Abstract: Sputtering targets are cryogenically annealed to provide a uniformly dense molecular structure by placing the target in a temperature-controlled cryogenic chamber and cooling the chamber to a cryogenic temperature at a controlled rate. The target is maintained at a cryogenic temperature to cryogenically anneal the target and the target is subsequently returned to ambient or elevated temperature. Improvements in sputtered particle performance and early life film uniformity are achieved with the cryo-annealed targets.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating aluminum alloy sputtering targets having fine precipitates of a second phase material in small, randomly oriented and uniform grains. The method provided includes the steps of homogenizing the aluminum alloy billet at a temperature above the solidus temperature, deforming the billet, recrystallizing the billet at a temperature below the solidus temperature, and cryogenically deforming the billet. This minimizes second-phase precipitate size and prevents the formation of cubic structures, thereby generating fine uniform grain sizes having random orientation.

Abstract: A method for controlling oxygen in valve metal materials. The method includes deoxidizing a valve metal material, typically tantalum, niobium, or alloys thereof, and leaching the material in an acid leach solution at a temperature lower than room temperature. In one embodiment of the present invention, the acid leach solution is prepared and cooled to a temperature lower than room temperature prior to leaching the deoxidized valve metal material. The method of the present invention has been found to lower both the oxygen and fluoride concentrations in valve metal materials, as the use of reduced acid leach temperatures provide lower oxygen for a given quantity of a leach acid, such as hydrofluoric acid.

Abstract: A method for treating firearm barrels and components to achieve an end result of increased accuracy and extended barrel life. The method involves placing the firearm barrels and components into cryogenic processing and heat treating equipment. The processing temperature is then significantly lowered to about -300 F. and maintained for a predetermined time. The processing temperature is then raised back to ambient temperature. After achieving ambient temperature the processing temperature is then raised to about +300 F. and maintained for a predetermined time. Finally the processing temperature is lowered back to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an alloy sputtering target having fine precipitates of the second phase material and small, randomly oriented and uniform grains. The new method includes solution treatment to minimize second-phase precipitate size, cryo-deformation to prevent the formation of cubic structures and recrystallization to generate fine uniform grain sizes having a random orientation.

Abstract: A ceramic thermal barrier coating layer for a superalloy article is caused to adhere to the superalloy article by applying platinum to the superalloy article and heat treating at a temperature of 1100.degree. C. to 1200.degree. C. for one hour. This causes aluminum to diffuse from the superalloy article into the platinum to form a platinum enriched outer layer which generally includes a platinum enriched gamma phase and a platinum enriched gamma prime phase. An alumina layer is formed between the platinum enriched outer layer and a ceramic coating. The platinum enriched gamma phase and the platinum enriched gamma prime phase in the outer layer reduces the migration of transition metal elements to the ceramic coating to enable a very pure alumina layer to be formed.

Abstract: A method of treating vehicular brake pads to increase the wearability of the pads by allowing them to absorb and dissipate more energy with each use. The method involves a controlled thermal cycling process which lowers the temperature of the pads to about -300.degree. F. and holding the pads at this temperature for a predetermined time. The pads are then gradually warmed to room temperature (72.degree. F.).

Abstract: A high strength, high toughness stainless steel consisting, by weight, of C more than 0.16% but less than 0.25%, Si not more than 2.0%, Mn not more than 1.0%, Ni not more than 2.0%, Cr from 11 to 15%, Mo not less than 0.5% but less than 3.0%, Co from 12 to 21%, at least one kind selected from the group consisting of V from 0.1 to 0.5% and Nb less than 0.1% which at least one kind is added as occasion demands, and the balance Fe and incidental impurities. This steel is produced by a method comprising the steps of: preparing a stainless steel having the composition of any one of the claims 1 to 4; subjecting the stainless steel to a solution heat treatment at a temperature of 950.degree. to 1150.degree. C.; quenching the steel; subjecting the steel to a sub zero treatment at a temperature of -50 to -100.degree. C.; and subjecting the steel to a tempering at a temperature of 120.degree. to 450.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for treating spark plugs to increase the horsepower output of an internal combustion engine. The method involves significantly lowering the temperature of the plugs to about -300.degree. F. and keeping the plugs at this temperature for a predetermined time. The temperature is then raised back to room temperature (about 72.degree. F.). After the treated plugs have reached room temperature they may be slowly heated to about +300.degree. F. and held at that temperature for a predetermined time before being gradually cooled back to room temperature.

Abstract: A process for treating an article of metal containing material such as tool steel so as to improve the properties such as shockability, wearability, stability and hardness of the article. In one embodiment, the process comprises immersing the article at ambient temperature into liquid cryogenic material for a time period up to or equal to a set time period equal to the minimum cross-sectional dimension in inches times ten minutes. The article is then withdrawn from contact with the liquid cryogenic material and immediately subjected to a flow of air sufficient to raise the temperature of the article to ambient temperature in a period of time equal to or less than ten minutes plus ten minutes per minimum cross-sectional dimension in inches.