Abstract: A rigid die insert for forming and shaping a working material. The rigid die insert comprises a nickel-base superalloy, preferably Rene 95. A plurality of gamma prime particles are uniformly distributed throughout the rigid die insert, which has a Rockwell hardness Rc of between about 48 and about 52. The invention also includes a method of treating a rigid die insert comprising a nickel-base superalloy to reduce crack propagation and raise yield stress. The method comprises the steps of: providing the rigid die insert; dissolving larger gamma-prime particles in the rigid die insert; and growing additional gamma-prime particles of smaller particle size in the rigid die insert, whereby the particle size of each of the plurality of gamma-prime particles is refined, thereby reducing crack propagation and raising the yield stress of the rigid die insert. A method of refining the particle size of gamma-prime particles in a Rene 95 superalloy is also disclosed.

Abstract: A biaxially textured face-centered cubic metal article having grain boundaries with misorientation angles greater than about 8° limited to less than about 1%. A laminate article is also disclosed having a metal substrate first rolled to at least about 95% thickness reduction followed by a first annealing at a temperature less than about 375° C. Then a second rolling operation of not greater than about 6% thickness reduction is provided, followed by a second annealing at a temperature greater than about 400° C. A method of forming the metal and laminate articles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A manufacturing method, particularly a heat treatment method of a Ni-based alloy having sulfidation-corrosion resistance used for component members of corrosion-resistant high-temperature equipment, that is, Waspaloy (a trademark of United Technologies) or its improved Ni-based alloy wherein the high temperature sulfidation-corrosion resistance of the alloy can be improved while maintaining hot strength properties is disclosed. A Ni-based alloy used for the method consists essentially of 0.005 to 0.1% C, 18 to 21% Cr, 12 to 15% Co, 3.5 to 5.0% Mo, not more than 3.25% Ti and 1.2 to 4.0% Al (expressed in mass percentage), with the balance substantially comprising Ni. In the manufacturing method of a Ni-based alloy having improved sulfidation-corrosion resistance, the alloy is, after solution heat treatment, subjected to stabilizing treatment at a temperature not lower than 860° C. and not higher than 920° C. for 1 to 16 hours, and aging treatment at a temperature not lower than 680° C.

Abstract: A process for treating the surface of a component prior to coating. The component is made from a Ni based superalloy designed for high temperature service. Both the component and the coating include the elements Al and/or Cr. The process includes depleting the outer surface of the component of any one or a combination of Al, Ti or Cr and thereafter applying the coating directly on the depleted surface. The process minimizes the formation of a brittle gamma prime phase within the interdiffusion zone during service of the component. The process can also be used to renew old damaged coatings.

Abstract: Improved targets for use in DC magnetron sputtering of nickel or like ferromagnetic face-centered cubic (FCC) metals are disclosed for forming metallization films having effective edge-to-edge deposition uniformity of 5% (3&sgr;) or better. Such targets may be characterized as having: (a) a homogeneous texture mix that is at least 20% of a <200> texture content and less than 50% of a <111>texture content, (b) an initial pass-through flux factor (%PTF) of about 30% or greater; and(c) a homogeneous grain size of about 200 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: A novel shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator which responds to changes in ambient temperature. The actuator is capable of operating bidirectionally over a smaller temperature range than conventional SMA actuators by taking advantage of the R-phase characteristics of the SMA material. A coiled SMA spring 14 is provided with an enabled R-phase by limiting recoverable strain in the SMA material to less than about 1 percent. The force of the SMA spring 14 is counteracted by a non-SMA spring 15. The stronger of the two springs 14, 15 controls the position of an actuating element 13, with SMA spring 14 being the stronger spring while in its austenitic phase and being the weaker spring while in its R-phase. Triggering the actuator with entry into the R-phase rather than the martensitic phase during cooling reduces the hysteresis normally associated with an SMA actuator, allowing the actuator to react bidirectionally to smaller changes in ambient temperature.

