Abstract: In a generation method according to one embodiment, a master curve of a relationship between an extent of reaction and a heat treatment condition is generated using a thermal analysis result of a member. Also, in the generation method, first data that is related to a first heat treatment condition of a relationship between time and temperature is generated using the first heat treatment condition and the master curve. Also, in the generation method, a second heat treatment condition of a relationship between time and temperature is calculated using the master curve and a target condition for heat treatment.

Abstract: According to one of various aspects of the present invention, a tungsten sputtering target has a purity of tungsten is 5 N (99.999% by weight) or more, and an impurity of carbon and an impurity of oxygen contained in tungsten are 50 ppm by weight or less, respectively, and an average grain size of tungsten crystal is more than 100 ?m.

Abstract: A negative electrode used in a nickel metal hydride secondary battery includes a negative electrode core body and a negative electrode mixture carried on the negative electrode core body. The negative electrode mixture includes hydrogen storage alloy powder which is an aggregate of hydrogen storage alloy particles, a binder, and a thickener. The hydrogen storage alloy particles have a volume mean particle size of 40 ?m or less and a concentration of chlorine of not less than 180 ppm to not more than 780 ppm.

Abstract: Zeolite membrane sheets for separation of mixtures containing water are provided, as well as methods for making the same. Thin, but robust, zeolite membrane sheets having an inter-grown zeolite crystal film directly on a thin, less than 200 micron thick, porous support sheet free of any surface pores with a size above 10 microns. The zeolite membrane film thickness is less than about 10 microns above the support surface and less than about 5 microns below the support surface. Methods of preparing the membrane are disclosed which include coating of the support sheet surface with a seed coating solution containing the parent zeolite crystals with mean particle sizes from about 0.5 to 2.0 microns at loading of 0.05-0.5 mg/cm2 and subsequent growth of the seeded sheet in a growth reactor loaded with a growth solution over a temperature range of about 45° C. to about 120° C.

Abstract: A Ni—Cr alloy material has a chemical composition that consists of; Si: 0.01 to 0.5%, Mn: 0.01 to less than 1.0%, Cu: 0.01 to less than 1.0%, Ni: 48 to less than 55%, Cr: 22 to 28%, Mo: 5.6 to less than 7.0%, N: 0.04 to 0.16%, sol.Al: 0.03 to 0.20%, REM: 0.01 to 0.074%, W: 0% or more and less than 8.0%, Co: 0 to 2.0%; one or more of Ca and Mg: 0.0003 to 0.01% in total, and one or more of Ti, Nb, Zr, and V: 0 to 0.5% in total, the balance thereof being Fe and impurities. The impurities include C £ 0.03%, P £ 0.03%, S £ 0.001%, and O £ 0.01%. The dislocation density r of the Ni—Cr alloy material expressed in m?2 satisfies a formula [7.0?1015£r£2.7?1016?2.67?1017?REM].

Abstract: An airfoil includes an airfoil body that extends at least between leading and trailing edges, first and second sides, and radially inner and outer ends. The airfoil body includes an aluminum alloy that has a controlled crystallographic texture with respect to a predefined three-dimensional coordinate system. The airfoil can be used in the fan of a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: In a device for separating a longitudinally-extended cylindrical workpiece, which has a diameter in the sub-millimeter range, into individual segments, the workpiece is guided in a clamping device. The clamping device includes a first and a second clamping jaw and a feed opening for the workpiece. The feed opening is fitted between the clamping jaws on the side facing the other clamping jaw and a longitudinal groove which defines a direction of advancement of the workpiece for receiving and guiding the workpiece between the clamping jaws. The clamping device has a passage for a laser beam and a cutting gas, which passage defines a working zone, disrupts the longitudinal groove and runs parallel thereto. A cutter head is arranged in the working zone and has an outlet opening for the laser beam and the cutting gas, which outlet opening is aligned with the passage.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to Ni-inclusive ternary alloy being provided as a barrier layer for protecting an IR reflecting layer comprising silver or the like. The provision of a barrier layer comprising nickel, chromium, and/or molybdenum and/or oxides thereof may improve corrosion resistance, as well as chemical and mechanical durability. In certain examples, more than one barrier layer may be used on at least one side of the layer comprising silver. In still further examples, a NixCryMoz-based layer may be used as the functional layer, rather than or in addition to as a barrier layer, in a coating.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to Ni-inclusive ternary alloy being provided as a barrier layer for protecting an IR reflecting layer comprising silver or the like. The provision of a barrier layer comprising nickel, chromium, and/or molybdenum and/or oxides thereof may improve corrosion resistance, as well as chemical and mechanical durability. In certain examples, more than one barrier layer may be used on at least one side of the layer comprising silver. In still further examples, a NixCryMoz-based layer may be used as the functional layer, rather than or in addition to as a barrier layer, in a coating.

