Abstract: A zirconium-based alloy, suitable for use in a corrosive environment, where it is subjected to increased radiation and comprises 0.5-1.6 percentage by weight Nb and 0.3-0.6 percentage by weight Fe. The alloy is characterised in that it comprises 0.5-0.85 percentage by weight Sn.

Abstract: The present invention provides a beta-type titanium alloy including, by weight %: Nb: 10 to 25%; Cr: 1 to 10%; at least one of Zr: 10% or less and Sn: 8% or less, satisfying Zr+Sn being 10% or less; and the balance of Ti and inevitable impurities, the alloy having Young's modulus of 100 GPa or less, a process for producing the beta-type titanium alloy, and a beta-type titanium alloy product.

Abstract: A borided titanium article can include a titanium mass having titanium monoboride whiskers infiltrating inward from a surface of the titanium mass to form an integral surface hardened region. The titanium mass can be almost any titanium based metal or alloy such as high purity titanium, commercial grade titanium, ?-titanium alloy, ?+? titanium alloy, ?-titanium alloy, titanium composite, and combinations thereof. Borided titanium articles can be formed by methods which include providing a titanium mass, contacting a surface of the titanium mass with a boron source medium, and heating the titanium mass and boron source medium to a temperature from about 700° C. to about 1600° C. The boron source medium can include a boron source and an activator selected to provide growth of titanium monoboride whiskers.

Abstract: A titanium alloy obtained by a cold-working step, in which 10% or more of cold working is applied to a raw titanium alloy, comprising a Va group element and the balance of titanium substantially, and an aging treatment step, in which a cold-worked member, obtained after the cold-working step, is subjected to an aging treatment so that the parameter “P” falls in a range of from 8.0 to 18.5 at a treatment temperature falling in a range of from 150° C. to 600° C.; and characterized in that its tensile elastic limit strength is 950 MPa or more and its elastic deformation capability is 1.6% or more. This titanium alloy is of high elastic deformation capability as well as high tensile elastic limit strength, and can be utilized in a variety of products extensively.

Abstract: A titanium alloy contains vanadium, from 10 to 20% by weight; aluminum, from 0.2 to 10% by weight; and a balance essentially titanium, and the alloy has a microstructure including a martensite phase. Alternatively, the titanium alloy contains vanadium, from 10 to 20% by weight; aluminum, from 0.2 to 10% by weight; and a balance essentially titanium, and the alloy has a microstructure including a ? phase capable of transforming into a martensite phase by cold working or cooling under a room temperature.

Abstract: A composite metal object comprises ductile crystalline metal particles in an amorphous metal matrix. An alloy is heated above its liquidus temperature. Upon cooling from the high temperature melt, the alloy chemically partitions, forming dendrites in the melt. Upon cooling the remaining liquid below the glass transition temperature it freezes to the amorphous state, producing a two-phase microstructure containing crystalline particles in an amorphous metal matrix. The ductile metal particles have a size in the range of from 0.1 to 15 micrometers and spacing in the range of from 0.1 to 20 micrometers. Preferably, the particle size is in the range of from 0.5 to 8 micrometers and spacing is in the range of from 1 to 10 micrometers. The volume proportion of particles is in the range of from 5 to 50% and preferably 15 to 35%. Differential cooling can produce oriented dendrites of ductile metal phase in an amorphous matrix.

Abstract: A metal matrix composite was fabricated by adding particles of calcium hexaboride to a metal of aluminum, magnesium or titanium and their alloys. The resulting metal matrix composite is light weight has improved strength, increased elastic modulus and reduced thermal coefficient of expansion, thus making the metal matrix composite more useful in industry. A metal matrix composite is also formed by mixing particles of aluminum, magnesium, titanium or combinations thereof with particles of silicon lexaboride, calcium hexaboride, silicon tetraboride, calcium tetraboride or combinations thereof. The blended particles are processed according to powder metallurgical techniques to produce a metal matrix composite material.

Abstract: A reversible hydrogen storage alloy capable of storing large amounts of hydrogen and delivering reversibly large amounts of hydrogen at temperatures ranging from 0° C. up to 40° C. The hydrogen storage alloy is generally composed of titanium, vanadium, and chromium. The alloy may further include manganese. Modifier elements such as zirconium, iron, nickel, molybdenum, ruthenium, and/or cobalt, and scavenger elements such as misch metal, calcium, and/or magnesium may be included in the alloy to improve performance.

