Abstract: A sonar survey system and method excites reflectors using a broadband message that excites all frequencies within the band providing for selection and evaluation of frequencies of interest after the survey is completed.

Abstract: A metallic material that includes a foundation material; and a surface layer formed on a surface of the foundation material and exposed on an outermost surface, wherein the surface layer contains a precious metal element made of at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Ag, Au, and a platinum group element, and In, and a connection terminal being made of the metallic material, wherein the surface layer is formed on a surface of the foundation material, at least in a contact portion electrically contacting an opposite electrically conductive member.

Abstract: In some examples, a feedthrough assembly a ferrule including a base portion and at least one projection extending from the base portion; a capacitive filter positioned adjacent the base portion of the ferrule such that an outer wall of the capacitive filter faces an inner wall of the at least one projection of the ferrule; a conductive pin extending through an aperture in the ferrule and an aperture in the capacitive filter; and an electrically conductive material between the inner wall of the at least one projection of the ferrule and outer wall of the capacitive filter that electrically couples the ferrule and the capacitive filter to ground the capacitive filter, wherein the inner wall of the at least one projection of the ferrule and the outer wall of the capacitive filter are tapered.

Abstract: A survey system including a multibeam echo sounder having a single projector array and a single hydrophone array constructs a multi-signal message and deconstructs a corresponding multi-signal echo to substantially simultaneously perform multiple survey missions.

Abstract: A sonar survey system and method excites reflectors using a broadband message that excites all frequencies within the band providing for selection and evaluation of frequencies of interest after the survey is completed.

Abstract: Planar or tubular sputtering targets made of a silver base alloy and at least one further alloy component selected from indium, tin, antimony, and bismuth accounting jointly for a weight fraction of 0.01 to 5.0% by weight are known. However, moving on to ever larger targets, spark discharges are evident and often lead to losses especially in the production of large and high-resolution displays having comparatively small pixels. For producing a sputtering target with a large surface area on the basis of a silver alloy of this type, which has a surface area of more than 0.3 m2 as a planar sputtering target and has a length of at least 1.0 m as a tubular sputtering target, and in which the danger of spark discharges is reduced and thus a sputtering process with comparatively high power density is made feasible, the invention proposes that the silver base alloy has a crystalline structure with a mean grain size of less than 120 ?m, an oxygen content of less than 50 wt.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a Ag—Pd—Cu—Ge type silver alloy which can form a reflective electrode film having such two characteristics that it is very reduced in the lowering of reflectance caused by thermal deterioration and has resistant to yellowing caused by sulfurization even after a heating step in a process of producing a color liquid crystal display. The silver alloy according to the present invention includes a composition containing at least four elements including Ag as its major component, 0.10 to 2.89 wt % of Pd, 0.10 to 2.89 wt % of Cu and 0.01 to 1.50 wt % of Ge, and the total amount of Pd, Cu and Ge is 0.21 to 3.00 wt %.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electric contact material in which a surface layer portion of an alloy containing 1 to 15 mass % of Cu, 0.01 to 0.7 mass % of Ni, and the remainder of Ag and unavoidable impurities is supplied with an amount of oxygen exceeding the amount of oxygen required for internal oxidation of Cu to form an oxygen concentrated layer.

Abstract: The present invention is a silver alloy suitable for use in a probe pin made of an Ag-Cu alloy, wherein the silver alloy comprises 30 to 50% by weight of Cu and Ag as balance. This silver alloy further comprises 2 to 10% by weight of Ni to further improve strength. A probe pin made of these materials has stable contact resistance even under low contact pressure. The probe pin has excellent strength and antifouling property to adhesion of a foreign matter from a contact object due to repetitive use. Thereby, the probe pin usable in a stable manner for a long period of time can be obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical contact having high electrical conductivity for a compact electromagnetic relay including an internally oxidized silver-oxide material which is prepared by subjecting an Ag alloy having a composition consisting essentially of, by weight, 5.1 to 9% Sn, 1.5 to 5% In, and 0.005 to 0.06% Bi, with the balance being Ag and unavoidable impurities, to an internal oxidation treatment and then subjecting to a heat treatment for diffusion, aggregation, and growth of precipitated oxides, wherein the internally oxidized silver-oxide material has a metallographic structure such that coarse grains of composite oxides are dispersed and distributed in an Ag matrix, the coarse grains of composite oxides being formed as a result of coarsening of ultra-fine grains of Sn-based oxides and ultra-fine grains of In-based oxides, which are precipitated by the internal oxidation treatment, by the heat treatment for diffusion, aggregation, and growth of the precipitated oxides.