Abstract: A first joining object and a second joining object are joined to each other using an insert material. The first joining object and/or the second joining object has a first metal composed of Sn or an alloy containing Sn. The insert material contains, as a main component, a second metal which is an alloy containing at least one selected from among Ni, Mn, Al and Cr, and Cu, and is located between the first joining object and the second joining object. When subjected to heat treatment to produce an intermetallic compound of the first metal and the second metal, the first joining object and the second joining object are joined to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed are a braze, such as a braze in the form of an amorphous, ductile brazing foil, having a composition consisting essentially of FeaNirestSibBcMd with 5 atomic percent?a?35 atomic percent, 1 atomic percent?b?15 atomic percent, 5 atomic percent<c?15 atomic percent, 0?d?4 atomic percent, rest Ni and incidental impurities, wherein M is one or more of the elements Co, Cr, Mn, Nb, Mo, Ta, Cu, Ag, Pd or C, and having a liquidus temperature TL?1025° C. Also disclosed are apparatus containing parts joined by said braze, methods for using said braze, and methods for making said amorphous, ductile brazing foil.

Abstract: A method of making dispersion-strengthened alloy particles involves melting an alloy having a corrosion and/or oxidation resistance-imparting alloying element, a dispersoid-forming element, and a matrix metal wherein the dispersoid-forming element exhibits a greater tendency to react with a reactive species acquired from an atomizing gas than does the alloying element. The melted alloy is atomized with the atomizing gas including the reactive species to form atomized particles so that the reactive species is (a) dissolved in solid solution to a depth below the surface of atomized particles and/or (b) reacted with the dispersoid-forming element to form dispersoids in the atomized particles to a depth below the surface of said atomized particles. Bodies made from the dispersion strengthened solidified particles exhibit enhanced fatigue and creep resistance and reduced wear as well as enhanced corrosion and/or oxidation resistance at high temperatures.

Abstract: Fatigue damage resistant metal or metal alloy wires have a submicron-scale or nanograin microstructure that demonstrates improved fatigue damage resistance properties, and methods for manufacturing such wires. The present method may be used to form a wire having a nanograin microstructure characterized by a mean grain size that is 500 nm or less, in which the wire demonstrates improved fatigue damage resistance. Wire manufactured in accordance with the present process may show improvement in one or more other material properties, such as ultimate strength, unloading plateau strength, permanent set, ductility, and recoverable strain, for example. Wire manufactured in accordance with the present process is suitable for use in a medical device, or other high end application.

Abstract: A metal structure includes, by mass %, Fe: 10% to 30%; S: 0.005% to 0.2%; and the balance consisting of Ni and unavoidable impurities, in which a maximum grain size of the metal structure is 500 nm or less.