Abstract: A method for absorbing and releasing hydrogen comprises applying repeatedly hydrogen pressurization and depressurization to a hydrogen storage metal alloy of a body-centered cubic structure-type phase exerting a two-stage or inclined plateau characteristic in a hydrogen storage amount vs hydrogen pressure relation in an appropriate fashion to absorb and release hydrogen. At least at one stage during the release of hydrogen, the temperature (T2) of the above-mentioned hydrogen storage metal alloy is made higher than the temperature (T1) of the hydrogen storage metal alloy during the hydrogen absorption process (T2>T1). This enables the release and utilization of occluded hydrogen at a low-pressure plateau region or an inclined plateau lower region.

Abstract: The present invention provides non-axially symmetrical manufactured parts of thickness less than 10 mm, made of ? or quasi-? titanium alloy, having a core microstructure constituted by whole grains presenting a slenderness ratio greater than 4 and an equivalent diameter lying in the range 10 ?m to 300 ?m. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing the parts by forging.

Abstract: The purpose is to provide a cathode electrode for manufacturing an electrodeposited copper foil which is possible to be continuously and stably usable for a long duration of 3000 hours or longer to subsequently lessen the frequency of maintenance work execution as low as possible and to contribute to lower the running cost of the electrodeposited copper foil manufacture. As the means for achieving the purpose, a cathode electrode made of a titanium material is employed for obtaining an electrodeposited copper foil using an electrolytic copper solution and the titanium material having 7.0 or higher crystal grain size number and 35 ppm or lower initial hydrogen content is used for manufacturing the cathode electrode for manufacturing an electrodeposited copper foil. Further, also provided is a manufacturing method of the titanium material to be employed for the cathode electrode made of a titanium material.

Abstract: In finifsh-cogging a high-purity titanium material into a cylindrical form as the final shape, if cylindrical cogging is performed in all stages of warm forging or if cylindrical cogging is performed in the initial stage of the warm forging, there is no need of peripherally restricting the cylindrical cogging material, so that even if longitudinal upset-forging is effected with an upsetting ratio of 2, the condition that the major diameter/minor diameter ratio of the section after forging is not more than 1.01 can be satisfied, developing superior upset-forgeability. This makes it possible, in producing disk-like targets for sputtering, to minimize cutting loss produced during the rolling and machining and to maximize the yield of products; therefore, the material can be widely used as a semiconductor material for electrodes and the like using a high-purity titanium material.

Abstract: An alpha-beta, titanium-base alloy with improved ductility at high strength levels compared to commercially available alloys, such as Ti-17. The alloy exhibits at least a 20% improvement in ductility at a given strength level compared to Ti-17. The alloy comprises, in weight %, 3.2 to 4.2 Al, 1.7 to 2.3 Sn, 2 to 2.6 Zr, 2.9 to 3.5 Cr, 2.3 to 2.9 Mo, 2 to 2.6 V, 0.25 to 0.75 Fe, 0.01 to 0.8 Si, 0.21 max. Oxygen and balance Ti and incidental impurities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing components with a high load capacity from ?+? TiAl alloys, especially for producing components for aircraft engines or stationary gas turbines. According to this method, enclosed TiAl blanks of globular structure are preformed by isothermal primary forming in the ?+?? or ? phase area. The preforms are then shaped out into components with a predeterminable contour by means of at least one isothermal secondary forming process, with dynamic recrystallization in the ?+?? or ? phase area. The microstructure is adjusted by solution annealing the components in the ? phase area and then cooling them off rapidly.

Abstract: A titanium alloy member is characterized in that it comprise 40% by weight or more titanium (Ti), a IVa group element and/or a Va group element other than the titanium, wherein a summed amount including the IVa group element and/or the Va group element as well as the titanium is 90% by weight or more, and one or more members made in an amount of from 0.2 to 2.0% by weight and selected from an interstitial element group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen and carbon, and that its basic structure is a body-centered tetragonal crystal or a body-centered cubic crystal in which a ratio (c/a) of a distance between atoms on the c-axis with respect to a distance between atoms on the a-axis falls in a range of from 0.9 to 1.1. This titanium alloy member has such working properties that conventional titanium alloys do not have, is flexible, exhibits a high strength, and can be utilized in a variety of products.