Abstract: A nickel-base single-crystal superalloy, essentially consists of, in percentages by weight, 4.0% to 11.0% of cobalt, 3.5% to less than 5.0% of chromium, 0.5% to 3.0% of molybdenum, 7.0% to 10.0% of tungsten, 4.5% to 6.0% of aluminum, 0.1% to 2.0% of titanium, 5.0% to 8.0% of tantalum, 1.0% to 3.0% of rhenium, 0.01% to 0.5% of hafnium, 0.01% to 0.1% of silicon, and a balance being nickel and inevitable impurity, a total amount of rhenium and chromium being not less than 4.0% and a total amount of rhenium, molybdenum, tungsten and chromium being not more than 18.0%.

Abstract: Large sections of solution annealed, precipitation hardenable alloys which are resistant to internal cracking yet fully hardenable can be produced if, during rapid quenching, the temperature of the section is allowed to stabilize immediately above the alloy's solvus temperature before the section is rapidly quenched. Preferably, the temperature of the section is allowed to stabilize a second time, this time at an elevated temperature not so high that significant phase changes occur, before the section is cooled to ambient.

Abstract: A hydrogen storage material which is an AB5 type hydrogen storage alloy having a CaCu5 type crystal structure represented by general formula: MmNiaMnbAlcCod wherein Mm denotes a misch metal, 4.0<a≦4.3, 0.25≦b≦0.4, 0.25≦c≦0.4, 0.3≦d≦0.5, and 5.05≦a+b+c+d≦5.25, or general formula: MmNiaMnbAlcCodXe wherein Mm denotes a misch metal, X is Cu and/or Fe, 4.0<a≦4.3, 0.25≦b≦0.4, 0.25≦c≦0.4, 0.3≦d≦0.5, 0<e≦0.1, and 5.05≦a+b+c+d+e≦5.25, characterized in that the lattice length on the c-axis is 404.9 pm to 405.8 pm.

Abstract: A nickel-based fine grained alloy consisting essentially of 40-55 wt % Ni, 14.5-21 wt % Cr, 2.5-5.5 wt % Nb+Ta, up to 3.3 wt % Mo, 0.65-2.00 wt % Ti, 0.10-0.8 wt % Al, up to 0.35 wt % Mn, up to 0.07 wt % C, up to 0.015 wt % S, up to 0.35 wt % Si, at least 0.016 wt % P, from 0.003 % to 0.030 wt % B, and the balance Fe and incidental impurities, has a high stress rupture life.

Abstract: Large gas turbine blades made from separate cast segments of superalloys are disclosed. The turbine blade is designed such that bond lines between adjacent segments are placed in low stress regions of the blade. The cast superalloy segments of the blades are aligned and fitted together with specified tolerances. The turbine blade segments are then joined by transient liquid phase bonding, followed by a controlled heat treatment which produces the desired microstructure in the bond region. The method allows for the production of large, high quality turbine blades by joining small, high quality cast superalloy sections, in comparison with prior attempts to cast large turbine blades as single pieces which have produced very low yields and high individual component costs.

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 of bonding cast superalloys is disclosed. The method includes the steps of casting separate superalloy component parts, machining the mating surfaces of the separate parts in a controlled manner to avoid recrystallization of the material and to ensure a tight fit between the parts, bonding the parts together, and thermally treating the bonded component. In a preferred embodiment, the component is a turbine blade for a land-based gas turbine.

Abstract: A heat treatment for hot or cold worked 725 corrosion resistant Ni-base alloys to increase the room temperature yield strength of the material to above about 140 ksi (965 MPa). The material is useful for oil patch and gas turbine applications. The process includes annealing the material at about 1825° F. (996° C.) for about 1.5-4 hours, age hardening the material at about 1400° F. (760° C.) for about 3.0 to 10.5 hours to precipitate double gamma prime, furnace cooling the material about 50° F. (28° C.) to 100° F. (56° C.) per hour and heat treating the material at about 1200° F. (649° C.) for about 4.0 to about 12.5 hours.

Abstract: The present inventions offer a nickel-based single crystal alloy which has a high strength, is easy in conducting the solution heat treatment, hardly gives a harmful phase and is resistant to corrosion at high temperature.

