Abstract: A method of assembling a radial turbine rotor includes manufacturing turbine blades, a flowpath ring, and a hub. The method includes fixing the turbine blades circumferentially around the flowpath ring by a blade joint between the turbine blades and the flowpath ring to form a ring assembly. The method includes spinning the hub and moving the hub into engagement with the flowpath ring to locate the hub radially inwardly of the flowpath ring and to form a hub joint between the flowpath ring and the hub.

Abstract: A discharge chamber for a deep ultraviolet (DUV) light source includes a housing; and a first electrode and a second electrode in the housing, the first electrode and the second electrode being separated from each other to form a discharge region between the first electrode and the second electrode, the discharge region being configured to receive a gain medium including at least one noble gas and a halogen gas. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a metal alloy including more than 33% and less than 50% zinc by weight.

Abstract: A method of forming a part from sheet metal alloy is provided, for example, forming a part from aluminium alloy. The method comprises heating (A) the sheet metal alloy to a temperature at which solution heat treatment of the alloy occurs and so as to achieve solution heat treatment. The sheet is cooled (B) at at least the critical cooling rate for the alloy and then placed between dies to form (C) it into or towards the part.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a middle high temperature pressure vessel steel plate having excellent resistance against a post weld heat treatment (PWHT) and a manufacturing method therefor. The pressure vessel steel plate includes 0.05 to 0.17 wt % of C, 0.50 to 1.00 wt % of Si, 0.3 to 0.8 wt % of Mn, 1.0 to 1.5 wt % of Cr, 0.3 to 1.0 wt % of Mo, 0.003 to 0.30 wt % of Ni, 0.003 to 0.30 wt % of Cu, 0.005 to 0.06 wt % of Sol.Al, 0.015 wt % or less of P, and 0.020 wt % or less of S; additionally two or more elements selected from 0.002 to 0.025 wt % of Nb, 0.002 to 0.03 wt % of V, and 0.002 to 0.15 wt % of Co; and Fe and unavoidable impurities as the reminder, wherein a microstructure of a central portion of the steel plate is formed in a mixed structure of 20 area % or more of tempered martensite and the residue bainite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an Al—Zn alloy with improved strength and elongation comprising more than 20 parts by weight of zinc relative to the total weight of the alloy and comprising discontinuous precipitates or lamellar precipitates, formed forcibly in 5% or more per unit area. According to the present invention, the tensile strength and the elongation of an Al—Zn alloy are simultaneously improved.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an annular material includes: a forging process of making a discoid forged material by forging an alloy material; and a ring rolling process of making an annular material by performing ring rolling on an annular intermediate made by forming a through-hole in the forged material. In the forging process, hot forging which achieves an absolute value ??1 of a strain in a circumferential direction of the forged material that is greater than or equal to 0.3, an absolute value ?h of a strain in a height direction of the forged material that is greater than or equal to 0.3, and a ratio ?h/??1 between the absolute values of the strains that is in a range of 0.4 to 2.5 is performed at least two or more times.

Abstract: A method for producing a high-strength magnesium alloy material includes (a) a step of preparing a magnesium alloy workpiece having a top face and a side face; and (b) a step of applying a compressive load ?p (MPa) from the top face side of the workpiece and performing a uniaxial forging process on the workpiece. Step (b) is performed while suppressing deformation of the workpiece widening outward and under conditions including (i) ?p>?f (where ?f is the compressive breaking stress (MPa) of the workpiece); (ii) a plastic deformation rate is less than or equal to 10%, and (iii) a strain rate is less than or equal to 0.1/sec.

Abstract: Methods for modifying a physical characteristic of finished endodontic instruments made from one or more superelastic alloys is described which include heat treating one or more finished endodontic instruments in a salt bath for a specific time (e.g., from about four hours to about six hours), at a specified temperature (e.g., from about 475° C. to about 550° C.), and preferably at a specified pH range.

