Abstract: A brake disk includes a basic material formed of gray cast iron, a decarburized layer formed on the basic material and formed via decarburizing, and a nitride compound layer formed on the decarburized layer and formed via nitriding of a nitride. A method of manufacturing a brake disk includes preparing a disk formed of gray cast iron, performing heat treatment of the disk to form a pre-decarburized layer and a base layer of gray cast iron over which the pre-decarburized layer is formed, and nitriding a portion of the pre-decarburized layer to form a nitride compound layer including a nitride and a decarburized layer over which the nitride compound layer is formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the synthesis of a carbon-deposited alkali metal oxyanion cathode material comprising particles, wherein said particles carry, on at least a portion of the particle surface, carbon deposited by pyrolysis, said process comprising a dry high-energy milling step performed on precursors of said carbon-deposited alkali metal oxyanion prior to a solid-state thermal reaction.

Abstract: A piston ring formed of cast iron provides improved machinability and exceptional performance and minimum costs. The cast iron includes 2.2 to 2.9 wt. % carbon, 3.2 to 4.2 wt. % silicon, 0.75 to 1.25 wt. % copper, 1.0 to 1.5 wt. % manganese, 0.09 to 0.15 wt. % sulfur, not greater than 0.2 wt. % phosphorous, and an average carbon equivalent of 3.8. The cast iron preferably includes a matrix of martensite with MnS and carbides dispersed therein. The matrix is also preferably free of ferrite, austenite, and steadite. The cast iron is formed by casting, austenitizing, quenching, and tempering the alloy.

Abstract: An iron-based corrosion resistant and wear resistant alloy includes (in weight percentage) carbon from about 1.6 to 3%, silicon from about 0.8 to 2.1%, manganese up to 1.0%, chromium from about 12.0 to 15.0%, molybdenum from about 2.0 to 4.0%, nickel from about 0.2 to 0.8%, copper up to 4.0%, boron up to 0.5%, and the balance including iron and incidental impurities. The alloy is suitable for use in elevated temperature applications such as in valve seat inserts for combustion engines.

Abstract: A cam ring of a vane pump and a method of manufacturing a cam ring are provided. The cam ring may be formed of a material including approximately 3.0% to 3.5% of carbon (C), approximately 2.0% to 2.5% of silicon (Si), approximately 0.5% to 1.0% of manganese (Mn), approximately 0.5% to 1.0% of chromium (Cr), approximately 0.2% to 0.5% of copper (Cu), approximately 0.1% to 0.3% of phosphor (P), approximately 0.02% to 0.06% of boron (B), approximately 0.06% to 0.1% of sulfur (S), and approximately 0.043% or more of titanium (Ti) by weight ratio, and iron (Fe) and any inevitable impurity for the remainder, and may have a tempered martensite matrix including a carbide.

Abstract: A method of producing a rolling sliding member, wherein, after a work for a rolling sliding member, which is made of a bearing steel and formed in a predetermined shape, is quenched, a heating start temperature is set to be 10 to 100° C., a heating finish temperature is set to be 220 to 350° C., a time between the heating finish time and the heating start time is set to be a heating time, the quenched work for the rolling sliding member is heated so that a rate of temperature increase indicated by the following formula becomes 7 to 35° C./s rate of temperature increase=(heating finish temperature?heating start temperature)/heating time, the work is tempered by being cooled without being maintained at a heating finish temperature from the heating finish time.

Abstract: A spheroidal graphite cast iron alloy comprises, in % by weight, in addition to addition elements, the following elements: Ni between 3.5% and 7%, Cu between 0.5% and 3%, Mo between 0.15% and 1%, the remainder being iron and inevitable impurities. The spheroidal graphite cast iron alloy may be used in manufacturing a part such as cogwheels and gear rims. The method of manufacturing the part may comprise casting a rough casting blank, notably into a mold, and letting the rough casting blank cool in the mold, thus obtaining the part.

Abstract: A metal base alloy and methods for producing the alloy. The metal base alloy product includes the formula Mebase Ta Sib Crc Mnj Ve Cf, wherein—Mebase is a metal base selected from the group having Fe, Co and Ni, in an amount ranging from about 45-75 w %. The metal base alloy product contains a substantially homogenous dispersion of separate precipitated carbide particles in an amount ranging from 10-65 percentages by volume and the precipitate carbide particles have an average diameter of 0.01-5 micrometers.

