Abstract: A surface processing method includes the step of increasing a surface hardness of a metal having a nominal composition that includes about 0.21-0.25 wt % carbon, about 2.9-3.3 wt % chromium, about 11-12 wt % nickel, about 13-14 wt % cobalt, about 1.1-1.3 wt % molybdenum, and a balance of iron from a first hardness to a second hardness. For example, the method is used to produce a surface-hardened component that includes a core section having a first hardness between about 51 HRC and 55 HRC and a case section having a second hardness that is greater than the first hardness.

Abstract: A medical device includes an alloy having a microstructure that provides desirable properties. The alloy can be a eutectoid composition of e.g. titanium as a major constituent and any combination of iridium, platinum, chromium, gold, silver, bismuth, manganese, palladium, cobalt, copper, iron, and/or nickel as a minor constituent, wherein the alloy forms at least a portion of the medical device.

Abstract: A conductive foamed roller includes a metal shaft portion and a conductive foamed rubber portion. The conductive foamed roller has a permanent compressive strain of equal to or less than 1.75%.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are zirconium-base alloys excellent in both corrosion resistance and hydrogen absorption property, useful as materials for nuclear reactors. Such a zirconium-base alloy for nuclear reactors comprises 0.5-2 wt. % Sn, 0.07-0.6 wt. % Fe, 0.03-0.2 wt. % Ni, 0.05-0.2 wt. % Cr, and the balance being zirconium and unavoidable impurities, wherein the Fe content (X wt. %) of the zirconium-base alloy and the mean size (Y nm) of precipitates in the zirconium-base alloy are present in a region on the x (Fe content X) and y (mean precipitate size) rectangular coordinates, surrounded by the following five lines: i) Y=−444×X+154, ii) Y=910×X−46, iii) Y=0, iv) Y=300, and v) X=0.6.

Abstract: A composition of matter includes a changed underlying electronic structure of a mass or matter containing a ‘p’, ‘d’ and/or ‘f’ atomic orbital. The structural change is accompanied by changes in energy or mass or both.

Abstract: A process of producing a gold decorative item, including, sequentially producing an alloy of gold, silver, copper and zinc, forming the gold alloy into a specific shape according to the design of the decorative item and polishing the surface of the decorative item so formed, submerging the decorative item in an acid solution and etching its surface to form a scale pattern, submerging the decorative item in an alkaline solution removing unwanted substances formed on the surface during etching.

Abstract: A method for creep cavity shrinkage and/or porosity reduction without applied stress. The thermal treatment is found to increase the rate of densification relative to isothermal annealing, allowing for more rapid recovery of desired theoretical density in a shorter time.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an anode for use in a cell for the electrowinning of aluminium comprises oxidising before cell operation an iron-nickel alloy substrate in an oxygen-containing atmosphere, such as air, at a temperature which is at least 50° C., preferably 100° C., above the operating temperature of the cell to form on the surface of the iron-nickel substrate a coherent and adherent iron oxide-containing outer layer, in particular a hematite-containing layer having a limited ionic conductivity for oxygen ions and acting as a partial barrier to monoatomic oxygen. The outer layer is electrochemically active for the oxidation of oxygen ions and reduces also diffusion of oxygen to the iron-nickel alloy substrate when the anode is in use.

Abstract: In the formation of a double oxide film of Li element and a metal element other than Li element, a metal body of the metal element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, V, Fe, Cr and Al is immersed in an alkaline solution containing Li ion to conduct a hydrothermal reaction between the metal body and Li ion, whereby a double oxide film is formed on the surface of the metal body.

Abstract: Process for stainless steel pickling consisting in placing the material to be treated in a bath kept at a temperature ranging from 30.degree. C. to 70.degree. C. and containing:a) HClb) Fe.sup.3+c) HFd) emulsifiers, wetting agents, polishing agents, acid attack inhibitors;the bath being fed continuously with:an air flow equal to at least 3 m.sup.3 /h per m.sup.3 bath min. and an oxidizer quantity adjusted to the bath redox potential to be kept at 250 mV min.