Abstract: Processes for fabricating components to have two or more regions with different grain structures, and components produced by such processes. First and second preforms are fabricated to comprise interface surfaces at which the preforms can be joined together. The first and second preforms are formed of first and second precipitation-strengthened alloys, respectively, and the first alloy differs from the second alloy by having a higher solvus temperature or a higher grain refiner content. The preforms are joined together to form an article comprising first and second portions formed by the first and second preforms, respectively, and corresponding to first and second regions of the component, respectively, and the interface surfaces of the preforms form a joint between the first and second portions of the article. A supersolvus heat treatment is performed on the article so that greater grain growth occurs in the second portion than in the first portion.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a nonlinear superelastic file comprising the steps of: providing a superelastic file having a shaft and a file axis; providing a fixture including a file groove being defined by one or more displacement members, the file groove configured for receiving the shaft; inserting at least a portion of the shaft into the fixture along the file groove, the portion of the shaft including a first portion of the shaft; contacting the first portion of the shaft with a first displacement member of the one or more displacement members such that the first portion of the shaft is displaced from the file axis thereby forming a first offset portion of the shaft; heating the portion of the shaft while inserted in the fixture to a temperature of at least about 300° C. for a time period of at least about 1 minute to shape-set the portion of the shaft thereby forming a shape-set nonlinear file.

Abstract: Medical instruments, particularly, endodontic instruments with unique limited memory characteristics, and methods for making such instruments. One embodiment includes heat treating a finished endodontic instrument. A related embodiment includes electropolishing a finished endodontic instrument and then heat treating the endodontic instrument.

Abstract: A composite steel plate includes at least two steel sheets rolled to form a plate. One of the sheets has a composition that varies in a depthwise direction, between nanocrystalline and micron grained. The plate is made by treating a steel sheet to produce a composition in the sheet that varies in a depthwise direction of the sheet between nanocrystalline and micron grained, stacking the treated sheet with at least one other steel sheet, and rolling the stacked sheets to form the plate.

Abstract: Processes for producing a nickel-titanium alloy are disclosed. The processes are characterized by the production of nickel-titanium alloy articles having improved microstructure. A pre-alloyed nickel-titanium alloy is melted and atomized to form molten nickel-titanium alloy particles. The molten nickel-titanium alloy particles are cooled to form nickel-titanium alloy powder. The nickel-titanium alloy powder is consolidated to form a fully-densified nickel-titanium alloy preform that is hot worked to form a nickel-titanium alloy article. Any second phases present in the nickel-titanium alloy article have a mean size of less than 10 micrometers measured according to ASTM E1245-03 (2008) or an equivalent method.

Abstract: Superelastic and/or shape memory nickel-titanium alloys having an increased fatigue life that is superior to known nickel-titanium alloys are disclosed. The nickel-titanium alloys have a minimum fatigue life that may be at least about 10 million strain cycles at a strain of at least about 0.75. The minimum fatigue life may be due, at least in part, to the nickel-titanium alloy having at least one of an oxygen concentration of less than about 200 ppm, a carbon concentration of less than about 200 ppm, the absence of oxide-based and/or carbide-based inclusions having a size greater than about 5 microns (?m), the presence of an R-phase, or combinations of the foregoing. Articles manufactured from such fatigue-resistant nickel-titanium alloys can be more durable because they are more resistant to repetitive strain and crack propagation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrode, in which a solid metal material is extruded through a channel angular extrusion die to form the electrode. The solid metal material comprises copper and at least about 10 wt % zinc, and more particularly, between about 20 and about 40 wt % zinc. Prior to extrusion, the solid metal material may be formed by casting, hot forging, machining and/or hot isostatic pressure such that the solid metal material has dimensions corresponding to the CAE die. After extrusion, the solid metal material can be rolled and/or cut to a desired electrode shape.

Abstract: A method of making 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.

Abstract: A method for refining the microstructure of titanium alloys in a single thermomechanical processing step, wherein the titanium alloy comprises boron. In some embodiments, the method comprises the steps of first adding boron to the titanium alloy then subjecting the boron-containing titanium alloy to a thermomechanical processing step. Also provided is a method for achieving superplasticity in titanium alloys comprising the steps of selecting a boron-containing titanium alloy, determining the temperature and strain rate necessary to achieve beta superplasticity, and applying sufficient temperature and strain rate to the boron-containing titanium alloy to deform the alloy to the desired shape. Also provided methods of forming titanium alloy parts and the parts prepared by these methods.

