Abstract: A hardening method for an annular workpiece made of metal includes a heating process that heats the annular workpiece to a hardening temperature; an analyzing process that obtains a diameter of the annular workpiece heated to the hardening temperature, and divides the heated annular workpiece into at least a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion based on the obtained diameter; and a cooling process that injects cooling liquid under an injection condition toward the annular workpiece that has been divided into at least the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion in the analyzing process such that a dimensional difference between the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion decreases, the injection condition for the large diameter portion being different from the injection condition for the small diameter portion.

Abstract: A method for controlling microbial growth in potable water stored in a vessel having a metallic surface includes heating the metallic surface to a temperature between about 480° C. (900° F.) and about 870° C. (1600° F.), exposing the metallic surface to oxygen during heating to oxidize potential reduction sites on the metallic surface and charging potable water containing silver ions to the vessel. A vessel having a metallic surface is prepared for long-term storage of potable water containing silver ions by heating the metallic surface to a temperature between about 480° C. (900° F.) and about 870° C. (1600° F.) and exposing the metallic surface to oxygen during heating to oxidize electropositive metals on the metallic surface or by treating the metallic surface with an aqueous solution containing on oxidizing agent to oxidize potential reduction sites on the metallic surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hydrogen out gas of a porous metal scaffold are disclosed. A method can comprise heating a porous metal scaffold for a period of time sufficient to remove at least a portion of a hydrogen concentration from the scaffold, subjecting the porous metal scaffold to a vacuum while heating it, flowing an inert gas through or around the porous metal scaffold while heating it, and enhancing a mechanical property of the porous metal scaffold. Heating of the porous metal scaffold can include maintaining a temperature of the scaffold between 1035° C. and 1065° C., inclusive. A system can comprise a reaction chamber, a heater, a gas feed, and a vacuum apparatus. The heater can be configured to heat the reaction chamber and the porous metal scaffold, while the gas feed and the vacuum apparatus respectively flow inert gas and subject the porous metal scaffold to a vacuum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat treating an article by delivering a heating flow of fluid to a localized region of the article, and simultaneously delivering a cooling flow of fluid to a further region of the article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the heat treatment of workpieces in a heat treatment furnace, wherein the treatment atmosphere in the heat treatment furnace is circulated. According to the invention, a propellant is injected into the heat treatment furnace in such a manner that the treatment atmosphere is essentially circulated by the injected propellant.

Abstract: A method is described for batchwise heat treatment of goods to be annealed which are heated in a heating chamber after scavenging air with a scavenging gas under protective gas to a predetermined treatment temperature, with the protective gas being conveyed through the heating chamber depending on the occurrence of impurities in different quantities. In order to enable the economic use of protective gas, it is proposed that the protective gas which is withdrawn from the heating chamber after the main occurrence of impurities and which is loaded with a residual quantity of impurities is conveyed, optionally after intermediate storage, into the heating chamber during the main occurrence of impurities of a subsequent batch before non-loaded protective gas is introduced into the heating chamber.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ceramic/metal composite structure includes the steps of: performing a multi-stage pre-oxidizing process on the copper sheet; placing the copper sheet on a ceramic substrate; and heating the copper sheet and the ceramic substrate to a joining temperature to join the copper sheet and the ceramic substrate together to enhance interface strength between the copper sheet and the ceramic substrate according to the multi-stage pre-oxidizing process. The multi-stage pre-oxidizing process includes a first stage of pre-oxidizing process and a second stage of pre-oxidizing process, and the first and second stages of pre-oxidizing processes are performed in atmospheres with different oxygen partial pressures and at different temperatures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for press hardening of a metal or an alloy wherein said metal is heated in a controlled furnace atmosphere which is essentially hydrogen-free and which comprises nitrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A method of heat treating stainless steel in the form of blanks, piping, tubing, strip, or wire-like material, after rolling the material, and in a heat treatment furnace at a temperature higher than about 900° C. The material is subjected to a preheating stage and a final heating stage, wherein in the preheating stage flames from burners are directed toward the surface of the material to impinge on the surface. Burners situated in the preheating stage are supplied with a fuel that burns with the aid of an oxidizing gas that contains gaseous oxygen. The material is held in the preheating stage long enough to obtain at least some degree of oxidation on the surface of the material, and the material is heated further in a following, final heating stage by burners situated in a furnace and that are supplied with a fuel and an oxidizing gas.