Abstract: A process for producing coherent twin, incoherent twin, low angle tilt, high angle tilt or CSL grain boundaries in materials is described. A planar material or a planar substrate coated with the polycrystalline material is heated in selected areas so as to provide a temperature gradient in the substrate. The temperature gradient is sufficiently large and maintained for a sufficient time so that preferential nucleation occurs and recrystallization in the plane of the polycrystalline material takes place such that coherent twin, incoherent twin, low angle tilt, high angle tilt or CSL boundaries between chains of grains growing along lines of equal temperature are produced.

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

Abstract: In a method of fabricating an integrated semiconductor light modulator and laser device, a semiconductor layer having first and second regions of different crystal compositions is produced on each chip region of a semiconductor wafer by a selective crystal growth using, as a mask, a dielectric film having a prescribed pattern. Thereafter, a semiconductor laser and a light modulator that modulates laser light emitted from the semiconductor layer are produced in a first semiconductor region and a second semiconductor region, respectively, of each chip region. In this method, the shape of the dielectric mask pattern and the shape of the opening of the mask pattern on each chip region is symmetrical with the dielectric mask pattern and opening of an adjacent chip region along the optical waveguide direction of the semiconductor laser.

Abstract: A method of producing a thixotropic material is provided which consists of deforming a fully solidified metal or metal alloy below its temperature of recrystallization by cold or warm working such as extrusion or rolling. The deformed material is then caused to recrystallize by heating and the temperature is either further raised or subsequently raised above the solidus of the material so that the recrystallized structure partially melts to provide discrete particles which spheroidize in the liquid matrix to provide a material which behaves thixotropically. The flow characteristics of the material are such that lower forming loads are required and weaker non-metallic die materials may be used.

Abstract: This plasma arc torch includes an improved front end assembly to create an improved gouge path when compared with prior art plasma arc gougers. The front end assembly includes a unique secondary gas nozzle for distribution of the secondary gas in a partial radial blanket up to 300.degree. around the plasma. Conventional nozzles distribute the seondary gas in a total, 360 degree, blanket around the plasma. An improved tip design is believed to develop an enlarged plasma stream to further enhance the gouging process.

Abstract: An improved system for underwater oxy-arc cutting of a work piece, and a unique cutting rod used in such cutting work. This rod has an outer ferrous metal tube which contains a metal liner, which liner may in turn be comprised of a plurality of metal wires spaced in a circular pattern along the inner circumference of the tube. Oxygen is passed through a central passageway within the tube near but less than at sonic flows to avoid arc bounce. DC current (200-400 amperes) flows between the rod and work piece to form an arc consuming the rod at a rate between about 0.09-0.20 inches per second. The cross-sectional areas of the tube and the wires are about equal and the central passageway is less than one-half of either the tube or wires in cross-sectional areas. The rod is made (non-thermic) by sealing the tube about the wires or by use of aluminum or copper wires. Optimized parameters in underwater cutting of the work piece is applied, i.e. cutting rate, oxygen consumption, current magnitude and rod consumption.

Abstract: The surface and/or subsurface defects of the surface to be treated are detected, preferably over the entire said surface. The defects are eliminated by scarfing with a torch and/or by milling, following which the treated surface is inspected and cleaned. The detection, elimination, inspection, and cleaning devices are maneuvered by means of programmable robots or automatons controlled by a computer. The process may be applied on-line to hot, moving products (e.g., rolled or continuous cast products).

Abstract: An inspection track is scarfed by moving a burner across a flat surface of a steel slab, particularly a slab of ductile steel of deep-drawing quality, to enable sub-surface inspection of the slab. To achieve accurate control of the depth of the track, the burner is mounted on a burner carriage having at least one skid surface which contacts the slab surface of the slab at an unscarfed region thereof. A guide track is spaced from the slab surface and the carriage is moved with said skid making sliding contact with the slab surface while guided by said guide track. The skid surface makes substantial contact pressure with the slab surface so that scale on the slab surface is pushed aside and/or crushed by the skid surface, whereby the burner is maintained at a substantially constant distance from the slab surface.

