Abstract: The present invention discloses magnesium alloys, bicycle rims made of magnesium alloys, and methods of preparing the alloys and bicycle components made of the alloys. The alloys may include the following components in percentage by weight: 5.5-6.0% of Zn, 0.3-0.6% of Zr, 0.5-2.0% of lanthanum-rich mixed rare earth and the balance of Mg.

Abstract: A method of making a metal alloy includes providing a molten metal alloy containing chromium, cerium and at least one of iron and nickel and providing an oxidizing gas and a reducing gas into the molten metal alloy to at least partially preferentially oxidize the cerium to ceria. The metal alloy may an iron or nickel based metal alloy which contains both cerium and ceria and at least 15 wt % Cr. The metal alloy may be used to form a balance of plant component for a fuel cell system.

Abstract: Described herein are additive manufacturing methods and products made using such methods. The alloy compositions described herein are specifically selected for the additive manufacturing methods and provide products that exhibit superior mechanical properties as compared to their cast counterparts. Using the compositions and methods described herein, products that do not exhibit substantial coarsening, such as at elevated temperatures, can be obtained. The products further exhibit uniform microstructures along the print axis, thus contributing to improved strength and performance. Additives also can be used in the alloys described herein.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an alpha-beta titanium alloy comprises, in weight percentages: an aluminum equivalency in the range of about 6.7 to 10.0; a molybdenum equivalency in the range of 0 to 5.0; at least 2.1 vanadium; 0.3 to 5.0 cobalt; titanium; and incidental impurities.

Abstract: In general, the present invention is directed to novel nuclear fuel rod claddings that have better performance characteristics compared to current claddings, particularly during a severe accident, such as a loss of coolant accident. The present invention provides a duplex cladding having two layers, an inner Mo or Mo-alloy layer and a protective layer disposed on the outside of the Mo or Mo-alloy layer. Optionally, the Mo or Mo-alloy layer may have a coating disposed on its inner surface to provide additional capability with the fuel pellets, thereby creating a triplex cladding.

Abstract: A method for synthesis of MgH2/Ni nanocomposites includes balancing magnesium (Mg) powder in a ball milling container with helium (He) gas atmosphere; adding a plurality of nickel (Ni) milling balls to the container; introducing hydrogen (H2) gas to the container to form a MgH2 powder; milling the MgH2 powder using the Ni-balls as milling media to provide MgH2/Ni nanocomposites. The milling can be high-energy ball milling, e.g., under 50 bar of hydrogen gas atmosphere. The high-energy ball milling can be reactive ball milling (RBM). The method can be used to attach Ni to MgH2 powders to enhance the kinetics of hydrogenation/dehydrogenation of MgH2.

Abstract: A method is described for producing nuclear fuel products, including the steps of receiving metallic or intermetallic uranium-based fuel particle cores, providing at least one physical vapour deposited coating layer surrounding the fuel particle core and embedding the nuclear fuel particles in a matrix so as to form a powder mixture of matrix material and coated fuel particles. The at least one physical vapour deposited coating layer may include inhibitors of inhibiting, stabilizing and/or reducing interaction between metallic and intermetallic uranium-based fuel particles cores and the matrix wherein the fuel particles typically may be embedded. The deposited coating layer may include neutron poisons.

Abstract: A fire-starter device for survival or emergency use has a handle portion and case portion that twist together, to sheath a mischmetal flint rod inside the case, and a seal ring protects the flint rod from environmental moisture. The case has a steel strike plate and a guide channel. The mischmetal flint rod favorably has a composition of cerium—50%, lanthanum—26%, magnesium—10%, praseodymium—3%, neodymium—1%, and iron—10%.

Abstract: One object of the present invention is to provide a production method for a nuclear fuel assembly support grid that improves the corrosion resistance of welded parts without impairing the characteristics of the support grid so as to be able adequately withstand highly efficient operation. In order to achieve the object, the present invention provide a production method for a nuclear fuel assembly support grid comprising the steps of: assembling a plurality of straps in a grid form; welding intersections of each strap; and carrying out annealing thereafter to precipitate an intermetallic compound on the welded parts.