Abstract: A piston ring formed of cast iron provides improved machinability and exceptional performance and minimum costs. The cast iron includes 2.2 to 2.9 wt. % carbon, 3.2 to 4.2 wt. % silicon, 0.75 to 1.25 wt. % copper, 1.0 to 1.5 wt. % manganese, 0.09 to 0.15 wt. % sulfur, not greater than 0.2 wt. % phosphorous, and an average carbon equivalent of 3.8. The cast iron preferably includes a matrix of martensite with MnS and carbides dispersed therein. The matrix is also preferably free of ferrite, austenite, and steadite. The cast iron is formed by casting, autenitizing, quenching, and tempering the alloy.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing mechanical components made of spheroidal cast iron, comprising the following steps: providing a casting of a mechanical cast iron component with a percentage of pearlitic structure greater than 70%, having a carbon content comprised between 2.5% and 4.0%, a silicon content comprised between 1.5% and 3.5%, a manganese content comprised between 0.6% and 1.2%, a molybdenum content comprised between 0% and 1%, and a chromium content comprised between 0% and 0.5%; bringing the cast iron casting with a percentage of pearlitic structure greater than 70% to a temperature that is higher than the upper austenitization temperature (Ac3) for the time required to obtain a fully austenitic structure; performing a thermal treatment for interrupted quenching in a salt bath, comprising a step of cooling the mechanical components in a salt bath at a cooling rate that is higher than the critical rate and an isothermal holding step at a temperature comprised between 250° C. and 320° C.

Abstract: A casting of a white cast iron alloy and a method of producing the casting are disclosed. A white cast alloy is also disclosed. The casting has a solution treated microstructure that comprises a ferrous matrix of retained austenite and chromium carbides dispersed in the matrix, with the carbides comprising 15 to 60% volume fraction of the alloy. The matrix composition comprises: manganese: 8 to 20 wt %; carbon: 0.8 to 1.5 wt %; chromium: 5 to 15 wt %; and iron: balance (including incidental impurities).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a crankshaft, in special for diesel engines, wherein a crankshaft blank is produced from austempered ductile cast iron, the casting blank is subjected to heat treatment matched to the austempered ductile cast iron whereby the blank acquires high strength and hardness. According to the invention, surfaces which form bearing surfaces for connecting rods and shaft bearings are undersized before the ADI heat treatment. Following the heat treatment a coating is applied to the bearing surfaces, the layer thickness being matched to the undersize and dimensional deviations as a result of the heat treatment. The coated bearing surfaces are finally finish-machined to the finished size without the need of machining the bearing surfaces of the casting blank after the heat treatment.

Abstract: A method by which properties of a component (18) formed of a ductile iron alloy and having thick sections can be promoted with an austempering process. The method entails casting a ductile iron alloy containing iron, carbon, silicon and alloying constituents. The casting is solidified at a rate that inhibits segregation of the alloying constituents to grain boundaries of the casting, and so that the casting contains graphite nodules having a count of greater than 100 nodules per mm2. The casting is then austempered by heating to an austenitization temperature to yield a microstructure having a single-phase matrix of austenite that contains carbon, and then quenching the casting to an austempering temperature. The casting is held at the austempering temperature for a duration sufficient to yield a microstructure whose matrix is mostly ausferrite and essentially free of martensite and pearlite.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing at least one part of a device for mounting directly or indirectly on an arm of an earth-moving or material-handling machine, such as an excavator, tractor, harvester, forwarder or crane, whereby the device enables coupling and/or positioning (tilt and/or turn) of a tool (14), such as a bucket, grapple, fork, vibratory compactor or harvesting head, relatively to the arm of the machine. The method includes the steps of: a) forming a melt including unalloyed or alloyed ductile iron, b) casting at least one part of a device from the melt, c) allowing the at least one part of the device to cool, d) austenitizing the at least one part of the device, e) quenching the at least one part of the device, f) austempering the at least one part of the device, and g) allowing the at least one part of the device to cool.