Abstract: Guide wire devices and other intra-corporal medical devices fabricated from a Ni—Ti—Nb alloy and methods for their manufacture. The Ni—Ti alloy includes nickel, titanium, and niobium either up to its solubility limit in Ni—Ti, or in amounts over 15 atomic percent so as to provide a dual phase alloy. In either case, the Ni—Ti—Nb alloy provides increased stiffness to provide better torque response, steerability, stent scaffolding strength, and similar properties associated with increased stiffness, while still providing super-elastic or linear pseudo-elastic properties.

Abstract: A radiopaque alloy based on titanium nickelide and having shape memory and superelastic properties includes, according to one embodiment, at least one radiopaque alloying element selected from among gold, platinum, and palladium at a concentration of from about 10 at. % to about 20 at. %, and at least one additional alloying element selected from among aluminum, chromium, cobalt, iron, and zirconium, where the additional alloying element has a concentration of from about 0.5 at. % to about 4 at. %. The alloy includes titanium at a concentration of from about 48 at. % to about 52 at. %, and the balance of the alloy is nickel. The radiopaque alloy preferably exhibits superelastic behavior suitable for medical device applications in the human body.

Abstract: Articles made of shape memory alloys having improved fatigue performance and to methods of treating articles formed from shape memory alloy materials by pre-straining the articles (or desired portions of the articles) in a controlled manner so that the resultant articles exhibit improved fatigue performance. The shape memory articles are preferably medical devices, more preferably implantable medical devices. They are most preferably devices of nitinol shape memory alloy, most particularly that is superelastic at normal body temperature. The pre-straining method of the present invention as performed on such articles includes the controlled introduction of non-recoverable tensile strains greater than about 0.20% at the surface of a desired portion of a shape memory alloy article. Controlled pre-straining operations are performed on the shape-set nitinol metal to achieve non-recoverable tensile strain greater than about 0.20% at or near the surface of selected regions in the nitinol metal article.

Abstract: Metallic dental prostheses made of bulk-solidifying amorphous alloys wherein the dental prosthesis has an elastic strain limit of around 1.2% or more and methods of making such metallic dental prostheses are provided.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant waste-water disposal or chemical injection screen is fabricated from extruded, double cold pilgered N06625 or N07716 nickel alloy in a standard oilfield tubular length. After providing each end with a premium thread for a box and a pin end, and slotting the body of the well screen with slits no wider than 0.015 inches and no longer than 2.5 inches, the well screen is ready for deployment in a well. Other types of oilfield tubulars in standard OCTG lengths could be fabricated in the manner described herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat-resistant bearing characterized in that it is formed of an Ni3(Si,Ti)-based intermetallic compound alloy, the Ni3(Si,Ti)-based intermetallic compound alloy containing 25 to 500 ppm by weight of B with respect to a weight of an intermetallic compound having a composition of 100% by atom in total consisting of 10.0 to 12.0% by atom of Si, 1.5% by atom or more but less than 7.5% by atom of Ti, more than 2.0% by atom but 8.0% by atom or less of Ta and a balance made up of Ni excepting impurities, the Ni3(Si,Ti)-based intermetallic compound alloy having a microstructure composed of an L12 phase and of one or both of an Ni solid solution phase and a second phase dispersion containing Ni and Ta, or a microstructure composed of an L12 phase.

Abstract: A method for heat treating a nickel base alloy includes the steps of: a. heating a nickel base alloy to at least its delta (?) phase solvus temperature, and lower than its incipient melting temperature for a predetermined time sufficient to dissolve substantially all of the nickel base alloy's delta (?) phase, and b. cooling the nickel base alloy to a temperature below the gamma prime (?) precipitation temperature at a rate sufficient to precipitate the alloy's chromium carbide and gamma prime (?) in a serrated grain boundary.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy with at least two phases containing La, Ni, and Y or a heavy rare earth element, including a first phase having a composition represented by the general formula R1aR2bR3cNidR4e (wherein R1 is at least one element essentially containing La, R2 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Y and a heavy rare earth element, R3 is Ca and/or Mg, R4 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Co, Mn and Al, and a, b, c, d and e are numerical values that satisfy the numerical expressions a+b+c=1, 0?b?0.3, 0?c?0.4, 3.0<d+e<4.0, and 0?e?1) and a second phase having a higher concentration of Y or a heavy rare earth element than that of the first phase, and is dispersed in the first phase.