Abstract: Machineable nickel base alloy casting, consisting essentially of, in weight %, about 12.5% to 15% Cr, about 9.00% to 10.00% Co, about 3.70% to 4.30% Mo, about 3.70% to 4.30% W, about 2.80% to 3.20% Al, about 4.80% to 5.20% Ti, about 0.005% to 0.02% B, up to about 0.10% Zr, and balance essentially Ni and carbon below about 0.08 weight % to improve machinability while retaining alloy strength properties after appropriate heat treatment.

Abstract: A Ni-base directionally solidified alloy casting is produced by casting a Ni-base directionally solidified alloy having a composition of 10 to 14 wt. % Co, 2 to 3 wt. % Cr, 1.5 to 2.5 wt. % Mo, 5 to 6.5 wt. % W, 5.7 to 6.5 wt. % Al, 5.5 to 6.5 wt. % Ta, 4.5 to 5.0 wt. % Rd, 0.01 to 1.5 wt. % Hf, 0.01 to 0.30 wt. % C, 0.01 to 0.03 wt. % B, and the balance of Ni and inevitable impurities. The Ni-base directionally solidified alloy casting is subjected to a solid solution treatment process at a temperature in the range of 1250 to 1300° C. Then the Ni-base directionally solidified alloy casting is subjected to a two-stage aging process for aging the Ni-base directionally solidified alloy casting at a temperature in the range of 750 to 1200° C.

Abstract: Reversible hydrogen storage alloys and methods and electrodes formed therefrom for nickel metal hydride batteries, in which the alloys are quenched from a melt at cooling rates selected to provide a high degree of disorder with an optimum local environment.

Abstract: A process for cutting coked metal includes cutting with a flame or by electrowelding after the coked metal has been heated sufficiently to relieve stresses in the metal.

Abstract: There is provided a property recovering method which can be applied to a high-temperature member whose properties such as strength and ductility have been deteriorated by the long-term use at a high temperature to recover its properties to those before the use, enable its reuse, and contribute to the effective use of resources and the conservation of environment. A Ni-base heat resistant alloy having a particular composition, whose properties have been deteriorated by heat history, is subjected to first-stage solution treatment, in which the alloy is held at a temperature of 1175 to 1225° C. for 1 to 5 hours and then furnace-cooled, then subjected to second-stage solution treatment, in which the alloy is held at a temperature of 1115 to 1165° C. for 1 to 5 hours and then air-cooled, and further subjected to aging treatment, in which the alloy is held at a temperature of 810 to 860° C. for 22 to 26 hours.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nickel-base single-crystal superalloy applied to parts for industrial gas turbine or the like such as turbine rotor blade and stator blade which are used at high temperatures, a method for manufacturing the same, and gas turbine parts prepared from such nickel-base single-crystal superalloys, and more particularly the invention provides a nickel-base single-crystal superalloy consisting essentially of, in percentages by weight, 5% to 10% cobalt, 4.7% to 6% chromium, more than 2.0% to less than 3.5% molybdenum, 7.5% to 10% tungsten, 5% to 6% aluminum, 0.1% to 2% titanium, 4% to 5.5% tantalum, 1% to 4% rhenium, 0.01% to 0.2% hafnium, the balance being nickel and incidental impurities, which is excellent in high-temperature strength and high-temperature corrosion resistance, and further excellent in structural stability even in a long time use.

Abstract: Provided is a process for improving alloy properties which can improve the high-temperature ductility of a Ni-base heat-resisting alloy while maintaining its excellent high-temperature strength and weldability.

Abstract: A preweld heat treatment for precipitation hardenable IN939 nickel base superalloy having a gamma matrix and gamma prime strengthening phase dispersed in the matrix comprises heating the nickel base superalloy at about 2120 degrees F. for a time to solution gamma prime phase followed by slow cooling to below about 1450 degrees F. at a rate of about 1 degree F./minute or less, and cooling to room temperature. The preweld heat treatment eliminates strain age cracking at base metal weld heat-affected zone upon subsequent heat treatment to develop alloy mechanical properties.