Abstract: There is provided a high strength steel plate including, by weight: 0.03% to 0.20% C, 0.15% to 0.55% Si, 0.9% to 1.5% Mn, 0.001% to 0.05% Al, 0.030% or less P, 0.030% or less S, 0.30% or less Cr, 0.2% or less Mo, 0.6% or less Ni, 0.07% or less V, 0.04% or less Nb, 5 ppm to 50 ppm Ca, 0.005% to 0.025% Ti, 0.0020% to 0.0060% N, 0.0005% to 0.0020% B, the balance of F and unavoidable impurities. The steel plate may be formed of tempered martensite, and conditions for cooling and recrystallization controlled rolling are optimized so as to control an average grain size of a microstructure and an aspect ratio of structure grains. Accordingly, a superior high-strength steel plate that can be used for an atomic plant, for example, an atomic plant rated at IOOOMW or more by having a tensile strength of at least 650 MPa and an impact toughness of at least 200 J at ?5O ° C., and a method of manufacturing the same can be provided.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a superplastically formable strip or a superplastically formable foil from TiAl6V4 with a thickness of no more than 0.9 mm, preferably less than or equal to 0.5 mm, comprises the steps: a) hot rolling a sheet metal made of TiAl6V4; b) thermal pre-treatment of the hot-rolled sheet metal at a temperature between 650 and 850° C.; and c) cold rolling the hot-rolled and thermally pre-treated sheet metal at a forming rate of at least 30%, wherein the forming rate per single pass amounts to between 1 and 15%, to form a strip or a foil with a thickness of no more than 0.9 mm, wherein the cold-rolled strip or the cold-rolled foil is not annealed.

Abstract: A friction stir method includes providing a joining tool, a mold comprising a top surface and a cutout defined from the top surface, and a workpiece comprising a treatable layer and arranged on the top surface of the mold. The joining tool resists the workpiece, and rotates and moves to agitate the treatable layer of the workpiece along an extending direction of the cutout of the mold, until a protrusion integrated with the workpiece is formed in the cutout of the mold.

Abstract: A method for refining the microstructure of titanium alloys in a single thermomechanical processing step, wherein the titanium alloy comprises boron. In some embodiments, the method comprises the steps of first adding boron to the titanium alloy then subjecting the boron-containing titanium alloy to a thermomechanical processing step. Also provided is a method for achieving superplasticity in titanium alloys comprising the steps of selecting a boron-containing titanium alloy, determining the temperature and strain rate necessary to achieve beta superplasticity, and applying sufficient temperature and strain rate to the boron-containing titanium alloy to deform the alloy to the desired shape. Also provided methods of forming titanium alloy parts and the parts prepared by these methods.

Abstract: An article made of an alloy, and a method for making the article, are presented. The alloy is substantially free of martensite, and comprises the following composition: at least about 75 weight percent titanium; up to about 10 weight percent of a beta stabilizing component; from about 3 weight percent to about 15 weight percent of an alpha stabilizing component; and from about 0.05 weight percent to about 5 weight percent germanium. Another embodiment is a method for fabricating an article. The method comprises providing a billet made of an alloy as described above, and stabilizing the billet microstructure to form a stabilized billet; the method may further comprise superplastically processing the stabilized billet to form a processed item.

Abstract: A method of superplastic forming of titanium packs and an associated assembly is provided. The titanium packs can include sheets having different granular structures so that the different sheets are adapted to superplastically form at different temperatures. One or more of the sheets can be formed at a temperature that is below the superplastic forming temperature of another sheet in the pack. In some cases, the occurrence of markoff can be reduced or eliminated.

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 nonrecoverable tensile strain greater than about 0.20% at or near the surface of selected regions in the nitinol metal article.

Abstract: A method of forming a component from a gamma-prime precipitation-strengthened nickel-base superalloy so that, following a supersolvus heat treatment the component characterized by a uniformly-sized grain microstructure. The method includes forming a billet having a sufficiently fine grain size to achieve superplasticity of the superalloy during a subsequent working step. The billet is then worked at a temperature below the gamma-prime solvus temperature of the superalloy so as to form a worked article, wherein the billet is worked so as to maintain strain rates above a lower strain rate limit to control average grain size and below an upper strain rate limit to avoid critical grain growth. Thereafter, the worked article is heat treated at a temperature above the gamma-prime solvus temperature of the superalloy for a duration sufficient to uniformly coarsen the grains of the worked article, after which the worked article is cooled at a rate sufficient to reprecipitate gamma-prime within the worked article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a sputter target. The process comprises the steps of—providing a target holder (12); —applying an intermediate layer (14) on said target holder; —applying a top layer (16) on top of said intermediate layer; said top layer comprising a material having a melting point which is substantially higher than the melting point of said target material; —heating the target holder coated with said intermediate layer and said top layer.