Abstract: In a method for the coating of a surface of at least one substrate with zinc in which the at least one substrate to be coated is heat treated together with zinc as the coating agent at a temperature between 200 and 500° C., wherein, before the start of the heat treatment in the reaction space in which the substrate to be coated is heat treated, the oxygen content in the atmosphere contained in the reaction space is set to less than/equal to 5 volume percent and the heat treatment is then started in the atmosphere obtained in this manner in the reaction space and the heat treatment is carried out in the reaction space, with no gas being supplied into the reaction space during the heat treatment or with no gas containing oxygen being supplied or with gas being supplied which has been pretreated so that it has an oxygen content of a maximum of 100 ppm.

Abstract: A method and process for at least partially forming a medical device that is at least partially formed of a novel metal alloy which improves the physical properties of the medical device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat treating an article by delivering a heating flow of fluid to a localised region of the article, and simultaneously delivering a cooling flow of fluid to a further region of the article.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for annealing or hardening of a metal or an alloy in a controlled furnace atmosphere, wherein said furnace atmosphere is a hydrogen-free atmosphere comprising nitrogen and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A method (112) of loading an expandable medical device in a low vapor environment. The method includes placing the device in a loading chamber (114) at, for example, room temperature and removing (116) from the chamber any undesirable contaminants such as water vapor that can form condensation on the device when the device is cooled for compression into a transfer tube or delivery catheter. The temperature in the chamber is lowered (118) to a temperature below the transition temperature (martensitic finish) of the device. The device is compressed (120) below its' transition temperature and loaded (122) into a delivery or transfer device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrical discharge electrode is disclosed as comprising an electrode outline body forming step of conducting a given mechanical machining on an electrode material to form an electrode outline body, an electrode outline body annealing step of annealing the electrode outline body at least one time for removing residual stress therefrom, and an electrode segment forming step of removing a surrounding wall portion from an electrical discharge portion of the electrode outline body by wire electrical discharging to form an electrode segment portion with a given wall thickness and shape.

Abstract: A heating system includes a furnace configured to receive a product to be thermally treated within the furnace, where the furnace includes at least one burner to generate combustion gases from a source of oxygen and a carbon-based fuel source provided to the burner, and the combustion gases provide heat to the product disposed within the furnace. A gas pipeline delivers a heated inert gas into the furnace at a location proximate the product so as to at least partially surround and protect a surface of the product and minimize or prevent the product from chemically reacting with other gases within the furnace.

Abstract: A method for reducing surface particle shedding of a material, specifically a suspension mounting arm for a hard disk drive, made of an alloy such as 300 Series stainless steel, by thermally conditioning the mounting arm for a desirable time period sufficient to reduce residual stress in the mounting arm while substantially maintaining its original yield strength characteristics. To ensure fabrication free from oxidation and contamination, the contained heat source can be oxygen depleted by evacuating the interior of the container to a sub-atmospheric pressure or by filling the interior of with an inert gas such as argon or a reducing gas, such as hydrogen. After thermal exposure, the material is cooled to an ambient temperature. The resulting material exhibits adequate stiffness and yield strength for assembly and operation in a hard disk drive.

Abstract: A hot object is quenched after heat treatment. A hot gas stream having at least 20% by volume of hydrogen is taken from for example a carburising chamber of a furnace. The gas is cooled by passage through a heat exchanger, and is compressed in a compressor. The compressor has an aftercooler (not shown) to remove heat of compression from the gas. The cooled, compressed gas flows through nozzles into a quenching chamber. The gas leaves the nozzles at a velocity of at least 50 m/s and impinges upon the hot metal object so as to effect its quenching.