Abstract: To improve corrosion resistance in wet environments, for a martensitic cast steel material obtained at a predetermined composition ratio and martensitic steel casting products, and to provide a martensitic cast steel material that is appropriate for various types of molds and dies, mechanical parts, etc., and a manufacturing method for martensitic steel casting products. Nickel, Ni, of 5 to 10 mass %, silicon, Si, of 0.5 to 5 mass %, manganese, Mn, of 0.01 to 1 mass %, carbon, C, of 0.2 to 2 mass % and a remaining part consisting of iron, Fe, and incidental impurities are employed, and further chromium, Cr, of 1 to 10 mass % is added to obtain a martensitic cast steel material for which a martensitic transformation finish temperature (Mf point) is below freezing. Further, a cast steel material that contains vanadium V of 0.1 to 5 mass % in addition to the above elements of the material is also obtained.

Abstract: A component for wind turbines includes cast austempered ductile iron containing about 3.0 to about 3.8 weight percent carbon, about 1.9 to about 2.8 weight percent silicon, up to about 0.3 weight percent manganese, up to about 0.8 weight percent copper, up to about 2.0 weight percent nickel, up to about 0.3 weight percent molybdenum, about 0.03 to about 0.06 weight percent magnesium, less than about 0.05 weight percent chromium, less than about 0.02 weight percent vanadium, and less than about 0.01 weight percent sulfur. The component is preferably a drive shaft or gearbox component having a mass of more than about 3 tons. A method of manufacturing the component is also provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns an article of a steel which is characterized in that it consists of an alloy which contains in weight-%: 1.2-2.0 C, 0.1-1.5 Si, 0.1-2.0 Mn, max. 0.2 N, max. 0.25 S, 4-8 Cr, 0.5-3.5 (Mo+W/2), 5-8 V, max. 1.0 Nb, balance essentially only iron and unavoidable impurities, and that the steel has a micro-structure obtainable by a manufacturing of the steel which comprises spray forming of an ingot, the micro-structure of which contains 8-15 vol-% carbides of essentially only MC-type where M substantially consists of vanadium, of which carbides at least 80 vol-% have a substantially rounded shape and a size in the longest extension of the carbides amounting to 1-20 ?m.

Abstract: A nitrogen trapping agent is added by a metering hopper to raw materials, which are melted and poured into a mold cavity of a metal mold device (18). The molten metal is then cooled and solidified into a casting (B). Before the molten metal is fully cooled and solidified, free nitrogen present in the molten metal is quickly trapped by the nitrogen trapping agent, producing a nitride. Then, a chilled structure generated in the surface layer of the casting (B) is decomposed by heating the casting (B). Finally, the heated casting (B) is machined into a camshaft (A) which is a cast iron member as a final product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steel for mechanical construction, wherein its composition in percentages by weight is: 0.35%?C?1.2%; 0.10%?Mn?2.0%; 0.10%?Si?3.0%; traces?Cr?4.5%; traces?Mo?2.0%; traces?Ni?4.5%; traces?V?0.5%; traces?Cu?3.5% with Cu?Ni %+0.6 Si % if Cu?0.5%; traces?P?0.200%, traces?Bi?0.200%, traces?Sn?0.150%, traces?As?0.100%, traces?Sb?0.150%, with 0.050%?P %+Bi %+Sn %+As %+Sb %?0.200%, traces?Al?0.060%; traces?Ca ?0.050%; traces?B?0.01%; traces?S?0.200%; traces?Te?0.020%; traces?Se?0.040%; traces?Pb?0.070%; traces?Nb?0.050%; traces?Ti?0.050%; the remainder being iron and impurities resulting from the manufacture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steel for mechanical construction, wherein its composition in percentages by weight is: 0.35%?C?2.5%; 0.10%?Mn?2.5%; 0.60%?Si?3.0%; traces?Cr?4.5%; traces?Mo?2.0%; traces?Ni?4.5%; traces?V?0.5%; traces?Cu?4% with Cu?Ni %+0.6 Si % if Cu?0.5%; traces?Al?0.060%; traces?Ca?0.050%; traces?B?0.01%; traces?S?0.200%; traces?Te?0.020%; traces?Se?0.040%; traces?Pb?0.070%; traces?Nb?0.050%; traces?Ti?0.050%; the remainder being iron and impurities resulting from the manufacture. The invention also relates to a method of hot-shaping a steel part, wherein a billet of steel of the preceding composition is obtained, it is heated to a temperature between the solidus and the liquidus so as to obtain a liquid phase and a globular solid phase, shaping of the said billet is carried out by thixoforging so as to obtain the said part, and cooling of the said part is carried out. Finally, the invention relates to a steel part thus obtained.

