupled to the functional group of the anchor molecule. The implant material may comprise titanium, titanium alloy, aluminium or stainless steel or hydroxylapatite. Oxide units on the implant material surface can be increased preferably by treating with hot chromic-sulphuric acid for 0.5 to 3 hours at a temperature between 100 to 250° C. prior to binding the anchor molecule. Also, prior to binding the anchor molecule, the surface of the implant material can be activated by reacting with a silane derivative. Mediator molecules include BMP protein, ubiquitin and antibiotics, and the implant material may be an artificial joint or coronary vessel support such as a stent.

Abstract: In a method of producing on the surface of a component which consists of a titanium alloy or an intermetallic phase on the basis of titanium, a protective layer (according to the formula Ti5,0−xAgx+yAl3,0−yO2), a mixture of Ti powder and TiO2 powder, which has been sintered, is applied to the surfaces of the component or, if the titanium alloy includes 40-60 at % Al, a coating of silver is applied to the component and the component is then heat treated at 500 to 900° C. to form the protective layer on its surfaces.

Abstract: Oxidation protection of a titanium heat exchanger is provided by a titanium aluminide or solgel coating. The coating protects bare titanium and brazed surfaces of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Corrosion-resistant welding electrodes made of tungsten or a tungsten alloy are produced. Prefabricated welding electrodes are heat treated at temperatures of between 300° C. and 500° C. in an oxidizing atmosphere. This results in the formation of oxide layers on the surface of the welding electrodes; these layers have good electrical conductivity and prevent the formation of unwanted corrosion layers with poor conductivity. Welding electrodes produced in this way demonstrate outstanding spark ignition and problem-free erosion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a layer with a sub-micrometre structure on a substrate. First, a layer is formed on the substrate. Agents for creating elastic strains are then formed in at least one predetermined position on the layer and the layer is then subjected to a strain-dependent solid-state reaction. This results in material separating and consequently, in the layer being structured in this position.

Abstract: A process of forming a ceramic coating on a component. The process generally entails placing the component in a coating chamber containing oxygen and an inert gas, heating a surface of the component to a temperature of about 100 to about 150° C., and then generating a metal vapor from at least one metal target using a microwave-stimulated, oxygen-containing sputtering technique. The metal vapor is then caused to condense on the component surface to form a metal layer, after which the metal layer is treated with a microwave-stimulated plasma to oxidize the metal layer and form an oxide layer having a columnar microstructure. The generating, condensing and treating steps can be repeated any number of times to form multiple oxide layers that together constitute the ceramic coating.

Abstract: A sintered rare earth magnet consisting essentially of 20-30% by weight of R (wherein R is Sm or a mixture of Sm and another rare earth element), 10-45% by weight of Fe, 1-10% by weight of Cu, 0.5-5% by weight of Zr, and the balance of Co has on its surface a composite layer containing Sm2O3 and/or CoFe2O4 in Co or Co and Fe. The magnet is resistant to hydrogen embrittlement.

Abstract: Oxidation protection of a titanium-based alloy is provided with improved fatigue properties by a titanium aluminide coating of between 2 to 12 microns by diffusing the Al into the Ti at a temperature below the melting point of the Al. The coating is gas deposited and protects the titanium-based alloys from oxidation at high temperature utilization.

Abstract: A titanium aluminide substrate (4) is vulnerable to air oxidation, limiting the use of this substrate in a variety of industrial applications, including the aircraft and aerospace industries. A bilayer reactive barrier (2) is formed on a titanium aluminide substrate. The barrier layer includes an &agr;-Al2O3 layer (6) from the reaction of oxygen from the disassociation of water with alumina in a gaseous and water vapor atmosphere at high temperatures and low oxygen concentration. During the process, titanium migrates through the &agr;-Al2O3 to a gas/barrier layer surface (14) and is oxidized to form a Ti2O3 layer (8). A surface of the Ti2O3 layer is subsequently oxidized to form a TiO2 layer (12). In this manner, a triple layer barrier is formed in which the immersible TiO2 and &agr;-Al2O3 are separated by Ti2O3. The three layers are bonded to each with a bond strength greater than 4500 kPa.

Abstract: Ti alloy is embedded in a powder such as graphite and heated with the powder in an oxygen atmosphere. Oxygen atoms are diffused into the Ti alloy to form an oxygen diffusion layer of Ti—O solid solution, thereby increasing wear resistance of the valve. A poppet valve in an internal combustion engine may be made of such Ti alloy.

Abstract: A discharge wire usable in an electrification device includes a tungsten wire subjected to mirror finish processing and an oxidized layer formed by heating the surface of the tungsten wire at a temperature in the range 400 to 600° C., wherein the film has a thickness in the range of 0.01 to 0.3 &mgr;m.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a component (1) comprising an element (2), which contains zirconium or a zirconium alloy and which has a surface (3) on which a corrosion protective layer (4) is formed, the oxide layer (4) comprising zirconium oxide. The component (1) is intended to be in an oxidising environment (6) and said oxide layer (4) has an outer surface (5) towards said oxidising environment (6). The element (2) comprises a layer (10), that borders said surface (3) and comprises hydrogen and at least one metal from the group of lanthanum elements and/or from the group platinum metals and/or yttrium which in its elemental form or as an oxide have the ability to effectively dissociate oxygen and H2O. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the component (1) and a nuclear facility comprising the component (1).