Abstract: A method for heat treating at least one workpiece, such as a coated turbine engine component, is provided. The method comprises the steps of cleaning a furnace to be used during the heat treating method, which cleaning method comprising injecting a gas at a workpiece center location and applying heat, and diffusion heat treating the at least one workpiece in a gas atmosphere with the gas being injected at the workpiece center location. After the diffusion heat treatment step, the coated workpiece(s) may be subjected to a surface finishing operation such as a peening operation.

Abstract: Small hot metal objects such as engineering components are quenched in gas by tumbling them in an upward flow of gas distributed uniformly from a multiplicity of openings 18 in the horizontal floor 4 of a quenching chamber 2. The tumbling is performed for a sufficient period of time for the objects to be quenched to a desired temperature. The quenching chamber 2 has a lower region 8 through which the flow of quenching gas is at an uniform velocity and an upper region 10 in which the velocity of the quenching gas is decreased.

Abstract: A process for forming a metallic article having a black ornamental surface includes the steps of metallurgically providing an alloy containing between about 51 and 70 about percent by weight of titanium, between about 3 and about 17 percent by weight of niobium, and the balance of a metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium, tantalum, molybdenum, hafnium zirconium, chromium, and mixtures thereof. The alloy is then casted and/or metal worked into a workpiece having a desired geometry and surface texture. The workpiece thereof is then baked in a kiln or oven in a substantially air atmosphere of between about 450 and about 850 degrees C. for a period of between about one and about 29 minutes. Resultant of such baking, there is produced a durable black surface layer consisting substantially of an oxide of niobium which is adhered to the substrate of the workpiece which remains unoxidized.

Abstract: A hot meal object is quenched after heat treatment. A hot gas stream comprising at least 20% by volume of hydrogen is taken from for example a carburising chamber (4) of a furnace (2). The gas is cooled by passage through a heat exchanger (16), and is compressed in a compressor (18). The compressor (18) has an aftercooler (not shown) to remove heat of compression from the gas. The cooled, compressed gas flows through nozzles (26) into a quenching chamber (6). The gas leaves the nozzles (26) at a velocity of at least 50 m/s and impinges upon the hot metal object so as to effect its quencing.

Abstract: A method for quenching metallic workpieces in a furnace space, includes subjecting a metallic workpiece to a heat treatment process in an evacuated furnace space. Before a quenching gas or mixture is passed into the furnace space, hydrogen is supplied to the still evacuated furnace space. The amount of hydrogen supplied to the furnace space is limited so that, depending on (1) the quenching pressure, (2) the gas temperature at the end of the quenching process, and (3) the composition of the quenching gas or mixture, a hydrogen concentration below the explosive limit is reached in the quenching gas or mixture. The quenching gas or mixture contains an inert gas or a mixture of inert gases, such as nitrogen, argon and/or helium.

Abstract: In the present invention, an alloy temperature of a hydrogen storage alloy in the final stage of a hydrogen desorption process (T2) is made to a temperature higher than an alloy temperature of the hydrogen storage alloy in the initial stage of the hydrogen desorption process (T1) (T2>T1) and the alloy temperature in the final stage (T2) is controlled to a temperature where a hydrogen pressure at a boundary point between a plateau region of a PCT curve and an inclined region adjacent thereto is 0.08 MPa or more.

Abstract: According to the invention, hydrogen absorbed in a PCT curve low pressure region not desorbed and utilized so far can be desorbed easily by controlling a hydrogen storage alloy temperature in the final stage of a hydrogen desorption process (T2) to a temperature higher than the hydrogen storage alloy temperature in the hydrogen absorption process (T0) and a hydrogen storage alloy temperature in the initial stage of the hydrogen desorption process (T1) (T2>T1≧T0).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quenching a material. The apparatus includes a support for receiving the material; and an outlet adjacent the support for impinging a fluid against a first section of the material. The apparatus increases a cooling rate of the first section relative to a cooling rate of a second section of the material, preferably minimizing a differential between the cooling rate of the first section and the cooling rate of the second section.