Abstract: A region including an engaging hole is given surface treatment such as partial quench hardening by induction hardening for improving surface hardness of the region. The partial quench hardening by induction hardening provides the region with satisfactory mechanical strength or surface hardness enough for resisting deformation of the engaging hole and wear-out of an edge of opening of the engaging hole caused by putting in and out of the lock pin.

Abstract: A machinable austempered cast iron article has improved strength, machinability, fatigue performance, and resistance to environmental cracking. A method of making the machinable austempered cast iron article includes austenitizing an iron composition having a substantially pearlitic microstructure in an intercritical temperature range of between 1380° F. and 1500° F. This produces a ferritic plus austenitic microstructure. The ferritic plus austenitic microstructure is quenched into an austempering temperature range of between 575° F. and 750° F. within 3 minutes to prevent formation of pearlite. The ferritic plus austenitic microstructure is then austempered in the austempering temperature range of between 575° F. and 750° F. to produce a microstructure of a continuous matrix of equiaxed ferrite with islands of austenite.

Abstract: An iron-based corrosion resistant and wear resistant alloy. The alloy can comprise (in weight percent) 0.005-0.5% boron, 1.2-1.8% carbon, 0.7-1.5% vanadium, 7-11% chromium, 1-3.5% niobium, 6-11% molybdenum, and the balance including iron and incidental impurities. Alternatively, the Nb content can be replaced or combined with Ti, Zr, Hf and/or Ta such that 1%<(Ti+Zr+Nb+Hf+Ta)≦3.5. The alloy has improved hot hardness and high temperature compressive strength and is suitable for use in elevated temperature applications such as in diesel valve seat inserts.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention provide new nanostructured materials and methods for preparing nanostructured materials having increased tensile strength and ductility, increased hardness, and very fine grain sizes making such materials useful for a variety of applications such as rotors, electric generators, magnetic bearings, aerospace and many other structural and nonstructural applications. The preferred nanostructured materials have a tensile yield strength from at least about 1.9 to about 2.3 GPa and a tensile ductility from at least 1%. Preferred embodiments of the invention also provide a method of making a nanostructured material comprising melting a metallic material, solidifying the material, deforming the material, forming a plurality of dislocation cell structures, annealing the deformed material at a temperature from about 0.30 to about 0.70 of its absolute melting temperature, and cooling the material.

Abstract: A steel material which is manufactured in a non-powder metallurgical way, comprising production of ingots or castings from a melt, consists of an alloy having the following chemical composition in weight-% Carbon: 2.0-4.3%, Silicon: 0.1-2.0%, Manganese: 0.1-2.0%, Chromium: 5.6-8.5%, Nickel: max. 1.0%, Molybdenum: 1.7-3%, wherein Mo completely or partly can be replaced by double the amount of W, Niobium: max. 2.0%, Vanadium: 6.5-15%, wherein V partly can be replaced by double amount of Nb up to max. 2% Nb, Nitrogen: max. 0.3%, wherein the contents of on the one hand carbon and nitrogen and on the other hand vanadium and any possibly existing niobium shall be balanced relative to each other, such that the contents of the said elements shall lie within the area of A, B″, E, F, B′, B, C, D, A in the co-ordinate system in FIG. 2, where V+2Nb, C+N co-ordinates for said points are A: (9,3.1), B″: (9,2.85), E: (15,4.3), F: (15,3.75), B′: (9,2.65), B: (9,2.5), C: (6.5,2.0), D: (6.5,2.

Abstract: The present invention produces an Fe-based member having a high Young's modulus and a high toughness. In producing an Fe-based member, a first step and a second step are sequentially carried out. At the first step, an Fe-based material comprising 1.5% by weight≦C≦2.5% by weight 1.4% by weight≦Si≦3.5% by weight 0.9% by weight≦Mn≦1.7% by weight 0.5% by weight≦Ni≦1.5% by weight, and the balance of Fe including inevitable impurities is subjected to a thermal treatment at a heating temperature set in a range of TS<T1<TL and under a quenching condition, wherein TS represents a solidus temperature of the Fe-based material, and TL represents a liquidus temperature.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide high-strength steel sheets exhibiting high impact energy absorption properties, as steel materials, to be used for shaping and working into such parts as front side members of automobiles which absorb impact energy upon collision, as well as a method for their production.