Abstract: A Ti alloy poppet valve consists of a valve stem and a valve head, and is employed as intake or exhaust valve in an internal combustion engine of an automobile. O2 is put into the valve in a furnace at very slight amount and heated to introduce oxygen atoms into titanium of the valve to form a Ti—O interstitial solid solution without making titanium oxides. The valve is strengthened to increase hardness and wear resistance.

Abstract: Ti alloy is embedded in a powder such as graphite and heated with the powder in an oxygen atmosphere. Oxygen atoms are diffused into the Ti alloy to form an oxygen diffusion layer of Ti—O solid solution, thereby increasing wear resistance of the valve. A poppet valve in an internal combustion engine may be made of such Ti alloy.

Abstract: A simple surface treatment process is provided which offers a high performance surface for a variety of applications at low cost. This novel surface treatment, which is particularly useful for Ti-6Al-4V alloys, is achieved by forming oxides on the surface with a two-step chemical process and without mechanical abrasion. First, after solvent degreasing, sulfuric acid is used to generate a fresh titanium surface. Next, an alkaline perborate solution is used to form an oxide on the surface. This acid-followed-by-base treatment is cost effective and relatively safe to use in commercial applications. In addition, it is chromium-free, and has been successfully used with a sol-gel coating to afford a strong adhesive bond that exhibits excellent durability after the bonded specimens have been subjected to a harsh 72 hour water boil immersion. Phenylethynyl containing adhesives were used to evaluate this surface treatment with a novel coupling agent containing both trialkoxysilane and phenylethynyl groups.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing a hydrogen-absorbing alloy electrode according to this invention comprises the steps of: dissolving a particle surface of said hydrogen-absorbing alloy by a surface-treatment solution; and washing the hydrogen-absorbing alloy with the particle surface dissolved using an alkaline solution at a temperature of 30° C.˜40° C. The metal ions dissolved by the surface-treatment solution can be completely washed away by the alkaline solution so that they will not be precipitated onto the surface of the hydrogen-absorbing alloy again as the hydroxide.

Abstract: A compact type large capacity titanium electrolytic capacitor having minimized leakage current is provided by forming a stable oxide film having a large dielectric constant on a titanium surface, wherein a titanium substrate having a titanium oxide film thereon having a thickness of 50 nm or more is subjected to calcination in vacuum or an inert gas atmosphere, thereby reducing the thickness of said oxide film to less than 50 nm and the calcined surface of said metal titanium substrate is subjected to oxidation, thereby re-forming an oxide film on the surface of said metal titanium substrate. The metal titanium substrate having the re-formed oxide film obtained by such method can be used as an anode for a titanium electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: This self-compensating spiral for a mechanical spiral balance-wheel oscillator in watchwork or other precision instrument, made of a paramagnetic alloy, contains at least one of the elements Nb, V, Ta, Ti, Zr, Hf and is covered with a substantially uniform oxide layer having a thickness greater than or equal to 20 nm, formed by subjecting the said spiral to an anodizing treatment.

Abstract: A method is provided for depositing and thermally diffusing a boride or a carbide of a refractory metal on a substrate of a workpiece. A layer of the refractory metal is deposited on the substrate. At least one of the elements boron and carbon is deposited from a source other than the workpiece on the workpiece having the refractory metal layer. The workpiece is heated at a temperature and for a time period sufficient to diffuse at least a portion of the deposited refractory metal into the substrate and at least a portion of the deposited boron or carbon into the refractory metal layer and the substrate to form a substantially uniform and metallurgically bonded layer of the boride or carbide of the refractory metal on the substrate.

Abstract: A decorative titanium material according to the present invention eliminates a deterioration of the appearance even after processing, that is, provides a small surface roughness, and has a hardened layer of titanium at the surface of the titanium material, this hardened surface layer including nitrogen and oxygen, and having a surface crystal grain size in the range from 0.1 to 60 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A titanium aluminide alloy and tooling made therefrom for use in contact with molten aluminum and its alloys where the titanium aluminide alloy includes a rare earth element in an effective amount to prolong resistance to attack of the alloy and tooling by the molten aluminum and its alloys.

Abstract: The invention relates to TiAl-base alloys with excellent oxidation resistance, and a method for producing the same. The TiAl-base alloy of the invention comprises a substrate and a surface part formed on the substrate, the surface part comprising at least one element of Cr, Nb, Ta and W and having a surface condition capable of forming a dense film of an oxide of the element or Al2O3 in high-temperature oxidizing atmospheres. The method of the invention comprises heating a TiAl-base alloy material having an Al content of from 15 at. % to 55 at. % in the presence of an oxide having a smaller negative value of standard free energy of formation than that of alumina. The method of the invention provides TiAl-base alloys with excellent oxidation resistance.

Abstract: An electrical resistive heating system having a Nitinol heater element in the form of wire, rod strip or tube, is flexible, ductile, tough aid chemically non-reactive. The element has connectors at each end for leads from a controller that controls the flow of current through the heater element from a source of electrical power. The Nitinol heater element is treated to have an electrically insulating surface that is also hard and chemically non-reactive, so the heater element can be put in intimate contact with the materials or substrate to be heated without shorting or electrical shock to people or equipment. The controller uses temperature data feedback from a separate temperature sensor such as a thermocouple, or uses the resistance of heater element itself as a temperature sensor, since the resistance of the Nitinol changes with temperature in a predictable way.