Abstract: A method for quenching a heated metallic object includes discharging a plurality of discrete gas streams from a plurality of nozzle outlets so that the gas streams impinge substantially uniformly over the outer surface of the object, the distance between each nozzle outlet and the outer surface of the object against which the associated gas stream impinges is less than or equal to half the diameter of the nozzle outlet.

Abstract: A system useful for superadiabatic combustion generation of a reducing atmosphere for metal heat treatment includes a superadiabatic reactor which supplies a reducing atmosphere to a metal heat treatment apparatus.

Abstract: In heat-treating a metallic alloy containing volatile metals such as zinc, manganese, chromium, aluminium, and so on in a tunnellike continuous furnace, argon is employed as a furnace atmosphere so that a pressure selectively produced by the argon atmosphere in the furnace is utilized for preventing the volatile metals from evaporating out of the metallic alloy during its heat-treatment. The argon employed as the furnace atmosphere and having a specific gravity higher than the air prevents also the air from entering into the furnace, and works also to purge the air which has happened to come into the furnace together with the metallic alloy, whereby the furnace atmosphere is kept constantly inert.

Abstract: In a heat treating method and furnace used in this method which can prevent disturbance of an atmosphere gas inside a heat chamber, and can prevent deterioration of the processing quality and efficiency of work, a control section 4 first operates a vacuum pump VP to reduce the inner pressure of a purge chamber 3 to a predetermined pressure level, then manipulates a large and small caliber operating valve (13a, 13b) to supply the atmosphere from the interior of the heat chamber 1 to that of the purge chamber 3, and the control section 4 actuates transporting means 5 to transport the work W between the purge chamber 3 and the heat chamber 1 in a state wherein the inner pressures of the purge chamber 3 and the heat chamber 1 have been rendered substantially equal on the basis of detected values from first and second pressure sensors PS1, PS2.

Abstract: Systems useful for superadiabatic combustion generation of a reducing atmosphere for metal heat treatment include a superadiabatic reactor which supplies a reducing atmosphere to a metal heat treatment apparatus. In one aspect, the reactor includes a porous medium and a start-up heater in the flow path of the gas that is to be heated. In another aspect, the gas is passed through a porous medium in alternating, opposite directions by the control of valves which lead the gas to and from the medium. In yet another aspect, a gas inflow pipe leads into an insulated porous bed from which the gas flows in a counter flow manner around the inflow pipe.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an acoustic vibration plate includes molding titanium metal into a shape of an acoustic vibration plate in order to obtain a titanium vibration plate, and performing a heat treatment on the titanium vibration plate by a ceramic-formation step, thereby to change entirely the titanium vibration plate into titanium oxide.

Abstract: A method of controlled quenching of light metal castings in a liquid bath has castings in the liquid bath subjected, from below, at least temporarily, by a rising flow of gas bubbles. The gas bubbles are generated in situ in a uniformly distributed way at the base of the liquid bath.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing wear-resistant boride layers on metal material surfaces. The process is characterized in that a boron halide selected from the group comprising boron trifluoride, boron tribromide, boron triiodide and their mixtures is mixed with hydrogen and optionally argon and/or nitrogen, in order to produce a reaction gas containing between 0.1 and 30 vol % boron halide. The resultant mixture is activated by a plasma discharge whereby boron is transferred from the plasma to the metal surface.

Abstract: Methods for quenching a heated metallic object comprising discharging a plurality of discrete gas streams from a plurality of nozzle outlets such that the gas streams impinge substantially uniformly over the outer surface of the object, wherein the distance (a) between each nozzle outlet and the outer surface of the object against which the associated gas stream impinges is less than or equal to half the diameter (d) of the nozzle outlet.

Abstract: Process to avoid adhesions during the annealing of non-ferrous metal alloys, comprising the heating, holding and cooling phases, whereby the material being annealed is exposed to an inert or oxidizing protective-gas atmosphere during the structure transformation, as a result of which a thin oxide layer is formed during this time on the surface of the material being annealed and/or an oxide layer that was previously there is maintained, thus preventing the non-ferrous metal objects from adhering together.