Abstract: A ternary alloy of uranium, referred to as stakalloy, having improved machinability is formed of niobium, vanadium and uranium. The ternary alloy is formed with the percent by weight of vanadium being between the gamma eutectoid (1.0 percent by weight vanadium) and the eutectic (4.5 percent by weight vanadium) compositions, and the niobium content being between 0.01 to 0.95 percent by weight and the balance being uranium. Stakalloy has different density, improved metallurgical properties, such as different hardness, machinability, and ballistic properties from other uranium alloys, making it useful as a structural alloy where high density and high strength are important.

Abstract: Binary alloys of uranium and vanadium having high hardness and strength prepared by selectively adjusting both the composition of the alloy and the solutionization temperature between the gamma-eutectoid and the eutectic points.

Abstract: Alloys of uranium and tungsten and a method for making the alloys. The amount of tungsten present in the alloys is from about 4 wt % to about 35 wt %. Tungsten particles are dispersed throughout the uranium and a small amount of tungsten is dissolved in the uranium.

Abstract: Producing finely divided U.sub.3 Si by supercooling a melt of uranium and silicon at a high cooling rate of 10.sup.3 to 10.sup.7 .degree. C./sec.

Abstract: A uranium alloy having small additions of Ti and Nb shows improved strength and ductility in cross section of greater than one inch over prior uranium alloy having only Ti as an alloying element.

Abstract: A uranium-base alloy consists essentially of the formula U.sub.bal -Ti.sub.x -Hf.sub.y, where "x" ranges from about 0.5 to 1.0 and "y" ranges from about 0.5 to 5.0. The alloy exhibits high strength, good ductility and high density and is especially suited for use in ballistic penetrator cores.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel permanent magnet alloy compositions and high energy permanent magnets comprising from about 0.5 to about 27 atomic percent R wherein R is at least one rare earth element including Y and Sc, from about 0.1 to about 53 atomic percent A wherein A is at least one actinide element, and the balance being at least one metal wherein at least about 50 weight percent of the balance is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, and Mn. Preferably, R is from about 12 to about 18 atomic percent and R is a rare earth element selected from the group consisting of Sm, Nd, Pr, and Dy. It is also preferred that A is from about 1.5 to about 5.1 atomic percent and A is an actinide element selected from the group consisting of Ac, Th, Pa and U. The balance is preferably at least about 90 weight percent of Fe and/or Co, and further comprises from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of Zr and/or Cu.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the deformational transformation of aluminum and its alloys comprising the steps of deforming the aluminum in the solid state and annealing the deformed aluminum at a temperature at which recrystallization occurs. The recrystallization temperature of the aluminum is raised and the grain size is minimized by adding to the aluminim 5 to 1000 ppm uranium prior to the deformation. The method is particularly applicable to the production of aluminum based sheets intended to be subjected to heating at a relatively high temperature, for example the heating which accompanies enamelling or brazing operations, where the heating operation could change the mechanical properties of the sheets.

Abstract: By the inventive method, an amorphous material in powder form can be produced, whereby at least two starting components in powder form are mechanically alloyed by means of a milling process so that a boron component which cannot be alloyed mechanically can nevertheless be alloyed. According to the invention, a boron component in powder form is admixed to the starting components; this powder mixture is subjected to the milling process, an amorphous alloying component being formed from the starting components with embedded or deposited fine particles of the boron components; and the mixture powder so produced is subjected to an annealing treatment below the crystallization temperature of the amorphous alloy component for diffusing the boron into the amorphous alloy component.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the fabrication of an article of uranium-2.4 wt. % niobium alloy in which the linear thermal expansion in the direction transverse to the extrusion direction is less than about 0.98% between 22.degree. C. and 600.degree. C. which corresponds to a value greater than the 1.04% provided by previous extrusion operations over the same temperature range. The article with the improved thermal expansion possesses a yield strength at 0.2% offset of at least 400 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 1050 MPa, a compressive yield strength of at least 0.2% offset of at least 675 MPa, and an elongation of at least 25% over 25.4 mm/sec. To provide this article with the improved thermal expansion, the uranium alloy billet is heated to 630.degree. C. and extruded in the alpha phase through a die with a reduction ratio of at least 8.4:1 at a ram speed no greater than 6.8 mm/sec.

Abstract: A method for making uranium-tungsten alloy of high strength comprising raly chilling a molten solution of tungsten in uranium to form a ribbon. Subsequent to pulverizing and consolidation, heating effects a precipitation of tungsten in the uranium to effect significant strengthening. A strengthened uranium with 1/2-5%, by weight of tungsten is particularly useful for KE penetrators.