Abstract: A damage tolerant microstructure for a lamellar alloy, such as a lamellar ?TiAl alloy, is provided in accordance with the present invention. The alloy comprises a matrix and a plurality of grains or lamellar colonies, a portion of which exhibit a nonplanar morphology within said matrix. Each of the lamellar colonies contains a multitude of lamella with irregularly repeating order. The ?TiAl platelets have a triangular (octahedral) unit cell and stack with ? twins. The ?2Ti3Al platelets are irregularly interspersed. The unit cell for ?2Ti3Al is hexagonal. Each of the layers has a curved, nonplanar structure for resisting crack formation and growth.

Abstract: A sputtering target consists essentially of 0.1 to 50% by weight of at least one kind of element that forms an intermetallic compound with Al, and the balance of Al. The element that forms an intermetallic compound with Al is uniformly dispersed in the target texture, and in a mapping of EPMA analysis, a portion of which count number of detection sensitivity of the element is 22 or more is less than 60% by area ratio in a measurement area of 20×20 ?m. According to such a sputtering target, even when a sputtering method such as long throw sputtering or reflow sputtering is applied, giant dusts or large concavities can be suppressed in occurrence.

Abstract: A super-elastic titanium alloy for medical use consisting essentially of: a molybdenum (Mo) as a ? stabilizer element of titanium (Ti): from 2 to 12 at %; an ? stabilizer element of the titanium (Ti): from 0.1 to 14 at %; and the balance being titanium (Ti) and inevitable impurities. The ? stabilizer element is at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga) and germanium (Ge).

Abstract: A sheet, a plate, a bar or wire is made of Ti and has high ductility and low material anistropy in a plane of a sheet or plate, or in a sectional plane of a bar or a wire and contains Fe, in mass, at 0.15-0.5%, N at 0.015-0.041 and 0, with the balance Ti and unavoidable impurities. When the Fe content is defined as [Fe], the N content as [N] and the 0 content as [0], the oxygen equivalent value Q=[0]+2.77[N]+0.1 [Fe] is 0.11-0.28.

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: An amorphous alloy having a composition represented by the formula (Zr,Hf)a(Al,Zn)bTie,Nbf,TagYh(CuxFey(Ni,Co)z)d wherein a ranges from 45 to 65 atomic %, b ranges from 5 to 15 atomic %, e and f each ranges from 0 to 4.5 atomic %, g ranges from greater than 0 to 2 atomic %, h ranges from 0 to 0.5 atomic %, and the balance is d and incidental impurities and wherein e+f+g ranges from 3.5 to 7.5 atomic %, d times y is less than 10 atomic %, and x/z ranges from 0.5 to 2.

Abstract: The alloy contains, by weight, at least 95% zirconium and from 0.01 to 0.1% sulphur and, optionally, at least one element from the group consisting of the elements tin, iron, chromium, hafnium, niobium, nickel, oxygen and vanadium, the balance of the alloy consisting of inevitable impurities. The sulphur is present in the alloy in the dissolved state, thereby improving the creep strength and in the form of uniformly distributed fine precipitates, thereby improving the corrosion and hydriding resistance. The alloy may be heated by a solution annealing treatment in the ? phase followed by a quench or by a soak at a temperature below 950° C. in order to transform it into the ? or ?+? phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high strength ?+? titanium alloy pipe not requiring a large amount of cutting and enabling full use to be made of the features of titanium alloy of light weight and high strength and a method for production of the same. Specifically, a high strength ?+? titanium alloy pipe having an outside diameter of at least 150 mm and a wall thickness of at least 6 mm, the ?+? titanium alloy pipe characterized by having a welded seam running in the longitudinal direction of pipe at one location and by having a ratio of the minimum wall thickness to the maximum wall thickness of the portions excluding the weld zone of 0.95 to 0.99. Also, a method of production of a high strength ?+? titanium alloy pipe comprising cold forming a high strength ?+? titanium alloy plate of a wall thickness of at least 6 mm into a tubular shape by the U-O method or press-bending method and welding together the abutted plate edges.

Abstract: Titanium resistant to discoloration in an atmospheric environment characterized by having an average carbon concentration of 14 at % or less in a range to a depth of 100 nm from the surface and having an oxide film of a thickness of 12 to 40 nm at its surface. Titanium resistant to discoloration in an atmospheric environment characterized in that, in X-ray diffraction of its surface, a ratio (X1/X2) of a (200) peak intensity X1 of TiC to a (110) peak intensity X2 of titanium is not more than 0.18 and by having an oxide film of a thickness of 12 to 40 nm at its surface.

