Abstract: Feed material for use in producing a thixotropic alloy comprising pellets in the form of a solid cylinder having a length to diameter ratio in the range of from 1:1 to 2:1 and a maximum length of 0.250 inch.

Abstract: The method for manufacturing a plastic worked article includes the steps of shaping an article for plastic working by a semisolid molding in which molten metal including both a solid phase and a liquid phase is introduced into a die; performing a pre-plastic working heat treatment on the article for plastic working for causing blisters by expanding gas cavities included in the article for plastic working; and forming a plastic worked article by plastic working the article for plastic working after the pre-plastic working heat treatment. The plastic working of the article for plastic working is performed in such a manner that a tensile stress applied direction at a tensile stress applied portion to which tensile stress is principally applied in actual use of the plastic worked article substantially accords with a plastic flow direction at a portion of the article for plastic working corresponding to the tensile stress applied portion.

Abstract: A titanium aluminum intermetallic compound based alloy superior in creep strength and low cycle fatigue strength made by casting. The alloy has lamellar structure. A volume ratio of non-lamellar structure of the alloy is equal to or less than 3 volume percent. Diameters of lamellar grains included in the alloy are equal to or less than 200 &mgr;m. Lamellar spacing of the lamella structure included in the alloy is equal to or less than 2 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An anode for use in electroplating semiconductor wafers, comprising a metal plate formed from a generally continuous casting process that is essentially free of voids or cracks, the casting being thermo-mechanically worked until the anode has an average grain size of less than 100 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Disclosed is a quasicrystalline phase-reinforced Mg-based metallic alloy with high warm and hot formability, and making method thereof. The metallic alloy comprises a composition of Mg-1˜10 at % Zn-0.1˜3 at % Y, in which a two-phase region consisting of a quasicrystalline phase and a magnesium-based solid solution phase exists. Constituting a matrix structure, the Mg-based solid solution phase (&agr;-Mg) is formed as a primary solid phase upon solidification. The quasicrystalline phase serves as a second phase and forms, together with the Mg-based solid solution phase, a eutectic phase, thereby reinforcing the matrix. The materials obtained through the hot rolling or extrusion of the cast alloy have an increased volume % of the second phase and thus show significantly increased strength.

Abstract: Disclosed is a quasicrystalline phase-reinforced Mg-based metallic alloy with high warm and hot formability, and making method thereof. The metallic alloy comprises a composition of Mg—1˜10 at % Zn—0.1˜3 at % Y, in which a two-phase region consisting of a quascrystalline phase and a magnesium-based solid solution phase exists. Constituting a matrix structure, the Mg-based solid solution phase (&agr;—Mg) is formed as a primary solid phase upon solidification. The quasicrystalline phase serves as a second phase and forms, together with the Mg-based solid solution phase, a eutectic phase, thereby reinforcing the matrix. The materials obtained through the hot rolling or extrusion of the cast alloy have an increased volume % of the second phase and thus show significantly increased strength.

Abstract: A method (10) of forming sputtering target (11) from ingots of tantalum or niobium of requisite purity by the process of cutting the ingot to short lengths (12) and pressure working (14, 22, 30, 34) the ingot along alternating essentially orthogonal work axes. Intermediate anneals (18, 26, 38) are applied as necessary to establish a uniform texture thickness-wise and area-wide throughout the target, including the center. The uniform texture is a substantially constant mix of grains with orientation {100} and {111}, thereby improving sputtering performance by providing a more predictable sputter rate to control film thickness.

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: The process for manufacturing a metallic component, such as a wheel part for the rolling system of a vehicle, which includes, in an initial stage, forming the component of a metallic material in a semi-solid state and having a thixotropic structure, and in a subsequent cold-treatment stage, cold-treating at least part of said component by blasting it with projectiles with a view to plastic deformation thereof. A wheel in which a metallic disk is welded to a wheel rim and in which the metallic disk is obtained by the manufacturing process.

Abstract: The object of this invention was to create starting copper cathodes which prevent a memory effect during copper electrolysis, achieving a high production output of electrolytic copper and which can also be manufactured from directly shaped copper sheeting material in the form of a coil. A suitable method of producing starting cathodes for processing copper sheet produced by conventional methods. The proposed starting cathodes are made of milled copper sheets with a thickness of 0.3 to 1.2 mm, is soft annealed after milling and has a strength of 210 to 240 N/mm2. The copper sheet is cut to the length and width determined by the dimensions of the electrolysis bath and has a flat, fat-free, burless surface. Ear strips of copper sheet with a thickness of 0.3 to 0.6 mm are mounted on the suspension side.