Abstract: A protective atmosphere for the heat-treatment of metals is obtained by heating a reactor containing a Nickel-based catalyst to a temperature of between 1000.degree. C. and 1200.degree. C., feeding to the reactor a flow of nitrogen having an oxygen content of between 0.1% and 9% and a flow of hydrocarbons that is substantially stoichiometric to the content of oxygen in the flow of nitrogen to obtain CO and H.sub.2, and sending the gas from the catalytic reactor (2) to a heat-treatment furnace (1). The flow of hydrocarbons is interrupted periodically or by command while maintaining the flow of nitrogen, and is resumed after a preset or calculated time.

Abstract: Steam is contacted with a hydrogen absorbing alloy in a temperature range from 200.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. With a contact catalytic reaction of water, a metal contained in the hydrogen absorbing alloy is changed to an oxide or a hydroxide. Hydrogen produced causes the Ni compound to be reduced and thereby the Ni metal that is catalytically active is produced. Thus, the surface of the hydrogen absorbing alloy is activated. The steam is contained in an inert gas or a reductive gas. This treatment method is suitable as an activation treatment for a hydrogen absorbing alloy used as an active material of a negative electrode of a secondary battery.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of heat-treating an oxygen-sensitive workpiece to minimize any oxidation of the workpiece, as well as an improved door seal specially suited for use with oxygen-sensitive products. In the method, an oven has an oven chamber and an outer housing, with an enclosure being defined therebetween. The workpiece is placed in the oven chamber and the chamber is sealed. Heated inert gas is circulated within the enclosure to heat the oven chamber and to hold it at a desired treatment temperature. The oven chamber is then cooled to a threshold temperature of the workpiece using inert gas. The chamber is then cooled further by circulating aerobic gas, preferably ambient air, within the enclosure. Another embodiment of the invention provides an oven with a housing forming an oven chamber, the oven chamber having a door opening in one of said walls.

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: A method of tempering powdered metallurgical constructs, that includes first deoxygenating and dehydrating powdered metal compacts before tempering. During the process, the sintered compacts are first preheated to a temperature that desorbs water vapor and oxygen from interstitial spaces of the compact, while not accelerating the rate of oxidation of any metal component. Once deoxygenation and dehydration has been achieved, the compact is heated to a tempering temperature in a substantially oxygen and water vapor-free environment and is maintained at that temperature until tempering is complete. Substantially oxygen and water-vapor free environmental conditions are maintained while the tempered compacts are cooled, to avoid post-oxidation. The resultant tempered powdered metal devices have increased strength, ductility and better machinability than conventionally tempered constructs.

Abstract: A method for producing metallic semifinished products such as strip or wire rom metallic work materials which have a high melting point and are difficult to shape, comprising the steps of a) first, alloying at least one element for lowering the melting point with a material that has a high melting point and is difficult to shape; b) then, producing the semifinished product from the alloy with the reduced melting point in the form of strip or wire directly from the melt by quick solidification; and c) finally extracting the elements alloyed with the material in method step a) from the semifinished product by heat treatment in a reactive atmosphere.

Abstract: A workpiece is heated by first forming an ionized gas plasma around the workpiece. A positive potential is applied to the workpiece to accelerate electrons from the plasma into the workpiece. The workpiece is uniformly surface heated by the energy directed into the workpiece by the electrons. The workpiece is cooled by providing a flow of a pressurized liquid material such as carbon dioxide having a triple point. The liquid material is expanded through a nozzle to form solid particles that contact the surface of the workpiece and remove heat from it by subliming.

Abstract: Superalloy articles are made more oxidation resistant by a process which includes heat treating the article in the presence of foreign chemical species, at a temperature at which the foreign chemical species reacts with and modifies any oxide film present on the article surface. The heat treatment is best carried out at a temperature above the gamma prime solvus temperature of the article and below the incipient melting temperature of the article. Alternatively, the heat treatment may be carried out within the range defined by the incipient melting temperature of the article and about 150.degree. C. below the incipient melting temperature of the article. At such temperatures the foreign chemical species reacts with and modifies the oxide film on the article surface. Sulfur is then able to diffuse through such modified film, and a more oxidation resistant component is produced.