Abstract: Briefly, in one embodiment, a method is disclosed. The method includes introducing a powder feedstock into a cold-spray apparatus, and operating the cold-spray apparatus to deposit the feedstock. The feedstock includes particles including nickel-base alloy having a thermally altered microstructure.

Abstract: A nickel-based semi-finished product, for making a high-temperature superconductor, embodied in the form of a strip or flat wire is produced and used as a base for physical-chemical coatings provided with a high-quality intense microstructural orientation. The semi-finished product has an improved granular structure provided with a stable cube texture. A fusion or powder metallurgy process including mechanical alloys makes a semi-finished product including a technically pure Ni or Ni alloy containing an Ag additive in a specified microalloy range. The product is shaped as a strip or flat wire by hot- and cold forming processes with a thickness reduction >50% The product is softened by annealing at 500 to 850° C. and is subsequently quenched. Afterwards, the product is exposed to the 80% cold shaping. A recrystallization annealing treatment is carried out to obtain an entire cubic texture.

Abstract: Ni-Ti (nickel-titanium) based alloys. and related semi-finished products and methods are described, where the nickel content is comprised between 50.7 and 52.0 atomic % .

Abstract: Wire products, such as round and flat wire, strands, cables, and tubing, are made from a shape memory material in which inherent defects within the material are isolated from the bulk material phase of the material within one or more stabilized material phases, such that the wire product demonstrates improved fatigue resistance. In one application, a method of mechanical conditioning in accordance with the present disclosure isolates inherent defects in nickel-titanium or NiTi materials in fields of a secondary material phase that are resistant to crack initiation and/or propagation, such as a martensite phase, while the remainder of the surrounding defect-free material remains in a primary or parent material phase, such as an austenite phase, whereby the overall superelastic nature of the material is preserved.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a Ni base alloy solid wire for welding, which has excellent cracking resistance to ductility dip cracking in weld metal, can increase the tensile strength of the weld metal to not less than the tensile strength of the base material, and has excellent weldability. The present invention provides a solid wire which has a composition containing Cr: 27.0 to 31.5 mass %, Ti: 0.50 to 0.90 mass %, Nb: 0.40 to 0.70 mass %, Ta: 0.10 to 0.30 mass %, C: 0.010 to 0.030 mass %, and Fe: 5.0 to 11.0 mass %, and is regulated to Al: 0.10 mass % or less, N: 0.020 mass % or less, Zr 0.005 mass % or less, P:0.010 mass % or less, S: 0.0050 mass % or less, Si: 0.50 mass % or less, and Mn: 1.00 mass % or less, with the balance including Ni and inevitable impurities.

Abstract: Provided is a hydrogen storage alloy which is characterized in that two or more crystal phases having different crystal structures are layered in a c-axis direction of the crystal structures. The hydrogen storage alloy is further characterized in that a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of a lattice constant a in the crystal structures of the laminated two or more crystal phases is 0.03 ? or less.

Abstract: An alloy including: about 10 at % to about 30 at % of a Pt-group metal; less than about 23 at % Al; about 0.5 at % to about 2 at % of at least one reactive element selected from Hf, Y, La, Ce and Zr, and combinations thereof; a superalloy substrate constituent selected from the group consisting of Cr, Co, Mo, Ta, Re and combinations thereof; and Ni; wherein the Pt-group metal, Al, the reactive element and the superalloy substrate constituent are present in the alloy in a concentration to the extent that the alloy has a solely ??-Ni3Al phase constitution.