Abstract: Alloys of silver and an alloying element that diffuses to the surface of the high conductivity metal and is oxidizable to form an alloying element oxide such as beryllium are provided along with electronic structures employing the alloys and methods of fabrication.

Abstract: A sterling silver alloy composition of exceptional and reversible hardness and enhanced tarnish resistance, consists essentially of the following parts by weight: at least about 92.5% silver; about 4.4% to about 5.25% copper; about 0% to about 1.0% zinc; about 0.85% tin; about 0.05% to about 0.3% lithium; about 0.05% to about 0.5% silicon; about 0% to about 1.2% germanium; and about 0% to about 0.02% boron.

Abstract: Alloys of silver and an alloying element that diffuses to the surface of the high conductivity metal and is oxidizable to form an alloying element oxide such as beryllium are provided along with electronic structures employing the alloys and methods of fabrication.

Abstract: Although an Ag—CdO-based material has excellent electric properties such as deposition resistance, arc resistance and low contact resistance, which are required for an electric contact, the discharge standard provision in Japan, EC Directive on Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and the like have been directed toward disuse of Cd, as already known. Thus, the present invention is characterized in that after an atmosphere in a pressured oxidation furnace is replaced with oxygen, the temperature of an internal-oxidative Ag alloy prepared under a condition of a cold roll rate of 50 to 95% is gradually raised from a temperature of 200° C. or less in a pressured oxygen atmosphere with an oxygen pressure of 5 to 50 kg/cm2 and internal oxidation processing is performed with an upper limit temperature of 700° C.

Abstract: A silver-platinum alloy formulated to provide improved tarnish resistance and hardness as compared to sterling silver. The alloy can be incorporated in various jewelry, flatware, and like articles. The alloy generally includes silver and platinum, with silver being the predominant component. In certain applications, the alloy includes about 90–95.5% silver and about 0.5–6% platinum. A small amount of gallium can also be added to the composition to provide ease of manufacture of the alloy. The resulting alloy has the favorable properties afforded by sterling silver, but also has brighter surface finish, greater tarnish resistance and increased hardness as compared to traditional sterling silver.

Abstract: The invention includes a physical vapor deposition target composed of a face centered cubic unit cell metal or alloy and having a uniform grain size less than 30 microns, preferably less than 1 micron; and a uniform axial or planar <220> texture. Also described is a method for making sputtering targets. The method can comprise billet preparation; equal channel angular extrusion with a prescribed route and number of passes; and cross-rolling or forging subsequent to the equal channel angular extrusion.

Abstract: A silver alloy with color fastness includes silver as major component; and a small quantity of copper, zinc and nickel so that it can be prevented to oxidize, and it can use metal with easy procurement without special metal and manufacture a alloy with color fastness.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a metal strip for epitaxial coating with a biaxially textured layer, this metal strip, however, being able to be produced in an uncomplicated manner and having a high tensile strength, low magnetic losses and/or a high electrical conductivity. According to the invention, the metal strip is comprised of Nj, Cu, Ag or alloys thereof all serving as basic material, whereby the one-layer metal strip and, in the instance of a multilayer metal strip, at least one of its layers contains 10 nm to 5 ?m large, strength-increasing dispersoids comprised of carbides, borides, oxides and/or nitrides with a volume proportion ranging from 0.1 to 5%. In the instance of a multilayer metal strip, the layers form a composite, and at least one of the layers does not contain any dispersoids and has a biaxial texture. For the production, a starting material is used, which is comprised of Ni, Cu, Ag or of alloys thereof all serving as basic material and which contains 0.

Abstract: A high strength, tarnish resistant composition of matter includes approximately 90 percent Ag, 3 to 5 percent Pt and 7 to 5 percent Cu. In a preferred embodiment, the composition of matter includes 90 percent Ag, 3 percent Pt and 7 percent Cu. In another preferred embodiment, the composition of matter includes 90 percent Ag, 5 percent Pt and 5 percent Cu.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electric contact material useful in the fabrication of a vehicle relay of high durability against inductive load to which the relay incorporated in a magnetic clutch of a vehicle air-conditioner is exposed, and also to a relay having remarkable durability as has never been attained for use in vehicles. The invention provides an electric contact material useful in the fabrication of a relay for use in a vehicle, wherein the material contains an Ag—SnO2—In2O3 alloy which is produced through internal oxidation of an Ag—Sn—In—Ni alloy containing 5.0-10 wt. % (as reduced to metal) Sn and 2.0-5.0 wt. % In, the balance being Ag {or alternatively, an Ag—SnO2—In2O3—NiO alloy which is produced through internal oxidation of an Ag—Sn—In—Ni alloy containing 5.0-10 wt. % (as reduced to metal) Sn, 2.0-5.0 wt. % In, and 0.01-0.50 wt. % Ni, the balance being Ag}, and is used in a shielded space.