Abstract: During the flame cutting of a workpiece, a slag bead is produced and is removed by a scarfing burner directed only towards the cut surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to the surface stripping treatment of objects consisting of iron with a high carbon content, the surface stripping treatment being carried out by means of a flame which is directed at the surface and which is formed by the combustion of a heating gas with oxygen, there being also provided in the impingement zone of the flame a gas which flows at a slower velocity than the heating gas and the oxygen and which also reacts endothermically with at least one component of the flame gases.

Abstract: A method for producing a molten puddle on the surface of a metal workpiece to be scarfed consists of igniting a mixture of fuel gas and oxygen. The resultant flame is used for heating a steel wire to a temperature of from 900.degree. to 1450.degree. C., whereupon the steel wire is intermittently fed into a stream of scarfing oxygen to produce droplets of molten metal, which are then transferred by a flow of scarfing oxygen on to the work surface. There is provided apparatus for carrying into effect the above method, which comprises a housing having ducts for supplying a fuel gas and oxygen formed on its periphery; an additional duct for supplying a fuel gas being made in the central part of the housing; a duct for feeding steel wire is provided in the housing in coaxial arrangement with the additional fuel gas supply duct; a scarfing oxygen feeding duct formed in the housing is interposed between the oxygen supply duct and the additional fuel gas supply duct.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of selective crack removal from ingots and slabs, and the torch for carrying out the method.The method comprises burning surface impurities with a jet of oxygen, the strength and shape of which vary continually according to the characteristics of the defect to be removed. The torch for carrying out the method has an oxygen nozzle which is divided into a plurality of parallel pipes, the supply of gas to the pipes being controlled individually.The method allows cracks to be removed economically and rapidly from metallurgical products such as ingots and slabs.

Abstract: A flaw detecting unit inspects the surface of a red-hot steel material, the nail marking unit drives steel nails into the flaw in response to the flaw detection signal, and a scarfing unit scarfs the flaw starting from the nails in response to the scarfing command signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for surface fusion treatment of artificial stone products. The device comprises anode and cathode assemblies of a plasma generator forming an arc discharge along the plane of the surface to be treated, the anode and cathode assemblies being mounted separately. In the device, the anode and the cathode are made as round rods disposed to each other and rotating about their axes in opposite directions as viewed from the working zone. Arranged between the anode and the cathode is a screen having a gas-permeable bottom to feed a plasma gas therethrough to the working zone, thereby forcing the arc discharge against the surface being treated. The screen is mounted at right angles to the axes of the anode and the cathode and is movable along the axes by a reciprocating-motion drive, the arc discharge moving together with the screen.

Abstract: In a method of producing a grain-oriented electromagnetic steel sheet, a laser beam is irradiated onto the steel sheet, which has been subjected to a final high temperature annealing in order to approximate the crystal orientation of the sheet in a (110), [001] orientation. Because of the laser beam irradiation, regions of high dislocation density are locally formed in the steel sheet and subdivide the magnetic domains, with the result that a low watt loss is achieved.

Abstract: A method for spot scarfing a metal workpiece comprising continuously producing a pilot puddle on the surface of the workpiece, spreading the pilot puddle to a preselected width with a high intensity stream of oxygen gas, and impinging a stream of scarfing oxygen gas on the spread puddle and an apparatus to practice same.

Abstract: A method of forming and collecting slag products in connection with gas planing, at which method the melt is moved in an ambient atmosphere through such a distance, that the substances in the melt are oxidized and/or cooled so much prior to their collecting, that there is no risk that the products at their collecting are sintered together.

Abstract: A process for spot scarfing the surface of a metal workpiece comprising:(a) impinging a stream of pilot oxygen gas upon a portion of the workpiece which is at least at its oxygen ignition temperature, said stream of pilot oxygen gas being narrower than the width of a desired scarfing cut,(b) causing relative motion between said workpiece and said stream of pilot oxygen gas, so as to continuously produce a pilot puddle of molten metal along a chosen path on the surface of the workpiece,(c) contacting said pilot puddle with a high intensity stream of oxygen gas so as to spread the puddle to a preselected width when said puddle reaches an area to be spot scarfed on the surface of said workpiece, and(d) scarfing said area by impinging a stream of scarfing oxygen gas on the spread puddle, said stream of scarfing oxygen gas being wider than the pilot oxygen stream.