Abstract: An alloy disc includes a hub portion, a rim portion and a web portion disposed between the hub portion and the rim portion. The disc includes a fine grain structure substantially in a first region of the disc and a coarse grain structure substantially in a second region of the disc. The fine grain structure may be in the hub portion of the disc, and the coarse grain structure may be in the rim portion of the disc. The coarse grain structure may extend a greater distance radially inwardly from the rim portion into the web portion on the first axial end of the disc than on the second axial end of the disc. The fine grain structure may extend a greater distance radially outwardly from the hub portion into the web portion on the second axial end of the disc than on the first axial end of the disc.

Abstract: A method of improving the properties of a component of a medical device entails constraining the component, which comprises about 45-55 at. % Ni, about 45-55 at. % Ti, and about 0.3 at. % Cr, into a predetermined configuration. The component also includes at least about 35% cold work. The component is heated during the constraining at a temperature of between about 425° C. and about 500° C. for a time duration of between about 5 minutes and about 30 minutes, thereby improving the superelastic and mechanical properties of the component. A medical device includes a superelastic component for use in a body vessel that comprises about 45-55 at. % Ni, about 45-55 at. % Ti, and about 0.3 at. % Cr, where the component has an upper plateau strength of at least about 75 ksi, a residual elongation of about 0.1% or less, and an austenite finish temperature (Af) of about 30° C. or less.

Abstract: Nickel-iron-zinc alloy nanoparticles of the present invention are in the form of tabular particles having a thickness of 1 ?m or less and an aspect ratio of 2 or more, wherein the (220) plane which is the crystal plane of the face-centered cubic lattice is oriented on the tabular surface of the particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen absorbing alloy containing a phase of a Pr5Co19 type crystal structure having a composition defined by a general formula A(4?w)B(1+w)C19 (A denotes one or more element(s) selected from rare earth elements including Y (yttrium); B denotes an Mg element; C denotes one or more element(s) selected from a group consisting of Ni, Co, Mn, and Al; and w denotes a numeral in a range from ?0.1 to 0.8) and having a composition as a whole defined by a general formula R1xR2yR3z (15.8?x?17.8, 3.4?y?5.0, 78.8?z?79.6, and x+y+z=100; R1 denotes one or more element(s) selected from rare earth elements including Y (yttrium); R2 denotes an Mg element, R3 denotes one or more element(s) selected from a group consisting of Ni, Co, Mn, and Al; the numeral of Mn+Al in the z is 0.5 or higher; and the numeral of Al in the z is 4.1 or lower).

Abstract: The present invention provides a structural material having enhanced ductility characteristics at high temperatures and enhanced strength characteristics. The present invention provides an Ni3(Si, Ti)-based intermetallic compound characterized by containing from 25 to 500 ppm by weight of B with respect to a weight of an intermetallic compound having a composition of 100% by atom in total consisting of Ni as a main component, from 7.5 to 12.5% by atom of Si, from 4.5 to 11.5% by atom of Ti and from 0.5 to 5.0% by atom of W.

Abstract: A method of welding alloys having directionally-solidified grain structure. The methods improve the weldability of these alloys by creating a localized region of fine grain structure, wherein the welding occurs in these localized regions. The localized regions are formed by applying strain energy using a variety of different methods, such as by hammer peening, laser peening or sand blasting. Then, a heat treatment step may be used to create recrystallized grains having the fine grain structure. The region of fine grain structure provides better weldability.

Abstract: Semi-finished products for the production of devices containing thermoelastic materials with improved reliability and reproducibility are described. The semi-finished products are based on an alloy of Ni—Ti plus elements X and/or Y. The nickel amount is comprised between 40 and 52 atom %, X is comprised between 0.1 and 1 atom %, Y is comprised between 1 and 10 atom % and the balance is titanium. The one or more additional elements X are chosen from Al, Ta, Hf, Si, Ca, Ce, La, Re, Nb, V, W, Y, Zr, Mo, and B. The one or more additional elements Y are chosen from Al, Ag, Au, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, Nb, Pd, Pt, Ta and W.