Abstract: A process for treating nitinol so that desired mechanical properties are achieved. In one embodiment, the process comprises the steps of exposing the nitinol to a primary annealing temperature within the range of approximately 475.degree. C. to 525.degree. C. for a first time period, and thereafter exposing the nitinol to a secondary annealing temperature within the range of approximately 550.degree. C. to 800.degree. C. for a second time period. The invention also includes nitinol articles made by the process of the invention.

Abstract: An oxidation-resistant alloy for use in a high-temperature or thermal cycling environment. The alloy comprises a nickel-based matrix having a solid solution of 19-23% chromium and 3-6% aluminum. A self-healing, thermodynamically stable oxide layer is formed upon a surface of the alloy which is exposed to an oxidizing atmosphere over a range of temperatures for extended periods of time. The oxide layer protects the alloy from the oxidizing atmosphere. Additions of calcium and yttrium are made to the matrix to substantially remove or stabilize oxygen and sulfur dissolved in the molten alloy. These additions result in retention of about 0.005-0.05% of calcium and 0.01-0.06% yttrium in the cast alloy. The matrix further includes about 2-8% iron to inhibit nucleation and growth of a "gamma prime" nickel aluminum intermetallic compound which would otherwise adversely harden the alloy and cause local disturbance of a uniform distribution of aluminum. The alloy has a VHN below about 350.

Abstract: Monolithic metal oxide structures, and processes for making such structures, are disclosed. The structures are obtained by heating a metal-containing structure having a plurality of surfaces in close proximity to one another in an oxidative atmosphere at a temperature below the melting point of the metal while maintaining the close proximity of the metal surfaces. Exemplary structures of the invention include open-celled and closed-cell monolithic metal oxide structures comprising a plurality of adjacent bonded corrugated and/or flat layers, and metal oxide filters obtained from a plurality of metal filaments oxidized in close proximity to one another.

Abstract: Castings based on the nickel aluminide intermetallic alloy IC-221M were melted and poured with an addition of enough molybdenum to bring its concentration to 5 weight %. This resulted in a minimization or elimination of the nickel-zirconium eutectic phase in the dies machined and prepared from these castings. The benefit of eliminating or minimizing the nickel zirconium eutectic phase with the addition of measurable amounts of molybdenum (Mo) to the nickel aluminide (Ni.sub.3 Al) alloy is the increase in the useful service life of the tooling made from it; thus providing the advantages of increased productivity, enhanced quality and reduced costs in a manufacturing setting. Heat treatment of the dies machined and prepared from these castings was also undertaken. The heat treatment regimen includes solution treatment at 2100.degree. F. for 24 hours and aging from between 1150.degree. F. and 1300.degree. F. for between 12 to 24 hours.

Abstract: Heat treated, spray formed articles are disclosed which exhibit crack growth rates and resistance to stress rupture comparable to corresponding, forged articles. The articles are first formed by depositing molten metal droplets, e.g., of IN 718, on a substrate to form a rough article. The articles are HIP'ed and then processed by heat treating, which includes solution, stabilization and precipitation heat treatments. The resultant articles have fine average grain sizes compared to forged and conventionally heat treated material, as well as yield and tensile strengths comparable to forged material. Importantly, the articles also exhibit low crack growth rates and stress rupture resistance, e.g., comparable to forged material, and have an isotropic microstructure. The articles can be used in place of forged articles.

Abstract: A spiral balloon perfusion catheter assembly having a retaining wire and method of making the balloon. Also, a retaining wire for such a catheter and method of forming the retaining wire. A typical spiral catheter balloon has a spiral configuration of lobes and channels mounted on a catheter extending beyond the balloon ends. A retaining wire formed from a shape memory alloy is configured to have a central region having a spaced spiral configuration conforming to the spiral balloon channel and end regions configured to have a contiguous spiral configuration conforming to the catheter diameter. When placed over a spiral balloon, the central spiral region prevents expansion of the channel when the balloon is inflated, while the end regions secure the retaining wire to the catheter. Preferred shape memory alloys comprise nickel and titanium.

