Abstract: A heat-resistant magnesium alloy member having specially excellent molding property and elongation while keeping creep resistance property, which comprises 2 to 6% by weight of aluminum and 0.5 to 4% by weight of calcium, and the balance comprising magnesium and inevitable impurities, having a Ca/Al ratio of no more than 0.8, preferably no more than 0.6. The method of preparing the heat-resistant magnesium alloy member is characterized in a semi-solid injection molding at a range between a solidus temperaaature of the alloy and a liquidus temperature of the alloy.

Abstract: A light metal alloy material has excellent plastic workability. The method of producing the light metal alloy material comprises a light metal as a matrix, which is injection-molded at a solid phase proportion of not more than 20%. The injection molded material has a limiting upsetting rate of not more than 70% and excellent moldability. This injection molded material can be molded into a final molded article by means of single-step forging.

Abstract: A magnesium alloy material includes magnesium; more than 1 wt. % manganese; and at least one sp-metal selected from the group consisting of zinc, cadmium, mercury, gallium, indium, thallium, germanium, tin, lead, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth, wherein the manganese and the at least one sp-metal together are a maximum of 5 wt. % of the alloy material. The magnesium materials are resistant to corrosion and are especially useful in articles exposed to aqueous electrolytes during use or production.

Abstract: Disclosed is a very light-weight, Mg and Be-based material which has the ability to reversibly store hydrogen with very good kinetics. This material is of the formula (M.sub.1-x A.sub.x) D.sub.y wherein M is Mg, Be or a combination of them; A is an element selected from the group consisting of Li, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Al, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, In, Sn, O, Si, B, C and F; D is a metal selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir and Pt (preferably Pd); x is a number ranging from 0 to 0.3; and y is a number ranging from 0 to 0.15. This material is in the form of a powder of particles of the formula M.sub.1-x A.sub.x as defined hereinabove, having an average size ranging from 0.1 to 100 .mu.m, each particle consisting of nanocrystalline grains having an average size of 3 to 100 nm or having a nano-layered structure with a layer spacing of 3 to 100 nm. Some of these particles have clusters of metal D attached thereto, with an average size ranging from 2 to 200 nm.

Abstract: Methods for making an aluminum drive shaft for automobiles or trucks or other drive shaft applications from aluminum alloy tube and methods for making drive shafts. The method includes providing an aluminum tube member is joined to drive shaft end members. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a 6000 series type alloy; (b) extruding the alloy within about 500.degree. to 800.degree. F. into a hollow elongate tube; (c) drawing the tube to a reduction of at least 15% in metal cross-sectional area; (d) solution heat treating the alloy at a temperature of at least about 990.degree. F. and then quenching; and (e) reducing the diameter of the tube and increasing the tube wall thickness to provide a relatively short tube length of reduced diameter, a transition section and thicker wall thickness at one or both ends of a drive shaft suitable length of said tube. The transition section has a non-linear wall. In a preferred embodiment, the transition section has central circumferential stiffener section.

Abstract: An article of manufacture made of a magnesium alloy is made by casting the magnesium alloy to provide a billet, forging the billet to render material of the billet to have an average crystalline particle size of not greater than 100 .mu.m; and carrying out a T6 treatment (a solution treatment and an artificial aging treatment) with respect to the billet. Physical properties such as, for example, the tensile strength, elongation and the like of the article are considerably improved by virtue of the synergistic effect of the micronized crystalline particles and the T6 treatment.

Abstract: A method for preparing controlled phase alloys useful for engineering and hydrogen storage applications. This novel method avoids melting the constituents by employing vapor transport, in a hydrogen atmosphere, of an active metal constituent, having a high vapor pressure at temperatures .apprxeq.300 C. and its subsequent condensation on and reaction with the other constituent (substrate) of an alloy thereby forming a controlled phase alloy and preferably a single phase alloy. It is preferred that the substrate material be a metal powder such that diffusion of the active metal constituent, preferably magnesium, and reaction therewith can be completed within a reasonable time and at temperatures .apprxeq.300 C. thereby avoiding undesirable effects such as sintering, local compositional inhomogeneities, segregation, and formation of unwanted second phases such as intermetallic compounds.

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 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: Disclosed is a practical magnesium based alloy containing 1 to 99 weight % beryllium and an improved method of semi-solid processing of magnesium alloys containing beryllium. The present method avoids agitation of molten alloys and the need for introducing shear forces by utilizing atomized or ground particles of beryllium mixed with solid, particulate or liquidus magnesium.

Abstract: Procedure for the production of a thixotropic magnesium alloy by adding a grain refiner combined with controlled, rapid solidification with subsequent heating to the two-phase area. It is preferable to use a solidification rate of >1.degree. C./s, more preferably >10.degree. C./s. It is essential that the solidification takes place at such a speed that growth of dendrites is avoided. Heating to the two-phase area is carried out rapidly in 1-30 minutes, preferably 2-5 minutes. By heating an alloy comprising 2-8 weight % Zn, 1.5-5 weight % RE, 0.2-0.8 weight Zr balanced with magnesium to a temperature in the two-phase area after casting, the structure will assume a form in which the .alpha.-phase is globular (RE=rare earth metal). The size of the spheres will be dependent on the temperature and the holding time at that temperature and they will be surrounded by a low-smelting matrix. It is preferable that the alloy has a grain size of not greater than <100 .mu.m, more preferably 50-100 .mu.m.

Abstract: An aluminum material is surface-treated with an aqueous solution containing 0.005 mol/lit. or more of a chelating agent and 5 g/lit. or more of an organic amine and having 100 ppm or less of phosphoric acid radical ion concentration and 500 ppm or less of sulfuric acid radical ion concentration, until its surface has a color tone (S) of:S=(X.sup.2 +(3.388Z-3Y.sup.2).sup.1/2.gtoreq.70wherein X, Y and Z represent the tristimulus values of color.The aluminum material can be surface-treated while setting the treating conditions on the basis of a specific color tone detectable by colorimetry, without relying on experience and intuition. The surface-treated aluminum material can have a good anticorrosion, have good color change preventive properties, a good adhesion of coatings and a beautiful surface appearance.

Abstract: An article of manufacture made of a magnesium alloy is made by casting the magnesium alloy to provide a casting, forging the casting to render material of the casting to have an average crystalline particle size of not greater than 100 .mu.m, and carrying out a T6 treatment (a solution treatment and an artificial aging treatment) with respect to the casting. Physical properties such as, for example, the tensile strength, elongation and the like of the article are considerably improved by virtue of the synergistic effect of the micronized crystalline particles and the T6 treatment.

Abstract: A process for producing an amorphous alloy material characterized by imparting ductility to an amorphous alloy having a supercooled liquid region by giving a prescribed amount of strain at a prescribed strain rate to the alloy in the glass transition temperature region of the alloy. The amorphous alloy may be in the form of spherical or irregular-shaped powders or thin ribbons or in the form of primary consolidated shapes thereof or an amorphous alloy casting. The amount of strain and strain rate are preferably 50% or greater and 2.times.10.sup.-2 /sec or higher, respectively, and the worked amorphous alloy material is preferably allowed to cool in a furnace or spontaneously. Suitable examples of the amorphous alloy to be employed include Al-TM-Ln, Mg-TM-Ln, Zr-TM-Al and Hf-TM-Al alloys, wherein TM is a transition metal element and Ln is a rare earth metal element. The thus obtained amorphous alloy is greatly improved in the prevention of embrittlement in hot working peculiar to the alloy.