Abstract: Austempered ductile iron castings having primary iron carbides uniformly dispersed throughout an ausferritic matrix, and methods of making the same, are described. The dissolution of the primary iron carbides into the ausferritic matrix during the austempering process is prevented or lessened by altering the chemical composition of the ductile iron, employing a stabilizing agent, by altering the processing parameters of the austempering process, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: In order to produce castings from cast iron with foliated graphite, the carbon content of the cast iron can be set at between approximately 3 and 4% by controlling the melting process of the type and/or operation of the melting furnace. The molten mass is then cast in a sand-casting or lost-form method. During conventional cooling, the known mechanical properties of the cooled cast are set. In order to improve these mechanical properties in terms of hardness and strength, the casting is released from its mold at a temperature ranging from 1,100° C. to 800° C. and is immediately subjected to a cooling treatment by being blasted with an air flow in order to cool it to below 723° C. in a given amount of time. The casting, in selected regions, is cooled to below 723° C. by specific intermittent bursts of air in a relatively short amount of time in order to produce a harder structure. The cooling treatment is stopped when the temperature at the eutectoid line of the iron-carbon diagram is reached.

Abstract: A thixocast casting material is formed of an Fe--C--Si based alloy in which an angle endothermic section due to the melting of a eutectic crystal exists in a latent heat distribution curve and has a eutectic crystal amount Ec in a range of 10% by weight <Ec<50% by weight. This composition comprises 1.8% by weight .ltoreq.C.ltoreq.2.5% by weight of carbon, 1.4% by weight .ltoreq.Si.ltoreq.3% by weight of silicon and a balance of Fe including inevitable impurities.

Abstract: A method and a plant for rolling hot-rolled wide strip from continuously cast thin slabs or slabs of medium thickness of about 40 to 100 mm, wherein the cast slab strand is divided into sections, is subjected to a temperature treatment in a continuous furnace, and is conveyed for rolling into a rolling train. The temperature treatment of a slab section on the continuous furnace is interrupted by a surface treatment and the surface treatment of the slab section is carried out in the production line between the casting plant and the rolling train. The plant for carrying out the method includes a continuous casting plant for thin slabs, a transverse cutting device, a continuous furnace and a rolling train, wherein the continuous furnace, for example, a roller-hearth furnace, is divided into two segments between which is arranged in an in-line position a surface treatment unit for treating deficient slab sections.

Abstract: A cast cold tool is obtained through the steps of forming a casting by founding a molten steel consisting by weight percentage of 0.5 to 0.8% of C, not more than 1.0% of Si, 0.25 to 1.50% of Mn, 4.0 to 8.0% of Cr, 1.0 to 5.0% of Mo, one or both of 0.2 to 1.0% of V and 0.2 to 2.0% of Nb, opptionally not more than 2.5% of W, not more than 2.5% of Ni, and the balance being Fe plus incidental impurities, subjecting the casting to solid solution treatment to decrease primary carbides precipitated in the casting to not more than 1%, preferably to extinguish completely, and subjecting the solid-solution treated casting to quenching and tempering treatment to give predetermined toughness and hardness to the casting.

Abstract: The invention is a malleable iron comprising about 250 to 400 nodules of graphite per square millimeter as observed in a photomicrograph at 100.times., and a Brinell hardness of about 195 to 550 BHN. Preferably, the malleable iron further comprises sulfur and manganese wherein the manganese is present in an excess amount of at least 2 times the amount of sulfur plus 0.15% and is formed by two separate quenching steps. The invention further comprises a method of preparing a malleable iron having a high nodule count comprising the steps of prenucleating a malleable iron casting at a temperature of about 600 to 900.degree. F. for about 3 to 6 hours; austenitizing the prenucleated casting at about 1680 to 1740.degree. F. for about 3 to 9 hours to form graphite nodules such that the malleable iron has about 250 to 400 nodules per mm.sup.2 ; and quenching the casting to form pearlite and a malleable iron made by this process.

Abstract: An indefinite chill roll alloy composition is disclosed containing carbon ranging from 2.5 to 4.0% by weight of the alloy and the carbon is present as free graphite in an amount ranging from 2-7%, preferably 3-6%, of the total carbon. The composition further includes niobium which ranges from 0.3-6.0 % and is present essentially as discrete niobium carbide particles in the alloy. The present invention further includes a chill roll shell formed from the alloy and produced by a method including the steps of providing a molten indefinite chill roll composition, adjusting the composition by adding niobium in an amount sufficient to produce a molten batch containing 0.3 to 6.0% niobium based on the total weight of said molten batch, providing a stoichiometric amount of excess carbon to form niobium carbide and casting the molten batch to form the chill roll shell.