Abstract: Described is a method for producing a diffusion bonded sputtering target assembly which is thermally treated to precipitation harden the backing plate without compromising the diffusion bond integrity. The method includes heat treating and quenching to alloy solution and artificially age the backing plate material after diffusion bonding to a target. Thermal treatment of the diffusion bonded sputtering target assembly includes quenching by partial-immersion in a quenchant and is performed after diffusion bonding and allows for various tempers in the backing plate.

Abstract: A method of producing light alloy castings by foundry technology in which, after solidification and shake-out, the casting is subjected to a heat-treatment cycle comprising a solution heat-treatment step at a temperature high enough to put into solution the phases precipitated in the course of the solidification of the casting, possibly followed by a quenching step and an ageing step, wherein the solution heat-treatment step is performed at least partially in hot isostatic pressing conditions.

Abstract: A metallic alloy composition is manufactured into products such as press formed or stamped products or rolled products such as sheet, strip, rod, wire or band by one or more cold working steps with intermediate or final flash annealing. The method can include cold rolling an iron, nickel or titanium aluminide alloy and annealing the cold worked product in a furnace by infrared heating. The flash annealing is preferably carried out by rapidly heating the cold worked product to an elevated temperature for less than one minute. The flash annealing is effective to reduce surface hardness of the cold worked product sufficiently to allow further cold working. The product to be cold worked can be prepared by casting the alloy or by a powder metallurgical technique such as tape casting a mixture of metal powder and a binder, roll compacting a mixture of the powder and a binder or plasma spraying the powder onto a substrate.

Abstract: Improved targets for use in DC_magnetron sputtering of aluminum or like metals are disclosed for forming metallization films having low defect densities. Methods for manufacturing and using such targets are also disclosed. Conductivity anomalies such as those composed of metal oxide inclusions can induce arcing between the target surface and the plasma. The arcing can lead to production of excessive deposition material in the form of splats or blobs. Reducing the content of conductivity anomalies and strengthening the to-be-deposited material is seen to reduce production of such splats or blobs. Other splat limiting steps include smooth finishing of the target surface and low-stress ramp up of the plasma.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high purity cobalt sputter target having a single phase h.c.p. structure and a magnetic permeability less than the intrinsic magnetic permeability of the material. Substantially pure cobalt is cast and slowly cooled, such as at a rate of 15° C./min. Or less, to form a cast target of single phase h.c.p. crystallographic structure. This cast target is hot worked at a temperature of at least about 1000° C. to impart a strain of about 65% or greater into the cobalt material, followed by a slow, controlled cooling to room temperature, such as at a rate of 15° C./min. or less, to maintain the single phase h.c.p. crystallographic structure. The cooled target is then cold worked at substantially room temperature to impart a strain of about 5-20%. The sputter target of the present invention processed by this method has a magnetic permeability of less than about 9, grain sizes in the size range of about 70-160 &mgr;m, and average grain size of about 130 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A metallic alloy composition is manufactured into products such as press formed or stamped products or rolled products such as sheet, strip, rod, wire or band by one or more cold working steps with intermediate or final flash annealing. The method can include cold rolling an iron, nickel or titanium aluminide alloy and annealing the cold worked product in a furnace by infrared heating. The flash annealing is preferably carried out by rapidly heating the cold worked product to an elevated temperature for less than one minute. The flash annealing is effective to reduce surface hardness of the cold worked product sufficiently to allow further cold working. The product to be cold worked can be prepared by casting the alloy or by a powder metallurgical technique such as tape casting a mixture of metal powder and a binder, roll compacting a mixture of the powder and a binder or plasma spraying the powder onto a substrate.

Abstract: A process of preparing a titanium-tantalum alloy including forming a suite mixture of essentially pure titanium powder and essentially pure tantalum powder, melting the mixture of titanium powder and tantalum powder by plasma torch melting under a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to form a titanium-tantalum solution, and casting the molten solution of titanium-tantalum to form a solid homogeneous titanium-tantalum product is disclosed.The process can further include hot-rolling the cast solid homogeneous titanium-tantalum product to form a sheet of the titanium-tantalum product.

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

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing a magnesium light alloy product. In order to enhance formability in plastically forming a magnesium alloy material and obtain high tensile strength and high proof stress in the final product, the magnesium alloy material is cast by using molten magnesium alloy containing strontium of 0.02 to 0.5 weight percent and then plastically formed into a magnesium light alloy product in set shape.