Abstract: This invention provides a auxiliary material for use with a superconductive material, which auxiliary material is characterized in that MgO alone or MgO and NiO are dispersed in Ag material by internal oxidation. Here, it is preferred that a weight ratio of Ag and MgO or a weight ratio of Ag, MgO and NiO is such that MgO is 0.03 to 3.3 wt % and a balance is Ag. Alternatively, Mgo is 0.01 to 1.7 wt %, NiO is 0.02 to 1.3 wt % and a balance is Ag. The auxiliary material of the present invention is manufactured by a process in which after a base material consisting of either and Ag—Mg composition or an Ag—Mg—Ni composition has been dissolved and cast, the base material, when in a process of being formed into a predetermined thickness, is subjected to an internal oxidation which is carried out at a temperature of 650 to 850° C. and continued for 20 to 80 hours in an oxygen atmosphere having a pressure of 3 to 10 atm, followed by being further processed.

Abstract: A make-and-break contact material which is less worn out and is able to achieve an increased life compared to a conventional material of Ag—CdO-based alloy, in an AC general relay used for a resistive load of about 1 to 20A in a range of AC 100V to 250V. In the present invention, the make-and-break contact material of Ag—Ni-based alloy used for a switching part performing electrical switching through mechanical switching operation is the make-and-break contact material of Ag—Ni-based alloy with Ni metal particles dispersed therein which is obtained through mixing and stirring 3.1 to 20.0 wt % of Ni powder, a certain amount of Li2CO3 powder corresponding to 0.01 to 0.50 wt % of metal Li as an additive, and a balance being Ag powder to make a mixture with the above described powders uniformly dispersed therein, and through compacting and sintering the above described mixture.

Abstract: Provided are silver-containing powders and a method and apparatus for manufacturing the silver-containing particles of high quality, of a small size and narrow size distribution. An aerosol is generated from liquid feed and sent to a furnace, where liquid in droplets in the aerosol is vaporized to permit formation of the desired particles, which are then collected in a particle collector. The aerosol generation involves preparation of a high quality aerosol, with a narrow droplet size distribution, with close control over droplet size and with a high droplet loading suitable for commercial applications.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at providing a sliding contact material that has an alloy composition containing no harmful substance like Cd, especially excellent contact resistance properties, electrical functions that are good and is not subject to secular change, and abrasion resistance practically bearing comparison with conventional sliding contact materials, and is aimed at lengthening the life of a motor by the use of a sliding contact material having excellent durability as a commutator for a small direct-current motor. The present invention is a sliding contact material of an Ag—Ni-based alloy that is used in sliding part electrically switching on and off by mechanical sliding action, and the material is a sliding contact material of Ni metal particle-dispersed-type Ag—Ni-based alloy that is produced in such a method that 0.7 to 3.0 wt. % Ni powder, an additive of Li2CO3 powder corresponding to 0.01 to 0.50 wt.

Abstract: A make-and-break contact material which is less worn out and is able to achieve an increased life compared to a conventional material of Ag—CdO-based alloy, in an AC general relay used for a resistive load of about 1 to 20A in a range of AC 100V to 250V. In the present invention, the make-and-break contact material of Ag—Ni-based alloy used for a switching part performing electrical switching through mechanical switching operation is the make-and-break contact material of Ag—Ni-based alloy with Ni metal particles dispersed therein which is obtained through mixing and stirring 3.1 to 20.0 wt % of Ni powder, a certain amount of Li2CO3 powder corresponding to 0.01 to 0.50 wt % of metal Li as an additive, and a balance being Ag powder to make a mixture with the above described powders uniformly dispersed therein, and through compacting and sintering the above described mixture.