Abstract: Castings based on the nickel aluminide intermetallic alloy IC-221M were melted and poured with an addition of enough molybdenum to bring its concentration to 5 weight %. This resulted in a minimization or elimination of the nickel-zirconium eutectic phase in the dies machined and prepared from these castings. The benefit of eliminating or minimizing the nickel zirconium eutectic phase with the addition of measurable amounts of molybdenum (Mo) to the nickel aluminide (Ni.sub.3 Al) alloy is the increase in the useful service life of the tooling made from it; thus providing the advantages of increased productivity, enhanced quality and reduced costs in a manufacturing setting. Heat treatment of the dies machined and prepared from these castings was also undertaken. The heat treatment regimen includes solution treatment at 2100.degree. F. for 24 hours and aging from between 1150.degree. F. and 1300.degree. F. for between 12 to 24 hours.

Abstract: In the present invention, a hydrogen absorbing alloy containing at least nickel, cobalt and aluminum, in which the sum a of the respective abundance ratios of cobalt atoms and aluminum atoms in a portion to a depth of 30 .ANG. from its surface and the sum b of the respective abundance ratios of cobalt atoms and aluminum atoms in a bulk region inside thereof satisfy conditions of a/b.gtoreq.1.30, or a hydrogen absorbing alloy containing at least nickel, cobalt, aluminum and manganese, in which the sum A of the respective abundance ratios of cobalt atoms, aluminum atoms and manganese atoms in a portion to a depth of 30 .ANG. from its surface and the sum B of the respective abundance ratios of cobalt atoms, aluminum atoms and manganese atoms in a bulk region inside thereof satisfy conditions A/B.gtoreq.1.20 is used for a hydrogen absorbing alloy electrode in an alkali secondary battery.

Abstract: A nickel base superalloy, having either columnar or equiaxed grain structure, which has significantly improved resistance to hydrogen embrittlement, and to fatigue in air. The material is processed so as to be essentially free of script type carbides, .gamma./.gamma.' eutectic islands and porosity. The processing includes heat treating above the .gamma.' solvus temperature to solution the script type carbides and eutectic islands, followed by HIP to eliminate the porosity.

Abstract: A process for the production of a superelastic material out of a nickel and titanium alloy, characterized by the fact that it consists in obtaining an ingot starting from a mixing of nickel and titanium consisting in 55.6%.+-.0.4% in weight of nickel and to proceed with a thermal treatment of martensite plaquettes generation by subjecting said ingot during 5 to 45 minutes to a temperature comprised between 480 and 520.degree. C. The process allows the obtaining of a truly superelastic material at room temperature.

Abstract: A coated Ni base superalloy article is provided with improved microstuctural stability under a coating at least partially diffused into an article surface portion, by avoiding the formation, after exposure to elevated temperatures, of a constituent called SRZ which can affect detrimentally mechanical properties of the article. Such avoidance can result from neutralizing stress in the article surface portion prior to coating, for example by physically removing the stressed portion or by recrystallizing the stressed portion to a fine grained structure which subsequently can be consumed by diffusing elements in a coating method. Also, such avoidance can result from maintaining a Re segregation factor, Re.DELTA., between dendrite cores and interdendritic regions of the alloy cast structure at no greater than about 40%.

Abstract: A method for repairing an environmental protective coated article portion of a gas turbine engine article made of a Ni base superalloy including Cr and at least about 6 wt. % total of Al and Ti comprises removing the coating, exposing the article portion to a reducing mixture of gases including, by weight, greater than 6% up to about 20% hydrohalogen gas with the balance principally hydrogen gas, and preferably about 10-15 wt. % hydrogen fluoride gas. Exposure is at a temperature in the range of about 1600.degree.-2000.degree. F. for a time, greater than about 2 hours, and preferably about 2-10 hours, sufficient to remove from within the article portion metal sulfides, Al, Ti, oxides of Al or Ti, or their combinations. Then the article portion is recoated. One form relates to weld repairing the article portion by removing Al or Ti or both to a depth up to about 0.003".