Abstract: A cast and hot isostatically pressed gamma titanium aluminide turbine blade (26) has an aerofoil portion (38) including a concave pressure surface (44) and a convex suction surface (46). The concave pressure surface (44) has surface irregularities (48), produced by the action of the hot isostatic pressing process on voids (56) located within the cast turbine blade (26), located in that region (50) of the concave pressure surface (44) where in operation aerodynamic separation (G) occurs to minimise the aerodynamic effects of the surface irregularities (48) upon the operation of the turbine blade (26). The remaining portion of the concave pressure surface (44) and the whole of the convex suction surface (46) are substantially free of surface irregularities (48).

Abstract: A method for producing a magnesium light alloy product. In order to enhance formability in plastically forming a magnesium alloy material and obtain high tensile strength and high proof stress in the final product, the magnesium alloy material is cast by using molten magnesium alloy containing strontium of 0.02 to 0.5 weight percent and then plastically formed into a magnesium light alloy product in set shape.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a zinc wire includes the following steps: (1) casting a molten zinc ingot into a zinc rod; (2) annealing the zinc rod by heating the zinc rod at a temperature of 250.degree. C.-310.degree. C. for more than 30 minutes, and then cooling the zinc rod to room temperature; (3) extruding the annealed zinc rod at a temperature of 250.degree. C.-310.degree. C. to form a zinc bar; (4) air cooling the zinc bar to room temperature after step (3); (5) immersing the cooled zinc bar into a liquid having a boiling point of about 100.degree. C.-150.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for forming a wrought product from a starting metal such as tantalum, niobium, and alloys thereof. A consumable electrode is coated with at least a first alloy layer by means which provide for uniform thickness. Sufficient power is applied to the electrode body to induce arcing to cause the starting metal and alloy layers to melt and pool in a crucible. The uniform layer on the electrode body provides a means for delivering minute quantities of alloy into a larger quantity of starting metal and facilitates a uniform and consistent arc which promotes mixing of the alloy and starting material in the crucible. The electrode body is consumed at an improved rate without an associated decrease in the final ingot yield weight. The pooled metal is allowed to solidify into an ingot. The ingot is then formed into a wrought product.

Abstract: A new ternary sulfide alloy exhibits a metal-semiconductor phase transition with hysteresis as a function of temperature. One embodiment of the bistable material includes barium, cobalt, nickel and sulfur in amounts in accordance with the formula Ba(Co.sub.1-x Ni.sub.x)S.sub.2-y, and x is between 0 and 1 and y varies from 0 to 2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a metal sheet having an excellent rolling property, i.e., a rollable metal sheet, which process comprises the basic steps of: continuously feeding a molten metal on a cooling material having one or two cooling surfaces being transferred and renewed for quench solidification, to thereby prepare a thin cast sheet; impinging a small rigid body particle against the surface of the resultant thin cast sheet, to work the cast sheet; heat-annealing the worked sheet in such a manner that the worked region becomes a fine recrystallized grain layer; and subjecting the cast sheet to a cold or warm rolling, optionally after a removal of oxides present on the surface; and an optional step of heat-treating the rolled sheet for working. The process of the present invention is applicable to the production of various known rollable metal or alloy sheets, such as soft steel, stainless steel, silicon steel, nickel-iron, cobalt-iron, nickel, aluminum, and copper sheets.

Abstract: The titanium alloy treatment process of the present invention comprises molding an .alpha.+.beta. titanium alloy and a .beta. alloy, subjecting the resultant article to a .beta. solution treatment above the .beta. transformation point, quenching the treated article to room temperature to form a martensitic single phase or a .beta. single phase, subjecting the article to an aging treatment below the .beta. transformation point to finely precipitation an .alpha. precipitate on the martensite phase or the .beta. phase, and then subjecting the article to a mirror fining treatment to attain a mirror state.

Abstract: A work-strengthenable alloy which includes a gamma prime phase gamma prime particles comprising the following elements in percent by weight:______________________________________ molybdenum 6-16 chromium 13-25 iron 0-23 nickel 10-55 carbon 0-0.05 boron 0-0.05 cobalt balance, at least 20, ______________________________________said alloy also containing one or more elements which form gamma prime phase with nickel,the electron vacancy number, N.sub.v, of the alloy being defined byN.sub.v =0.61 Ni+1.71 Co+2.66 Fe+4.66 Cr+566 Mowherein the respective chemical symbols represent the effective atomic fractions of the respective elements present in the alloy, said value not exceeding the valueN.sub.v =2.82-0.017 W.sub.Fe,where W.sub.Fe is the percent by weight of iron in the alloy for those alloys containing no iron or less than 13 percent by weight iron and W.sub.Fe is 13 for the alloys containing from 13-23 percent by weight iron. The alloys are formed by a melt; and heating the alloy at a temperature of from 600.