Abstract: A density reducing high carbon containing or UHC-steel and particular a superplastic steel, which besides iron and impurities conventionally accompanying steel, contains the following alloy components in wt. %: 0.8 to 2.5% C 3.5 to 15% Al 0.5 to 4% Cr 0.01 to 4% Si up to 4% Ni, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ta, V, and/or W, wherein the steel includes as additional alloy components 0.1 to 0.85 Sn, and 0 to 3% Ti, Be and/or Ga.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a superplastically formable strip or a superplastically formable foil from TiAl6V4 with a thickness of no more than 0.9 mm, preferably less than or equal to 0.5 mm, comprises the steps: a) hot rolling a sheet metal made of TiAl6V4; b) thermal pre-treatment of the hot-rolled sheet metal at a temperature between 650 and 850° C.; and c) cold rolling the hot-rolled and thermally pre-treated sheet metal at a forming rate of at least 30%, wherein the forming rate per single pass amounts to between 1 and 15%, to form a strip or a foil with a thickness of no more than 0.9 mm, wherein the cold-rolled strip or the cold-rolled foil is not annealed.

Abstract: In a method of bending a rod- or rod-like unfinished workpiece of a single crystal material of a Cu alloy the workpiece is bent at an elevated temperature so as to provide for a predetermined curvature and then the workpiece is further heated whereby the curvature is established but the superelasticity is lost, the workpiece is cooled down and then tempered at another raised temperature for at least one hour and is then immediately quenched in a cooling medium.

Abstract: Work hardened sheets of formable metal are annealed by thermal conduction and heated to a forming temperature. In a preferred embodiment, the sheet is placed on a flat surface of a heated lower platen to partially heat and soften the sheet and an opposing heated upper platen is brought close enough to the sheet to contribute heat but not to constrain the sheet as it expands. The platens are then both brought close to the sheet to heat it to its forming temperature largely by thermal conduction.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for heating a cold worked sheet of superplastically formable metal composition to recrystallize its microstructure to a formable condition and/or to heat the sheet to a temperature for an immediate forming operation. The sheet is placed between two electrical resistance heated platens maintained at a suitable temperature for recrystallizing and/or heating the metal sheet through its side surfaces. In a preferred embodiment a critical gap is maintained between the platens and the sheet to permit rapid conductive heating of the expanding sheet without marring its surfaces.

Abstract: Friction stir processing (FSP) modifies the surface microstructure of metals so that thick-section metal workpieces can be bent over large angles without formation of surface cracks. A thick 2519-T8 aluminum plate (25.4 mm thick and 50.8 mm wide) was friction stir processed across the pre-tensile surface to a depth of 6.3 mm, and was then bent at room temperature over a punch with radius 38.1 mm into a v-shaped die to an 80° bend angle. Whereas unprocessed workpieces of this type exhibited surface cracking at 31° bend angle and failed at 40° bend angle, no cracking was evident for the friction stir processed workpiece up to 80° bend angle.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for heating a cold worked sheet of superplastically formable metal composition to recrystallize its microstructure to a suitably formable condition and further to heat the sheet to a temperature for an immediate forming operation. The method utilizes a combination of hot air convection heating and infrared radiation to rapidly accomplish the heating. High temperature infrared heating elements provide most of the energy during an initial high heating rate phase and then those elements are shut off and heating is completed with controlled temperature hot air to prevent overheating of the sheet metal.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for heating a cold worked sheet of superplastically formable metal composition to recrystallize its microstructure to a formable condition and/or to heat the sheet to a temperature for an immediate forming operation. The sheet is placed between two electrical resistance heated platens maintained at a suitable temperature for recrystallizing and/or heating the metal sheet through its side surfaces. In a preferred embodiment a critical gap is maintained between the platens and the sheet to permit rapid conductive heating of the expanding sheet without marring its surfaces.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for heating a cold worked sheet of superplastically formable metal composition to recrystallize its microstructure to a suitably formable condition and further to heat the sheet to a temperature for an immediate forming operation. The method utilizes a combination of hot air convection heating and infrared radiation to rapidly accomplish the heating. High temperature infrared heating elements provide most of the energy during an initial high heating rate phase and then those elements are shut off and heating is completed with controlled temperature hot air to prevent overheating of the sheet metal.

