Abstract: In a method for producing machine elements of steel having a carbon content of 0.3 to 1.1%, blanks are heated to austenitizing temperature and austenitized, quenched for the formation of martensite, heated from room temperature to a maximum tempering temperature, and immediately after reaching said maximum temperature cooled to room temperature to attain a hardness of 45 to 65 RHC and finish-machined to machine elements.

Abstract: An electrified object contact material characterized in that an oxide film formed in a high purity oxidizing atmosphere with a thickness from several tens to 100 .ANG. is formed at least in a section directly contacting an electrified object. By using the contact component according to the present invention, the electric potential of a wafer can always be suppressed to 50 V or less, and moreover, contamination of a wafer (especially by a metallic material) can completely be eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method of controlling the microstructure and service properties of electrically conductive transparent and other materials by passing an electrical current through the materials while simultaneously employing an additional process. Examples of the additional process include heating, sintering, deposition, casting, electrical arcing, and immersion in liquids. In one embodiment of the present invention, the additional process is deposition of a transparent conductive coating material while passing a current through the deposited coating along the surface of the coated material.

Abstract: Zircaloy 2 or 4 strip is heat treated in the beta range, followed by rapid cooling by passing the strip between a first and second roller pair, each roller pair having two oppositely disposed rollers gripping the strip. Each roller pair is connected to a source of an electric current so as to complete an electric circuit including the source, the roller pairs and the strip, which causes heating of the strip to the beta range. The strip is heated at a rate less than 40.degree. C./sec between 750.degree. and 1000.degree. C., held at 1000.degree.-1100.degree. for less than 2 minutes and cooled at a rate of at least 40.degree. C./sec between 1000.degree. C. and 600.degree. C.

Abstract: An induction-hardening machine for the contour hardening of cross-axis, intersecting-axis and nonintersecting-axis gears such as hypoid gears includes a programmable logic control unit, a source of quench liquid and a high-frequency induction generator which are operably connected to a high-frequency induction coil which is disposed at an inclined angle above the horizontally disposed workpiece (hypoid gear). Fluid connections are made between the source of quench liquid and the induction coil for the rapid delivery of quench liquid. The support platform for the hypoid gear is connected to a rotary drive motor and with the hypoid gear rotating at approximately 900 to 1800 RPM the induction coil is energized with four low energy pulses of relativley short duration. The final heating step is a high energy pulse followed immediately by the quenching step.