Abstract: Columnar grain and single crystal nickel base superalloys are heat treated to provide a damage tolerant microstructure. The microstructure contains large, irregularly shaped "barrier" .gamma.' particles interspersed in an ordered array of smaller cuboidal .gamma.' particles in a .gamma. phase matrix. The barrier particles interrupt the progression of cracks through the microstructure. The invention process includes solutioning the .gamma.' phase, cooling slowly to a temperature about 50.degree. F. to 150.degree. F. (28.degree. C. to 83.degree. C.) below the .gamma.' solvus temperature, further cooling at a rate of at least about 100.degree. F. (56.degree. C.) per minute to less than 1000.degree. F. (538.degree. C.), reheating to 1975.degree. F. to 2000.degree. F. (1079.degree. C. to 1093.degree. C.) and holding for about four to six hours, cooling at 100.degree. F. (56.degree. C.) per minute to less than 1000.degree. F. (538.degree. C.), and heating to 1600.degree. F..+-.25.degree. F. (871.degree. C..+-.14.

Abstract: In a heat treatment process for material bodies made of nickel base superalloys, in particular for monocrystals made of nickel base superalloys, the heat treatment of the material body comprises the following steps: annealing at 850.degree. C. to 1100.degree. C., heating to 1200.degree. C., heating to a temperature of 1200.degree. C.<T.ltoreq.1300.degree. C. at a heat-up rate of less than or equal to 1.degree. C./min, and a multistage homogenization and dissolution process at a temperature of 1300.degree. C..ltoreq.T.ltoreq.1315.degree. C.

Abstract: Stepper motor of the type comprising a rotor (1), a stator (2) and a coil (3) consisting of a magnetic core (4) and of a winding (5), in which the stator (2) consists of a soft magnetic alloy of the FeNiCr type, the chemical composition of which includes, by weight: 40%.ltoreq.Ni+Co.ltoreq.60%, 0%.ltoreq.Co.ltoreq.7%, 8%.ltoreq.Cr.ltoreq.13.5%, 8%.ltoreq.Cr+Mn+Si+Mo+Nb+V+W.ltoreq.13.5%, the remainder being iron and impurities resulting from the manufacture. Soft magnetic alloy.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for forming aluminide diffusion coatings containing reactive elements on metal substrates such as iron, nickel or cobalt based alloys for protection against high temperature oxidation or corrosive environments. The process includes depositing a mixed metal coating containing aluminum and at least one reactive element onto the metal substrate and heat treating the coated substrate to induce interdiffusion of elements between the substrate and the deposited metal coating. In one aspect of the invention, the reactive element is yttrium and the metal coating is deposited by ion plating yttrium-aluminum by thermal evaporation from a yttrium-aluminum source. The coated substrate is heat treated between 500.degree.-1200.degree. C. to form a reactive element modified-aluminide diffusion coating having a thin outer Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 coating formed thereon.

Abstract: The method of the invention produces nickel structures from nickel-coated polymer substrates. The nickel-coated polymer substrate has a nickel outer layer and initially has a temperature where the outer nickel layer lacks burst openings. Rapidly exposing the nickel-coated polymer substrate to a temperature of at least about 600.degree. C. thermally decomposes the polymer substrate and bursts holes through the outer nickel layer. The gases resulting from the thermally decomposed polymer substrate escape through the holes through the outer nickel layer to leave a nickel structure. Finally, annealing the nickel structure increases strength of the nickel structure to produce a ductile foam product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalytic fuel composition capable of reducing pollutants in the combustion gasses generated upon combustion of the same. A catalytic material is combined with a liquid, petroleum-based fuel, mixed and solid particles are separated out to give the catalytic fuel product. The catalytic material predominantly comprises a plagioclase feldspar belonging mainly to the albiteanorthite series, and contains small amount of mica, kaolinite and serpentine, and optionally contains magnetite. An alloy material is also disclosed, comprising a mixture of the above-described catalytic material and a metal. The alloy material exhibits unique properties relative to the metal component alone, such as increased tensile strength, improved heat resistance, improved acid resistance, improved corrosion resistance, as well as exhibiting unusual conductive properties.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the tendency for thermally induced porosity within a .gamma.' precipitation strengthened nickel-base superalloy which has been processed to obtain a uniform and coarse grain microstructure. This method is particularly useful for forming components such as gas turbine compressor and turbine disk assemblies in which optimal mechanical properties, such as low cycle fatigue and creep resistance, are necessary for operating at elevated temperatures within a gas turbine engine. The method generally entails alloying a .gamma.' precipitation strengthened nickel-base superalloy to have a boron content of not more than about 0.02 weight percent, and then forming a billet by melting an ingot of the superalloy in an argon gas atmosphere and atomizing the molten superalloy using argon gas. The above atomizing technique encompasses both powder metallurgy and spray forming processes.