Abstract: A sliding bearing having improved seizure resistance has the following structure. (a) A bearing layer (2). It comprises a copper alloy containing in a Cu matrix Ag, Sn, Sb, In, Mn, Fe, Bi, Zn, Ni and/or Cr. (b) A fisrst sub-layer (3) of the bearing layer (2). It (3) contains concentrated element, hexagonal compound or eutectic of said element(s). (c) A second sub-layer (2a) in which said element in essential solid-solution state. (d) Metal backing (1).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a material for a sliding contact whose alloy composition does not contain an environmentally detrimental substance such as Cd, which exhibits excellent contact resistance, whose electrical functions are good and free of time-course variation, and which further exhibits excellent wear resistance. The material for a sliding contact assumes the form of an Ag—Zn—Pd, Ag—Zn—Pd—Cu, Ag—Zn—Pd—Ni, or Ag—Zn—Pd—Cu—Ni alloy. In the compositions of these alloys, the Zn content is 0.1-3.0% by weight, the Pd content is 0.1-1.5% by weight, and the balance is Ag. When Cu is contained, the Cu content is 0.1-3.0% by weight. When Ni is contained, the Ni content is 0.01-0.5% by weight. Zn, Pd, and Cu are present in the Ag &agr; phase in the form of solid solution. Ni particles are finely dispersed in the alloys. A composite clad material is formed through use of the material for a sliding contact.

Abstract: A fine silver alloy composition having at least about 99.5 weight percent silver, with the balance containing an element, or an oxide of an element, selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, antimony, cadmium, gallium, germanium, indium, lithium, manganese, magnesium, silicon, tin, titanium and zinc, the alloy composition having been formed by combining silver having a purity of at least about 99.90 weight percent with an element, or an oxide of an element, selected from the group, in a substantially non-oxidizing atmosphere. The alloy composition may be annealed in a substantially non-oxidizing atmosphere. The silver alloy composition may be hardened by internal oxidation. The composition is capable of being aged hardened to at least 136 percent of its annealed hardness, and this hardening may be irreversible. The composition may be resistant to tarnishing, and may have an aged hardness of at least about 48 VHN.

Abstract: An Ag--Cu alloy for a sliding contact containing:a) 0.1 to 8.0 wt. % of Cu, based on the weight of the alloy, wherein at least 70 wt. % of the Cu contained in the alloy is solid-solubilized in an Ag-.alpha.-phase; andb) 0.1 to 4.0 wt. %, based on the weight of the alloy, of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Ge, Ni, Sn, In, Zn, Mg, Mn, Sb, Pb and Bi.The Ag--Cu alloy is desirably utilized to form a composite with a Cu or Cu alloy base material. Such composite has been found to be very useful for fabricating the commutator of a compact DC motor.

Abstract: A brazing material having 0.25-0.9 wt % of titanium oxide added to a basic formula consisting of 60-94.25 wt % Ag, 5-30 wt % Cu and 0.5-4.5 wt % of an active metal is processed to form a paste, which is applied to an AlN substrate and overlaid with a copper plate and heat treated to form a joint between the AlN substrate and the copper plate. A resist is applied to the copper plate to form a circuit pattern, which is etched to form a metallized circuit, thereby producing a metal-ceramics composite substrate capable of operation on high electrical power. The substrate is improved in various characteristics of a power module device over the composite substrates produced by using the conventional brazing materials.

Abstract: A silver colored alloy, highly tarnish resistant, corrosion resistant and brittleness free is provided. The alloy includes 90% to 94% by weight silver, 3.50% to 7.35% by weight zinc, 1% to 3% by weight copper, and 0.1% to 2.5% by weight silicon. The alloy is suitable for rings, earrings, bangles and other jewelry.

Abstract: Electrical contact material made from intimate mixtures of silver powder and a powder of a second phase material is shown in which the powder of the second phase material is milled to produce a selected grain distribution of approximately 90% less than 7-10 microns, approximately 50% between 2 and 5 microns and approximately 10% less than 0.8 to 1.0 microns. The powder of the second phase material is added to a silver salt solution, ammonium hydroxide and hydrazine hydrate to form a precipitate of second phase material particles covered with silver. For applications in which the particles need to be free flowing the particles are compacted together without any binder, broken into chunks and milled to provide granules. In one embodiment homogeneously doped tin oxide particles are disclosed in which tin oxide and the oxide of the dopant are dissolved in nitric acid to produce finely dispersed tin oxide and dopant oxide. The oxides are calcined and ground to the selected grain size distribution.

Abstract: A one-sided oxidized silver-cadmium object is formed. One side of a silver-cadmium object is covered with a non-silver-cadmium shield to enable the one side to resist oxidation. Then the object is oxidized under conditions that leave substantially unoxidized a layer of the object adjacent the one side. An oxidized silver-cadmium object has a non-silver-cadmium, oxidation-resistant shield attached to one side of the object, the object having a substantially unoxidized layer adjacent the one side.