Abstract: Provided are a nickel alloy sputtering target, and a nickel silicide film formed with such a target, enabling the formation of a thermally stable silicide (NiSi) film, scarcely causing the aggregation of films or excessive formation of silicides, having low generation of particles upon forming the sputtered film, having favorable uniformity and superior plastic workability to the target, and which is particularly effective for the manufacture of a gate electrode material (thin film). This nickel alloy sputtering target contains 22 to 46 wt % of platinum and 5 to 100 wtppm of one or more components selected from iridium, palladium, and ruthenium, and remainder is nickel and inevitable impurities.

Abstract: A method for heat treating a nickel base alloy includes the steps of: a. heating a nickel base alloy to at least its delta (?) phase solvus temperature, and lower than its incipient melting temperature for a predetermined time sufficient to dissolve,substantially all of the nickel base alloy's delta (?) phase, and b. cooling the nickel base alloy to a temperature below the gamma prime (?) precipitation temperature at a rate sufficient to precipitate the alloy's chromium carbide and gamma prime (?) in a serrated grain boundary.

Abstract: A method of heat treating a superalloy component includes solution heat treating the component at a temperature below the gamma prime solvus temperature to produce a fine grain structure. Insulation is placed over a first area to form an insulated assembly that is placed in a furnace at a temperature below the solvus temperature and maintained at that temperature for a predetermined time to achieve a uniform temperature. The temperature is increased at a predetermined rate to a temperature above the solvus temperature to maintain a fine grain structure in a first region, produce a coarse grain structure in a second region and produce a transitional structure in a third region between the first and second regions. The insulated assembly is removed from the furnace when the second region has been above the solvus temperature for a predetermined time and/or the first region has reached a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A corrosion resistant waste-water disposal or chemical injection screen is fabricated from extruded, double cold pilgered N06625 or N07716 nickel alloy in a standard oilfield tubular length. After providing each end with a premium thread for a box and a pin end, and slotting the body of the well screen with slits no wider than 0.015 inches and no longer than 2.5 inches, the well screen is ready for deployment in a well. Other types of oilfield tubulars in standard OCTG lengths could be fabricated in the manner described herein.

Abstract: There are provided a nickel powder or an alloy powder comprising nickel as a main component, in which the nickel powder or the alloy powder has an average particle size D50 of 30 to 300 nm, a diffraction peak from the (111) plane of the nickel powder or the alloy powder measured by an X-ray diffraction method has a half width of 0.5° or less, and the ratio of a specific surface area A measured by a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method to the theoretical value B of a specific surface area corresponding to the average particle size D50 of the nickel powder or the alloy powder is 3 or less, and a method for producing the nickel powder or the alloy powder. Furthermore, there are provided a conductive paste that contains an organic vehicle and the nickel powder or the alloy powder comprising nickel as a main component, the organic vehicle and the nickel powder or the alloy powder serving as main components, and a laminated ceramic capacitor that includes an internal electrode layer made from the conductive paste.

Abstract: A wear resistant device includes a substrate of a first metallic material and a wear resistant layer disposed on a substrate. The wear resistant layer includes a matrix of a second, different metallic material, particulates dispersed throughout the matrix, and a boron material dispersed within a portion of the matrix.

Abstract: A warm-rolled, annealed, polycrystalline, cube-textured, {100}<100>, FCC-based alloy substrate is characterized by a yield strength greater than 200 MPa and a biaxial texture characterized by a FWHM of less than 15° in all directions.