Abstract: A high speed tool steel and a manufacturing method therefor are disclosed, in which carbides are formed in the matrix in a uniform manner, thereby obtaining a high toughness and a high abrasion resistance. The high speed tool steel according to the present invention includes a basic composition of W.sub.a Mo.sub.b Cr.sub.c Co.sub.d V.sub.x C.sub.y Fe.sub.z where the subscripts meet in weight %: 5.0%.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.7.0%, 4.0%.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.6.0%, 3.0%.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.5.0%, 6.5%.ltoreq.d.ltoreq.9.5%, 2.2%.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.8.3%, 1.1%.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.2.18%, and 66.52%.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.73.7%. The final structure has carbides uniformly distributed within a martensite matrix, which are mainly MC and M.sub.6 C carbides. The method includes the steps of melting the above-defined alloy composition, gas spraying the melted alloy to form a bulk material, heat treating the bulk material to decompose the M.sub.2 C carbides to stabilize M.sub.6 C carbides and hot working the heat treated bulk material to a desired shape.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of brass components to reduce leachable lead therefrom when the component is exposed to water in which the brass component is first treated with an aqueous caustic solution to remove some of the leachable lead therefrom. Thereafter, the brass component is leached to remove excess caustic and then contacted with a water soluble carboxylic acid to remove most of the remaining leachable lead. It has been found that the efficiency of the process can be significantly enhanced through the use of ultrasonic agitation to ensure intimate contact between the treating solutions and the brass component. In the practice of the invention, the amount of lead removed is sufficient to meet the most stringent regulatory requirements for water quality.

Abstract: A process for pickling a strip which is produced in a thin slab installation and subsequently hot-rolled, especially a low-carbon steel strip, in a continuous process immediately following the rolling process. The process includes the following sequence of steps: gently cooling the strip exiting the rolling mill at .gtoreq.880.degree. C. in a first cooling zone to 850.degree. to 680.degree. C., balancing surface temperature and core temperature of the strip in a first recovery zone to a uniform cross section temperature of approximately 680.degree. C., gently cooling the strip in an immediately adjoining second cooling zone from 680.degree. to 480.degree. C., and balancing surface temperature and core temperature in a second recovery zone to a uniform cross section temperature of approximately 480.degree. C. The process continues by drastically cooling the strip from 480.degree. C. to approximately 95.degree. C.

Abstract: Alloyed steel with high carbon content having a composition, expressed in percentage weight: carbon from 1.1 to 2.0%, manganese from 0.5 to 3.5%, chromium from 1.0 to 4.0%, silicon from 0.6 to 1.2%, the remainder being iron with the usual impurity content, such that it provides a metallographic structure mainly of non-equilibrium fine pearlite and that its hardness is between 47 Rc and 54 Rc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bimetallic casting serving as a wear piece in vertical mills and its method of manufacture. It includes a core (13) made of a ductile cast iron and provided with mechanical bonding elements in the form of pins (15) which are rendered integral with an outer casing (17) by casting, the outer casing being made of a non-ductile wear material having a high chromium content. Such castings are used for being mounted on the hub of a roller of a so-called vertical-axis crushing mill.

Abstract: A cast iron component, eg a camshaft, has a wear-resistant layer formed on at least one surface portion thereof, said layer being rich in primary carbides. The cast iron surrounding the carbides and in the remainder of the component has a structure which is substantially ausferritic. A method of manufacturing a component is also claimed.