Abstract: An electrical contact material having metal oxide particles dispersed in a silver metal matrix and having an easily brazeable backing layer is made free of internal oxide depletion zones by bonding a conventional internally oxidizable silver alloy to a thin backing layer of a second silver alloy to form a composite metal. The first silver alloy is selected to be internally oxidizable under selected oxidizing conditions. The second alloy is selected so that under the selected oxidizing conditions an oxygen-impenetrable barrier is quickly established on the surfaces of the composite formed by the second alloy. In that way, the first alloy layer is forced to be internally oxidized unidirectionally from the opposite surface of the composite to form the desired metal oxide dispersal extending substantially throughout the first alloy layer free of any internal oxide depletion zone in the first layer.

Abstract: A silver-oxide material for electric contacts of high-current switches, having excellent deposition resistance and consumption resistance. The material is formed by subjecting to an internal oxidation treatment an Ag alloy consisting essentially, by weight %, of:Sn: 5.1-8.5%;In: 1.7-3.2%;Te: 0.1-0.6%; andAg and inevitable impurities: the balance. If required, at least one of the following elements may be added:Ni: 0.05-0.2%; andCd: 0.3-0.8%.

Abstract: A silver-metal oxide composite material comprising a silver matrix or silver-copper alloy matrix containing 50% by weight or less of copper, (a) from 0.5 to 25% by weight, in terms of elemental metal, of an oxide of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Al, Zr, Ca, Ce, Be, Th, Sr, Ti, Cr, Hf and Si, and, optionally, (b) from 0.01 to 5% by weight, in terms of elemental metal, of an oxide of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Bi, Pb, Cd, Zn, Sn, Sb, Mn and iron family metals; the oxide of the (a) element and, where present, the oxide of the (b) element being dispersed in the form of fine particles with a particle size of not more than about 0.1 .mu.m uniformly throughout the matrix from the surface to the core thereof; and process of producing the composite material using oxidation under the conditions in which a liquid phase and a solid phase coexist.

Abstract: An electric contact material containing Li oxide of 0.01 to 2.0% by weight when represented in terms of the amount of Li, oxide of at least one rare earth element of 0.05 to 0.18% by weight when represented in terms of the amount of the rare earth element, and Ag or Ag alloy as the remaining portion; an electric contact material containing Li oxide of 0.01 to 2.0% by weight when represented in terms of the amount of Li, at least one rare earth element of 0.05 to 0.18% by weight when represented in terms of the amount of the rare earth element, at least one element selected from a group consisting of In, Sn, Zn, Mn, Pd, Sb, Cu, Mg, Pb, Cd, Cr and Bi by an amount of 0.1 to 1.0% by weight (however, in the case of Zn and Mn, the amount is set less than 0.5% by weight), and/or at least one element selected from a group consisting of Fe, Ni and Co by an amount of 0.03 to 0.6% by weight, and Ag as the remaining portion; and an electric contact formed by using the above material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing silver-palladium powders that may be used for the production of electrode materials, contacts or the like used in the electronic industries. The process comprises the steps of forming an acid solution containing silver and palladium ions; adding the acid solution while stirring to an aqueous solution containing a hydrazine and a surfactant system; and forming reduction-separated silver-palladium fine powders having an average particle diameter less than 1.0 micron and a specific surface area lower than 6.0 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: A method of making silver-metal oxide materials suitable for use in electrical contacts includes oxidizing a silver-solute metal alloy in an oxidizing atmosphere. The oxidizing atmosphere has a sufficient amount of halide to inhibit the formation of a protective oxide scale around the alloy.

Abstract: A method of preparing a laminated ceramic. The method includes preparing a precursor having at least one noble metal element component and at least two non-noble metal elements. The precursor is exposed to a first environment to form an oxidized zone having a first concentration of a primary ceramic phase containing the non-noble metal elements. The precursor is next exposed to a second environment to form a second oxidized zone having a second concentration of the primary ceramic phase, the second concentration being less than the first concentration. The precursor is repeatedly exposed to each environment to form a plurality of zones with the first concentration of the primary ceramic phase separated by zones with the second concentration of the ceramic.