Abstract: The invention proposes a zirconium-based alloy also containing, by weight, apart from unavoidable impurities, from 0.02 to 1% of iron having from 0.8% to 2.3% of niobium, less than 2000 ppm of tin, less than 2000 ppm of oxygen, less than 100 ppm of carbon, from 5 to 35 ppm of sulphur and from 0.01% to 0.25% in total of chromium and/or vanadium, the ratio R of the niobium content, less 0.5%, to the iron content, optionally supplemented by the chromium and/or vanadium content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high-purity zirconium or hafnium with minimal impurities, particularly where the content of alkali metal elements such as Na, K; radioactive elements such as U, Th; transitional metals or heavy metals or high melting point metal elements such as Fe, Ni, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ta, V; and gas components such as C, O, etc. is extremely reduced, as well as to an inexpensive manufacturing method of such high-purity zirconium or hafnium, thereby reducing the impurities hindering the guarantee of the operational performance of semiconductors. The present invention further relates to an inexpensive and safe manufacturing method of high-purity zirconium or hafnium powder from hydrogenated high-purity zirconium or hafnium powder.

Abstract: Tableware of Ti or a Ti alloy having a surface hardened layer comprising a first hardened layer in which nitrogen and oxygen are diffused so as to form a solid solution and a second hardened layer which is formed in a region deeper than the first hardened layer. The substrate may have a hard decorative coating film. A substrate comprising Ti or a Ti alloy has on its surface an internal hardened layer comprising a first hardened layer and a second hardened layer, wherein the hard decorative coating film is formed on the surface of the internal hardened layer. The cutlery comprises a working part and a grip, the grip provided with a floating means such as a hollow part. Titanium tableware having excellent long-term mar resistance and high quality appearance, increasing the decorative value of the tableware. Further, a process for surface treatment to obtain the titanium tableware with high productivity and a substrate having a hard decorative coating film with excellent mar resistance and high surface hardness.

Abstract: An article is manufactured from a composition comprising about 8 to about 10 wt % molybdenum, about 2.8 to about 6 wt % aluminum, up to about 2 wt % chromium, up to about 2 wt % vanadium, up to about 4 wt % niobium, with the balance being titanium, wherein the weight percents are based on the total weight of the alloy composition. An article is manufactured by a method comprising forming a shape from a composition comprising about 8 to about 10 wt % molybdenum, about 2.8 to about 6 wt % aluminum, up to about 2 wt % chromium, up to about 2 wt % vanadium, up to about 4 wt % niobium, with the balance being titanium, wherein the weight percents are based on the total weight of the alloy composition; cold working the shape; and heat treating the shape.

Abstract: A method for absorbing and releasing hydrogen comprises applying repeatedly hydrogen pressurization and depressurization to a hydrogen storage metal alloy of a body-centered cubic structure-type phase exerting a two-stage or inclined plateau characteristic in a hydrogen storage amount vs hydrogen pressure relation in an appropriate fashion to absorb and release hydrogen. At least at one stage during the release of hydrogen, the temperature (T2) of the above-mentioned hydrogen storage metal alloy is made higher than the temperature (T1) of the hydrogen storage metal alloy during the hydrogen absorption process (T2>T1). This enables the release and utilization of occluded hydrogen at a low-pressure plateau region or an inclined plateau lower region.

Abstract: The invention provides a titanium alloy having a narrow distribution of material properties in the thickness direction, allowing easy to finish the surface of the forged material after forging, during working the product to the final shape. The forged titanium alloy has a low sensitivity for cracking, excellent workability, and favorable ductility and fatigue properties, and provides a method for forging the titanium alloy. In order to attain the forged titanium alloy and the method for forging thereof, forging the titanium alloy, which has T&bgr; ° C. of the &bgr;-transus, is conducted, while keeping the relation of 400° C.≦Td and (T&bgr;−400)° C.≦Tm≦T&bgr; at a strain rate of a range from 2×10−4 s−1 to 1 s−1, further limiting the chemical composition of the titanium alloy, keeping the relation of [(Tm−Td)≦250° C.] during forging, where T&bgr; (° C.) is the &bgr;-transus of the titanium alloy, Tm(° C.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming a material which comprises at least two elements. More specifically, the method comprises providing an electrolytic cell comprising a cathode, an anode, and an electrolytic solution extending between the cathode and anode. A metallic product is electrolytically formed within the electrolytic cell. The forming of the metallic product comprises primarily electrorefining of a first element of the at least two elements and primarily electrowinning of a second element of the at least two elements. The invention also includes a mixed metal product comprising at least two elements, such as a product comprising tantalum and titanium.