Abstract: A method for the densification of a shaped nickel base single crystal alloy article utilizing a pre-HIP, a hot isostatic pressing (HIP) step, and post-HIP solution heat treatment to enhance removal of casting porosity in a finished article.

Abstract: A cyclic heat treatment for eliminating the tendency of moderately deformed superalloys to recrystallize is described. The superalloys are subjected to a temperature cycle including a period at a high temperature and a period at a low temperature. The resultant heat treated articles are resistant to recrystallization at temperatures above the gamma prime solvus temperature.

Abstract: A coated article is prepared by melting and casting an article substrate formed of a nickel-base superalloy. The article substrate is heated in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere at a temperature of at least 2000.degree. F. for a period sufficient to desulfurize the substrate to a sulfur content of less than about 1 part per million. Optionally, an aluminum-oxide environmental coating is provided overlying the substrate. A ceramic thermal barrier coating is applied overlying the substrate. Significantly, there being no bond coat applied to the substrate prior to the application of the thermal barrier coating.

Abstract: A method of heat treating articles cast of a superalloy, comprising a nickel-base alloy capable of forming a chromium carbide precipitate, such as INCONEL 939.TM.. The method includes selective heating of the article to cause chromium and carbon nuclei in the lattice of the crystals in the superalloy to go into solution, and selective cooling of the article to cause the formation of discrete chromium carbide nuclei along the grain boundary of the crystals. Additional heating steps may be performed to enhance the size of the chromium carbide nuclei. Articles so treated have improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: A process for differentially heat treating a turbine disk of a gas turbine engine so as to produce a dual property disk. The process is applicable to superalloy disks, and achieves substantially uniform yet different temperatures in the rim and hub of the disk during heat treatment, so as to attain specific and different properties for the rim and hub. The process includes the steps of heat treating the entire disk to achieve a uniform structure having a fine grain size and fine precipitates. A device for heating the rim of the disk is then disposed at the disk's periphery, such that the rim is maintained at a substantially uniform temperature above the gamma prime solvus temperature of the superalloy so as to dissolve gamma prime precipitates present in the rim and cause grain growth in the rim.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pre-weld overageing heat treatment for nickel-based superalloys, where the alloy is heated to solutionization temperature for a time sufficient to dissolve the gamma prime phase of the alloy microstructure, then slowly cooled with periods of intermittent heating, so that the gamma prime phase reprecipitates as coarse equiaxed particles, and the presence of fine sized gamma prime phase particles is substantially avoided. The present invention is also directed to a welding method wherein said pre-weld overageing treatment is used.

Abstract: A hydrogen absorbing alloy represented by the general formula R.sub.1-x A.sub.x (Ni.sub.5-y B.sub.y).sub.z wherein R is Mm (misch metal) or La, A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ce, Nd, Pr, Sm and Y, B is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Sn, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Cu, 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.5, 0<y.ltoreq.1.0 and 0.8.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.1.2. The alloy is prepared by subjecting an alloy material of the above composition to a heat treatment so that when the plateau region of the resulting hydrogen absorbing alloy is expressed by a normal cumulative distribution function wherein the hydrogen content of the alloy is taken as frequency and the logarithm of the equilibrium hydrogen pressure of the alloy as a random variable, the alloy is at least 0.04 to up to 0.10 in standard deviation .sigma..

Abstract: A nickel base superalloy capable of being made into a single crystal article is provided with high temperature strength and improved stability by limiting the presence of an undesirable SRZ constituent. Significant to the control of formation of such undesirable constituents is the control of the amount of Re in the alloy in combination with elements such as Al, Cr, Ta, Mo, Co and W. A solution heat treatment is provided for additional control.