Abstract: A silver-metal oxide composite material comprising a silver matrix or silver-copper alloy matrix containing 50% by weight or less of copper, (a) from 0.5 to 25% by weight, in terms of elemental metal, of an oxide of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Al, Zr, Ca, Ce, Be, Th, Sr, Ti, Cr, Hf and Si, and, optionally, (b) from 0.01 to 5% by weight, in terms of elemental metal, of an oxide of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Bi, Pb, Cd, Zn, Sn, Sb, Mn and iron family metals; the oxide of the (a) element and, where present, the oxide of the (b) element being dispersed in the form of fine particles with a particle size of not more than about 0.1 .mu.m uniformly throughout the matrix from the surface to the core thereof; and process of producing the composite material using oxidation under the conditions in which a liquid phase and a solid phase coexist.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel materials based on silver and tin oxide for the production of electrical contacts as well as the electrical contacts thus produced. According to the invention, these materials contain at least 6% by weight of tin oxide and from 0.02 to 5% by weight of tellurium oxide; the total content by weight of metal oxides, with the exclusion of tellurium oxide, does not exceed 15%, the balance being made up by silver. Application: manufacture of electrical equipment.

Abstract: Novel Ag-SnO electrical contact materials are disclosed, which are made of Ag alloys consisting of 5-20 weight % of Sn and a balance of Ag, the alloys having been prepared by melting and having been internal oxidized. Novel manufacturing methods are also disclosed, in which internal-oxidation is conducted in an oxygen atmosphere of 10 atm to 200 atm, and at a temperature of 750.degree. C. to 500.degree. C.

Abstract: Novel Ag-SnO-CdO electrical contact materials are disclosed, which are made of ternary Ag alloys consisting of more than 5-12 weight % of Sn, 0.5-5 weight % of Cd, and a balance of Ag, the alloys having been prepared by melting and having been internal oxidized. Novel manufacturing methods are also disclosed, in which internal-oxidation is conducted in an oxygen atmosphere of more than 10 atm to 200 atm, at a temperature of 750.degree. C. to 500.degree. C., and at a condition that the alloys are kept at a solid phase not involving any liquid phase.

Abstract: Novel Ag-SnO electrical contact materials are disclosed, which are made of Ag alloys consisting of 5-20 weight % of Sn and a balance of Ag, the alloys having been prepared by melting and having been internal oxidized. Novel manufacturing methods are also disclosed, in which internal-oxidation is conducted in an oxygen atmosphere of 10 atm to 200 atm, and at a temperature of 750.degree. C. to 500.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to manufacturing a silver alloy which is blackened throughout its bulk and used, for example, in jewelry. The method of manufacturing this material comprises putting the silver alloy into contact with sulfur in the form of sulfur vapor. The thickness of the wires or foils used in the method lies between about 1/10th of a millimeter and a few millimeters, and the time during which the silver alloy is exposed in the atmosphere of sulfur vapor is calculated as a function of this thickness. The silver alloy blackens due to sulfur/silver diffusion, and according to the present invention the silver alloy is heated to a predetermined temperature in order to optimize this diffusion as well as the microstructure of the resulting material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is cobalt-containing precious metal material for decoration which comprises cobalt and one or more precious metals selected form the group consisting of Au, Ag, Pt and Pd, at least the cobalt on the surface being oxidized.Also disclosed herein is a process for preparing cobalt-containing precious metal material for decoration which comprises blending cobalt and one or more precious metals selected from the group consisting of Au, Ag, Pt and Pd, and oxidizing the blend in an oxidative atmosphere so as to form the oxidized cobalt on the surface of the material.

Abstract: An electrically conductive composite material is formed by dispersing in a matrix metal the other metal which is not solid soluble with the matrix metal. The other metal is finely divided to an extent of not excessively lowering the conductivity and is mixed in the matrix metal in a particle amount with which respective particles keep a mutual distance effective to strengthen the composite material, whereby the material is sufficiently improved in the mechanical strength and wear resistance and remarkably reduced in the high temperature deformation. Such conductive composite material can be obtained through a melt atomization.

Abstract: Electrical contact materials are made by the internal-oxidation of Ag alloys containing more than 5 weight % of Sn, with the assistance of Pb or Zr contained at an amount as minimum as possible. Complete and uniform internal-oxidation of said Sn contents are obtained primarily on account of the internal oxidation conducted at an elevated oxygen atmospheric pressure, that is, 10 to 150 atm.

Abstract: An erosion resistant electrical contact material and a method of making the material is described. The material comprises from about 10 to about 20 volume percent of SnO.sub.2, from about 0.45 to about 1.2 volume percent of an oxide selected from the group consisting of TiO.sub.2, CeO.sub.2, ZrO.sub.2, HfO.sub.2, and combinations thereof and the balance being substantially silver.