Abstract: An alpha-beta, titanium-base alloy with improved ductility at high strength levels compared to commercially available alloys, such as Ti-17. The alloy exhibits at least a 20% improvement in ductility at a given strength level compared to Ti-17. The alloy comprises, in weight %, 3.2 to 4.2 Al, 1.7 to 2.3 Sn, 2 to 2.6 Zr, 2.9 to 3.5 Cr, 2.3 to 2.9 Mo, 2 to 2.6 V, 0.25 to 0.75 Fe, 0.01 to 0.8 Si, 0.21 max. Oxygen and balance Ti and incidental impurities.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a metal matrix composite by the SHS technique comprises a reaction between titanium and carbon or between titanium and borium, forming titanium carbide or titanium diboride. Tantalum and molybdenum or chromium are blended to the raw materials of the metal matrix composite to improve the resistance of the metal matrix composite to high temperatures and/or corrosion. The invention also relates to a metal matrix composite which contains elements at whose presence a protective oxide layer is formed on the surface of the metal matrix composite during the use.

Abstract: A stranded wire having improved fatigue characteristics and made of a shape memory and/or superelastic material, such as Ni/Ti or alloys thereof. Further, the stranded wire may be coiled along the entire length of the wire or only a portion thereof to form one or more coil springs. The stranded and optionally coiled wire is heat treated to set the wire in the twisted configuration.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a stent with respect to which the occurrence of artifacts in nuclear spin tomography can be reduced or avoided. The subject invention also pertains to the etching of stents, incorporating titanium and/or titanium alloys, that have been processed with tools containing magnetizing components. The subject invention can also be useful for the control of in-stent-restenosis by allowing imaging under nuclear spin tomography to see in-stent-restenosis in the interior of the subject stent.

Abstract: A shaped part or article of manufacture is formed of a selected gamma titanium aluminide alloy with outstanding mechanical properties which can be produced particularly economically. First, a semi-finished article is formed in a hot forming process with a degree of deformation of greater than 65%. Then the semi-finished article is shaped with the alloy being in a solid-liquid phase by applying mechanical forming forces during at least part of the shaping process.

Abstract: The inventive titanium alloy comprises, expressed in mass %: aluminium 4.0-6.0; vanadium 4.5-5.0; molybdenum 4.5-5.0; chromium 2.0-3.6; ferrum 0.2-0.5; the rest being titanium. An equivalent molybdenum content is determined as corresponding to Moequiv.≧13.8. The total aluminum and zirconium content does not exceed 7.2. The inventive method for heat treatment consists in heating to t&bgr;<>&agr;+&bgr;−(30-70)° C., conditioning during 2-5 hrs. at that temperature, air or water cooling and age-hardening at a temperature ranging from 540° C. to 600° C. during 8-16 hrs. Said alloy has a high volumetric deformability and is used for manufacturing massive large-sized forged and pressed pieces having a high strength level, satisfactory characteristics of plasticity and fracture toughness.

Abstract: A pure titanium building material having high secular discoloration resistance is formed of pure titanium having an Fe content of 0.08% by mass or below, a Nb content of 0.02% by mass or below, and a Co content of 0.02% by mass or below.

Abstract: A damage tolerant microstructure for a lamellar alloy, such as a lamellar &ggr;TiAl alloy, is provided in accordance with the present invention. The alloy comprises a matrix and a plurality of grains or lamellar colonies, a portion of which exhibit a nonplanar morphology within said matrix. Each of the lamellar colonies contains a multitude of lamella with irregularly repeating order. The &ggr;TiAl platelets have a triangular (octahedral) unit cell and stack with &ggr; twins. The &agr;2Ti3Al platelets are irregularly interspersed. The unit cell for &agr;2Ti3Al is hexagonal. Each of the layers has a curved, nonplanar structure for resisting crack formation and growth.

Abstract: High strength alpha-beta alloy comprising essentially Al: 4.5-5.5%, V: 3.0-5.0%, Mo: 0.3-1.8%, Fe: 0.2-1.2%, oxygen 0.12-0.25% Ti: balance. All other incidental elements should be less than 0.1% for each element and less than 0.5% in total. The alloy possesses improved machinability and ballistic performance compared to Ti-6Al-4V.