Abstract: A laser is used to cut slots into a film deposited on a substrate so that a clean kerf is produced without harming the substrate. The laser cut vaporizes the film material as the removal mechanism and some of the vaporized material will redeposit over the surface of the film adjacent to the kerf. When the redeposited material is illuminated and viewed obliquely a series of light fringes can be observed. The laser focus is adjusted until the fringe pattern is symmetrical about the kerf. The laser power is adjusted until the fringes extend to about three times the kerf width on both sides of the kerf. This provides a precision nonsubjective means for adjusting laser focus and power.

Abstract: An apparatus for the control of the carburizing of parts under vacuum in a acuum furnace, with which as a carbon carrier a hydrocarbon gas is introduced controlled in the furnace. A detector detects the occurrence of a soot mist formation. Upon the occurrence of the soot mist a feeder for the hydrocarbon addition is completely or partially interrupted. The detector cooperates with the feeder such that the hydrocarbon addition is again received when the soot mist formation has decayed.

Abstract: An apparatus for flamescarfing the surface of a workpiece includes a powder supply device having a powder container connected via a shut-off valve to a powder distributor which is connected via hoses with nozzles mounted on the flamescarfing burner.

Abstract: An installation (10) for handling a workpiece W.sub.1 including a first station (12) for loading a workpiece, a second station (14) for working on the workpiece, a third station (16) for unloading the workpiece, and a conveyor (18), extending in a closed loop about the first and second stations, for transporting the workpiece from the first to the second station. The conveyor is a track of the type used on earthmoving equipment such as tractors, and whose tension is adjustable by a hydraulic cylinder arrangement (26-32) to lower part of the conveyor into a water tank (50) at the second station for plasma-arc cutting the workpiece. The third station is adjacent the second station and has two additional conveyors (66, 68) for receiving a cut workpiece, depending on the size of such cut workpiece. A cleaning apparatus (60-64) supplies jets of water onto the closed loop conveyor to clean the latter of slag.

Abstract: A conventional plasma arc cutting torch in which the plasma gas passageway of a cutting tip is flared about 90 degrees outwardly, the cutting torch angle-to-work is about 45 degrees, the torch stand-off from the work is about 3/16 inch, and the torch travel speed is about 60 inches/minute to obtain metal preparation of consistent width and depth dependent on the work metal and its thickness. Changes in these characteristics, when limited to established parameters, varies the width and depth of the resulting metal preparation which remains constant for each combination of changes.

Abstract: A method for starting a gas deseaming of ingots and billets employs a point-shaped heating source. A motion is imparted to said heating source parallel to the orifice of a gas-planing nozzle. An oxidizing gas jet emerging from said nozzle burns away metal melted by said point-shaped heating source. A device for performing this method comprises electric arc generating means including an electrode and guide means capable of guiding the electrode along a path opposite the orifice of a gas-planing nozzle and in parallel relation thereto.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing metal blanks, in particular steel slabs, which at least in a predetermined surface area have substantially no defects such as cracks, seams, bubbles, scabs, or the like, at least the surface portion to be made free of defects being systematically and substantially completely scanned by means of at least one inspecting device which detects such defects at and closely beneath the surface as regards location and depth and a working means being controlled by means of the recorded defects, which by scarfing, grinding, milling, planning and/or another cutting machine and/or local material melt deposition and/or material replacement or the like removes the defects detected, the defects being recorded with their depth for surface sub-areas whose width transversely of the working means is substantially equal or less than the smallest working width of the working means and the working depth of the working means being controlled in accordance with the maximum defect depth recorded for

Abstract: A process for thermochemically scarfing a metal workpiece comprising:Preheating a spot on the surface of the workpiece where the scarfing reaction is to begin by directing a post-mixed preheating flame at the spot. The preheating flame is formed by:(a) discharging at least one stream of preheat oxidizing gas and at least one stream of preheat fuel gas from separate ports in such a manner that the streams impinge external to their discharge ports, above the work surface and in such manner that the axes of the streams form an acute included angle between them, and(b) stabilizing said preheating flame by discharging a low-intensity stream of oxidizing gas. The stabilizing stream is directed in the same general direction as the direction of the flame or it may be directed such that the angle formed by the low intensity stream and the forward axis of the flame is from 10.degree. to 90.degree..