Abstract: A metastable, peritectic alloy contains nickel in addition to tantalum and, optionally, niobium and/or tungsten. The alloy typically contains between from about 60 to 70 weight percent nickel and between from about 30 to 40 weight percent tantalum. The alloy may be prepared by melting the nickel and tantalum and/or a tantalum-nickel alloy under an inert gas or under a vacuum to a temperature of approximately 1475° C. to about 1550° C. The molten metal is then poured through a ceramic nozzle fitted with gas jets to atomize the molten stream into small droplets. The metastable characteristics of the corrosion resistant alloy are attained due to the rapid solidification of the molten alloy during the atomization process. The metastable alloy may further be used as cermet binder wherein another metal or interstitial alloy is incorporated by communition and/or blending into the alloy.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a shape memory and/or super-elastic material, such as a nickel titanium alloy. Additionally or alternatively, the present invention relates to a super-elastic or pseudo-elastic material that has an initial transition temperature Af above a body temperature. The shape memory material can have a super-elasticity or pseudo-elasticity property at a temperature below the initial transition temperature Af of the material. For example, the shape memory material can have its workable temperature for producing super-elasticity or pseudo-elasticity of about 0° C. to 15° C. below the initial transition temperature Af. The shape memory material can be malleable at a room temperature, and become super-elastic or pseudo-elastic at a body temperature. In addition, the present invention relates to a method of making a shape memory or a super-elastic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the internal gettering of impurities in semiconductors by metal alloy clusters. In particular, intermetallic clusters are formed within silicon, such clusters containing two or more transition metal species. Such clusters have melting temperatures below that of the host material and are shown to be particularly effective in gettering impurities within the silicon and collecting them into isolated, less harmful locations. Novel compositions for some of the metal alloy clusters are also described.

Abstract: Provided is high purity nickel or nickel alloy target for magnetron sputtering having superior sputtering film uniformity and in which the magnetic permeability of the target is 100 or more, and this high purity nickel or a nickel alloy target for magnetron sputtering capable of achieving a favorable film uniformity (evenness of film thickness) and superior in plasma ignition (firing) even during the manufacturing process employing a 300 mm wafer. The present invention also provides the manufacturing method of such high purity nickel or nickel alloy target.

Abstract: Provided is a copper alloy sputtering target containing 0.01 to (less than) 0.5 wt % of at least 1 element selected from Al or Sn, and containing Mn or Si in a total amount of 0.25 wtppm or less. The above copper alloy sputtering target allows the formation of a wiring material for a semiconductor element, in particular, a seed layer being stable, uniform and free from the occurrence of coagulation during electrolytic copper plating and exhibits excellent sputtering film formation characteristics. A semiconductor element wiring formed with this target is also provided.

Abstract: A method for laser shock peening an article, such as a gas turbine engine airfoil, with varying thickness by varying a surface fluence of a laser beam over a laser shock peening surface as a function of the thickness beneath a laser shock peened spot formed by the beam on the surface. The fluence may be equal to the thickness multiplied by a volumetric fluence factor, the volumetric fluence factor being held constant over the laser shock peening surface. The volumetric fluence factor may be in a range of about 1200 J/cm3 to 1800 J/cm3 and more particularly about 1500 J/cm3. The method may include varying energy in the laser beam using a computer program controlling firing of the laser beam. A device such as an optical attenuator external to a laser performing firing may be used to vary the energy.

Abstract: A device capable of capturing and facilitating the removal of a thrombus in blood vessels (or stones in biliary or urinary ducts, or foreign bodies) uses a soft coil mesh with the aid of a pull wire or string to engage the surface of a thrombus, and remove the captured thrombus. The soft coil mesh is formed by an elongated microcoil element that forms the helical elements of a macrocoil element. The microcoil element provides a relatively elastic effect to the helical elements forming the macrocoil and allows for control of gripping forces on the thrombus while reducing non-rigid contact of the device with arterial walls. The use of multiple coil mesh elements, delivered through a single lumen or multiple lumens, preferably with separate control of at least one end of each coil, provides a firm grasp on a distal side of a thrombus, assisting in non-disruptive or minimally disrupted removal of the thrombus upon withdrawal of the device.