Abstract: This present invention relates to an alloy comprising Sn, at least one of Ti and Zr and at least one of Nb and Ta as the major elements. The total percentage of the Nb and Ta in the alloy material is preferably from 8 to 20 atom % and the percentage of the Sn in the alloy material is preferably from 2 to 6 atom %. The alloy material is preferably Ni-free and has shape memory characteristics or superelasticity.

Abstract: A composition comprises about 8 to about 10 wt % molybdenum, about 2.8 to about 6 wt % aluminum, up to about 2 wt % vanadium, up to about 4 wt % niobium, with the balance being titanium, wherein the weight percents are based on the total weight of the alloy composition. A method for making an article comprises cold-working a shape from a composition comprising about 8 to about 10 wt % molybdenum, about 2.8 to about 6 wt % aluminum, up to about 2 wt % vanadium, up to about 4 wt % niobium, with the balance being titanium, wherein the weight percents are based on the total weight of the alloy composition; solution heat treating the shape; and cooling the shape.

Abstract: Quenching a work piece made of a titanium alloy having a temperature higher than 800° C. to a temperature lower than 500° C. at a cooling rate greater than 10° C./second between 800° C. and 500° C. is used to render the cooled work piece containing &agr;” phase as a major phase. The titanium alloy composition contains at least one isomorphous beta stabilizing element selected from Mo, Nb, Ta and W; and the balance Ti, wherein said composition has a Mo equivalent value from about 6 to about 9. The work piece is preferably a medical device.

Abstract: A Ti—Zr type alloy manifesting excellent plastic workability at normal temperature fit for the use in general industry, allowing improvement in corrosion resistance fit for the use in medical treatment, offering improved corrosion resistance in an acidic solution, particularly a HCl solution, and having flexibility as evinced by a low Young's modulus on a par with a bone; and a medical appliance such as a guide wire to be directly inserted into a blood vessel of a human body under the X-ray fluoroscopy and a stent retained in a human body for a long time, which are made of the Ti—Zr type alloy are provided. The Ti—Zr type alloy of the present invention consists of 25 to 50% by weight of Ti, 25 to 60% by weight of Zr, 5 to 30% by weight of Nb, and 5 to 40% by weight of Ta, provided that the weight ratio of Zr to Ti be in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 and the weight ratio of Nb to Ta be in the range of 0.125 to 1.5.

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 titanium sputtering target that contains a concentration of oxygen in an amount of 20 ppm or less and has a maximum grain diameter of 20 &mgr;m or less. The target permits a sputtering operation to be accomplished substantially free from the formation of particles or the occurrence of an abnormal discharge phenomenon. In addition, the target contains a reduced amount of contaminants and is soft.

Abstract: A biocompatible binary titanium-niobium (Ti—Nb) alloy having a low modulus and a high strength, and containing &agr;″ phase as a major phase is disclosed. The binary Ti—Nb alloy contains 10-30 wt % of Nb, preferably 13-28 wt % of Nb, and the balance titanium, which is suitable for making a medical implant such as an orthopedic implant or dental implant.

Abstract: A titanium alloy includes a nickel content controlled to a level sufficient to reduce incidence of strain induced porosity upon hot working the titanium alloy relative to incidence of strain induced porosity in a second alloy upon hot working, the second alloy comprising no greater than an impurities level of nickel and otherwise having an elemental composition identical to the titanium alloy.

Abstract: An oxidation resistant, high strength titanium alloy, particularly adapted for use in the manufacture of automotive exhaust system components and other applications requiring oxidation resistance and strength at elevated temperatures. The alloy comprises, in weight percent, iron less than 0.5, or 0.2 to less than 0.5% oxygen 0.02 to less than 0.15%, silicon 0.15 to 0.6%, and balance titanium. Optional alloying elements are Al, Nb, V, Mo, Sn, Zr, Ni, Cr and Ta, with a total content of less than 1.5.

Abstract: A shaped part or article of manufacture is formed of a selected gamma titanium aluminide alloy with outstanding mechanical properties which can be produced particularly economically. First, a semi-finished article is formed in a hot forming process with a degree of deformation of greater than 65%. Then the semi-finished article is shaped with the alloy being in a solid-liquid phase by applying mechanical forming forces during at least part of the shaping process.