Abstract: A shaped metallic component is formed by friction stirring at least a segment of a single piece of bulk metal to impart superplasticity thereto and thereby yield a single superplastic metal blank from the single piece of bulk metal. The metal blank is then deformed by a metal deformation process such as forging, rolling, drawing, bending, extruding, gas forming, punching, and stamping.

Abstract: A method of forming sheets of superplastically formable material into a three dimensional article, the sheets being joined together along diffusion bonds to form discrete cells, at least one gas path being provided through the bond between cells. The sheets are heated to a temperature at which they exhibit superplastic properties and a gas injected between the sheets to expand the cells, the gas paths allowing the injected gas to pass from cell to cell. The edges of the gas paths are locally heated to change the microstructure of the sheets in the edge areas, which reduces the flow resistance of the edges under superplastic forming conditions and thereby reduces the propensity of the diffusion bonds bordering the gas transfer holes to peel apart under the forces of the inert gas exerted on the sheets at the gas transfer paths.

Abstract: An information recording medium which ensures high reliability and favorable overwrite cyclability is provided, even when an interface layer is not provided between a recording layer and a dielectric layer. The recording layer 4 and the dielectric layers 2 and 6 are formed on the surface of the substrate 1. In the recording layer 4, a phase change is generated between a crystal phase and an amorphous phase by irradiation of light or application of an electric energy. The dielectric layers 2 and 6 are Zr—Cr—O-based material layers comprising Zr, Cr and O, preferably consisting essentially of material expressed, for example, with the formula (ZrO2)M(Cr2O3)100-M (mol %) wherein 20≦M≦80.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing magnesium alloys with a superplastic structure using a deformation process, followed by quick cooling. The magnesium-based alloy is initially pre-heated to a temperature of 340-380° C. and is subsequently deformed. The semi-finished product thus obtained is cooled down at high speed to an ambient temperature immediately after deformation.

Abstract: The superplastic forming of suitable metal alloy sheets into strong components, such as automobile body structures or panels, is improved and accomplished faster by simultaneously forming two or more substantially identical, relatively thin sheets, preferably about 2 mm or less in thickness, rather than a single sheet of the same overall thickness. For example, two or more layers of thin AA5083 sheets can be stretched formed together at about 500° C. with greater deformation and elongation than a single sheet of comparable thickness.

Abstract: Pre-straining and thermal recrystallization processes for maximizing formability in SPF sheet alloys of aluminum, magnesium, iron and titanium can be modified to form sheet products with roughened or textured surfaces for low-slip applications or coating adherence or decorative applications. By determination of suitable pre-strain levels and recrystallization/forming temperatures for s sheet metal stock, relatively large grained microstructures are formed in the sheet that yield useful surface texture during forming.

Abstract: Pre-straining and thermal recrystallization processes for maximizing formability in SPF sheet alloys of aluminum, magnesium, iron and titanium can be modified to form sheet products with roughened or textured surfaces for low-slip applications or coating adherence or decorative applications. By determination of suitable pre-strain levels and recrystallization/forming temperatures for s sheet metal stock, relatively large grained microstructures are formed in the sheet that yield useful surface texture during forming.

Abstract: In a joining method for a frame of spectacles, and in more particular to a method for joining a bridge or a temple to a lens rim, a joining method for a frame of spectacles comprises deforming a joining portion of a member made of a shape memory alloy material so as to be insertable into a pipe for joining the member to a lens rim, and joining the joining portion of the member to the pipe by returning the joining portion of the member to an original shape before the deformation after the member is inserted into the pipe.