Abstract: A process for austempering ductile iron includes austenitizing a ductile iron casting of low alloy content followed by quenching the workpiece for a controlled period of time in a quench medium such as water, an aqueous polymer solution or a medium speed quench oil. The workpiece is then austempered in an air tempering furnace, resulting in a ausferrite microstructure essentially free of pearlite and martensite, and with mechanical properties meeting ASTM designation A897-90 "Standard Specification for Austempered Ductile Iron Castings." The process eliminates the need for a molten salt bath for quenching and tempering.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved aluminum base alloy comprising an improved aluminum base alloy comprising 0.2 to 2 wt. % Si, 0.3 to 1.7 wt. % Mg, 0 to 1.2 wt. % Cu, 0 to 1.1 wt. % Mn, 0.01 to 0.4 wt. % Cr, and at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting of 0.01 to 0.3 wt. % V, 0.001 to 0.1 wt. % Be and 0.01 to 0.1 wt. % Sr, the remainder comprising aluminum, incidental elements and impurities. Also disclosed are methods of casting and thermomechanical processing of the alloy.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for heat treating metal castings with sand cores provides for removal of the sand core and recovery of the sand core material for reuse. The method and apparatus eliminate the need for removing the sand core from the casting prior to heat treatment and thus eliminate the labor, expense, and possible damage to the casting incidental to conventional core removal techniques such as chiseling and shaking. The method involves heating the casting with sand core therein to a temperature sufficient to burn off the binder component of the sand core. The sand comprising the sand core is then blown out of the casting by directing a flow of air over the workpiece. The sand thus dislodged is then collected for reuse. According to the disclosed apparatus, the castings are heated in a furnace having fans for directing a flow of air over the workpieces.

Abstract: A new class of ductile iron is formed by the hot isostatic pressing of a ductile iron casting, followed by austempering of the ductile iron casting. Hot isostatic pressing can be carried out at a pressure in the range of 10,000 to 17,000 psi at a temperature above 1600.degree. F., and usually in the range of 1850.degree. F. to 2050.degree. F. Austempering of the material is carried out by heating to the austenitizing temperature (about 1500.degree. F. to 1800.degree. F.), maintaining the austenitizing temperature for a suitable time period, and rapidly cooling to an austempering temperature (about 400.degree. F. to 750.degree. F.) to form ausferrite within the sample.

Abstract: An alloy ingot for permanent magnet consists essentially of rare earth metal and iron and optionally boron. The two-component alloy ingot contains 90 vol % or more of crystals having a crystal grain size along a short axis of 0.1 to 100 .mu.m and that along a long axis of 0.1 to 100 .mu.m. The three-component alloy ingot contains 90 vol % or more of crystals having a crystal grain size along a short axis of 0.1 to 50 .mu.m and that along a long axis of 0.1 to 100 .mu.m. The alloy ingot is produced by solidifying the molten alloy uniformly at a cooling rate of 10.degree. to 1000.degree. C./sec. at a sub-cooling degree of 10.degree. to 500.degree. C. A permanent magnet and anisotropic powders are produced from the alloy ingot.

Abstract: A unique method is proposed for the preparation of a body of an austempered ductile cast iron having a gradient of the mechanical property within the body by subjecting a body of a nodular graphite cast iron to an isothermal transformation treatment for austempering at a temperature in the range from 250.degree. to 450.degree. C. while the body has a temperature difference between two points or between two surfaces. The temperature difference can be produced by bringing the two points or two surfaces into contact with melts of a salt kept at different temperatures. A two-compartment salt-bath apparatus therefore is disclosed.

Abstract: A highly abrasion-resistant, high-chromium white cast iron alloy containing the following elemental analysis in percent by weight: 2.4-3.8% carbon, 0.4 to 2.0% manganese, 0.2 to 1.9% silicon, 0.0 to 3.0% copper, 1.5 to 4.5% nickel, 12.0 to 29.0% chromium, and the remainder iron; and super-hardened by placement in a cooling medium at a temperature of at least -55.degree. C. for a time sufficient to cause the iron alloy to have a hardness of at least about 700 HB.

Abstract: A method for preparing an austempered cast iron which includes an ausferritic matrix, the cast iron having a silicon content of from about 1.6 to about 2.4 weight percent, and a carbon content of from about 1.6 to about 2.2 weight percent, such that the carbon equivalent of the cast iron is from about 2.1 to about 3.0 weight percent. The method includes (a) melting the cast iron composition; (b) pouring the melt into a mold to form a casting having eutectic carbide particles; (c) altering the temperature of the casting to about 1650.degree.-1900.degree. F. and maintaining the temperature of the casting at about 1650.degree.-1900.degree. F. until substantially all of the eutectic carbide particles convert to temper graphite nodules to form a temper graphite-containing casting; (d) cooling the temper graphite-containing casting to about 1500.degree.-1750.degree. F. and maintaining the temperature of the tempered graphite-containing casting at about 1500.degree.-1750.degree. F.