Abstract: A method for producing new superplastic alloys by inducing in an alloy the formation of precipitates having a sufficient size and homogeneous distribution that a sufficiently refined grain structure to produce superplasticity is obtained after subsequent PSN processing. An age-hardenable alloy having at least one dispersoid phase is selected for processing. The alloy is solution heat-treated and cooled to form a supersaturated solid solution. The alloy is plastically deformed sufficiently to form a high-energy defect structure useful for the subsequent heterogeneous nucleation of precipitates. The alloy is then aged, preferably by a multi-stage low and high temperature process, and precipitates are formed at the defect sites. The alloy then is subjected to a PSN process comprising plastically deforming the alloy to provide sufficient strain energy in the alloy to ensure recrystallization, and statically recrystallizing the alloy.

Abstract: In order to obtain sheets made of a nickel-based superalloy of type 718 having properties of superplasticity, the sheets are manufactured with a final cycle comprising the steps of: a) solution treatment at 1060° C. for 15 minutes; b) precipitation at 730° C. to 800° C. for 1 to 2 hours; c) cold rolling at a ratio greater than 60%, and d) recrystallization at 900° C. for 30 minutes. Superplastic deformation of such sheets is carried out at about 970±10° C. and under pressures inducing stresses between 45 and 60 MPa.

Abstract: A method for making a superplastically formable, aluminum alloy product which consists essentially of: about 2-3.8 wt. % magnesium; at least one dispersoid-forming element selected from the group consisting of: up to about 1.6 wt. % manganese, up to about 0.2 wt. % zirconium, and up to about 0.3 w. % chromium; at least one nucleation-enhancing element for recrystallization selected from: about 0.11-1.0 wt. % silicon, up to about 1.5 wt. % copper, and combinations thereof. Said alloy product has greater than about 300% elongation at a strain rate of about 0.0001-0.003/sec and a superplastic forming temperature between about 1000-1100° F. due, in part to the preferred thermomechanical processing steps applied to its intermediate plate or slab product forms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a superplastic aluminum alloy in which fine particles not substantially dispersion hardening are dispersed in a sufficient amount to effect grain boundary pinning to suppress crystal grain growth during hot working thereby ensuring manifestation of superplasticity over wide ranges of working temperature and strain rate.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed is an aluminum alloy plate for super plastic molding capable of cold pre-molding before super plastic molding. The alloy plate comprises Mg at from 2.0 to 8.0% (weight %, the same shall apply hereinafter) Be at from 0.0001 to 0.01%, at least one of Mn at from 0.3 to 2.5%, Cr at from 0.1 to 0.5%, Zr at from 0.1 to 0.5% and V at from 0.1 to 0.5%. Additionally, the alloy plate may comprise an Fe amount and an Si amount each within a range of 0.0 to 0.2%; amounts of Na and Ca within ranges of 3 ppm or less and 5 ppm or less, respectively; while the remainder of the alloy plate consists of Al and inevitable impurities. The resulting alloy plate a crystalline structure is a non-recrystallized crystal structure; the 90° critical bending radius is 7.5 times the plate thickness or less; and the yield strength ratio before and after the final annealing is 70% or more. The invention also discloses production methods for the alloy plate.

Abstract: An alloy containing 3.0 to 8.0 wt. % of Mg, 0.001 to 0.1 wt. % of Ti, and amounts of Fe and Si (as impurities) as small as 0.06 wt. % or less, the balance being Al and unavoidable impurities, wherein the number per square millimeter of grains of an Al—Fe—Si compound having a diameter of 1 &mgr;m or more is 2000 or less, the mean crystal grain diameter is 25 to 200 &mgr;m and the elongation is 350% or more as worked at 350 to 550° C. and a strain rate of 10−2 to 100/s. This alloy may further contain a small amount of Cu, Mn and/or Cr and is formed at 350 to 550° C. and a strain rate of 10−3 to 100/s. An aluminum alloy sheet with excellent high strain rate superplastic formability and therefore capable of being formed at high temperature and high speed is obtained and the use of this sheet shortens the forming time to improve productivity.

Abstract: A Ni--Ti superelastic alloy demonstrates superelastic properties at normal temperatures from about 0 and 30.degree. C. The superelastic alloy allows shape alteration when the temperature is in excess of 40.degree. C. The Ni--Ti superelastic alloy is produced by plastic working a composition containing essentially Ni and Ti, and subjecting the composition to heat treatment at a temperature between 600 and 800.degree. C. to impart shape memory. When the Ni--Ti superelastic alloy is used in an eyeglass frame, it allows the shape of the pad arms to be adjusted at temperatures above about 40.degree. C.