Abstract: The invention describes a method of machining a workpiece with a cutting l arrangement involving relative rectilinear movement between workpiece and tool, a heat source being mounted for transverse movement in a series of arcuate passes across the workpiece to heat and soften the portion thereof immediately ahead of the cutting tool. In examples given, the heat source is one or two plasma torches and the arcuate passes are part of an oscillatory or of a rotational movement.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a device for igniting a gas planing process. The method is based on applying heat to a workpiece by means of a movable heat source, which in principle has a point effect so that the heated or molten portion of the workpiece forms a strip, which in principle extends perpendicularly to the flow direction of the planing oxygen. The device for carrying out the method comprises one or more planing burners and one or more movable ignition means so connected to the burner that the ignition means can move relative to the planing burner both in parallel with and perpendicularly to the planing direction and at the same time carry out the function of a heat source of in principle point shape, which preheats a strip-shaped zone on the surface of the workpiece and/or in addition to said preheating adds molten metal to said zone.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing metal blanks, in particular steel slabs, which at least in a predetermined surface area have substantially no defects such as cracks, seams, bubbles, scabs, or the like, at least the surface portion to be made free of defects being systematically and substantially completely scanned by means of at least one inspecting device which detects such defects at and closely beneath the surface as regards location and depth and a working means being controlled by means of the recorded defects, which by scarfing, grinding, milling, planing and/or another cutting machine and/or local material melt deposition and/or material replacement or the like removes the defects detected, the defects being recorded with their depth for surface sub-areas whose width transversely of the working means is sustantially equal or less than the smallest working width of the working means and the working depth of the working means being controlled in accordance with the maximum defect depth recorded for th

Abstract: There is described a marking method for distinguishing the kind, depth, position and area of surface defects of a metal piece as well as a method for detecting marks on the metal piece and a method for arranging detected signals in a electronic computer to automatically control scarfing. Shapes and colors of the marks respectively correspond to either the kind or depth of the surface defects of the metal piece. The marks are detected by a photosensitive means which can recognize colors of the marks, for example, industrial color television camera. Output signals of the camera are transmitted to the electronic computer. The computer arranges the signals and processes them to automatically control the scarfing machine.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing metal blanks, in particular steel slabs, which at least in a predetermined surface area have substantially no defects such as cracks, seams, bubbles, scabs, or the like, at least the surface portion to be made free of defects being systematically and substantially completely scanned by means of at least one inspecting device which detects such defects at and closely beneath the surface as regards location and depth and a working means being controlled by means of the recorded defects, which by scarfing, grinding, milling, planing and/or another cutting machine and/or local material melt deposition and/or material replacement or the like removes the defects detected, the defects being recorded with their depth for surface sub-areas whose width transversely of the working means is substantially equal or less than the smallest working width of the working means and the working depth of the working means being controlled in accordance with the maximum defect depth recorded for t

Abstract: A thermochemical scarfing process and apparatus capable of reducing the amount of smoke discharged to the atmosphere and/or of preventing the formation of "secondary" fins when spot scarfing, comprising:(a) scarfing oxygen is directed against a reaction zone of molten metal on the surface of the workpiece to produce a scarfing reaction, and(b) relative movement is provided between the oxygen stream and the workpiece, said reaction forming a molten puddle in front of the reaction zone that grows larger as the cut progresses, wherein the improvement comprises:(c) directing at least one stream of non-reactive fluid to form a fluid, sheet-like curtain that provides a cover over the reaction zone and at least the rear portion of the molten puddle in such manner that said curtain forms a pocket with the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: A method of gas planing for removing surface defects on a workpiece, where the working gas is supplied to the workpiece via a planing device, and air or another non-oxidizing gas mixture under pressure is supplied to the melt at the completion of the planing operation.

Abstract: A method and a device for gas planing with at least one gas planing device, at which the gas flowing out of the device is shielded off in lateral direction, and gas streams are directed substantially perpendicular from both sides to the gas flowing out of the planing device for applying a retaining effect on the melt being formed, and simultaneously gas streams are directed to the forward portion of the melt for applying a lifting and removing effect thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for treating the surface of a workpiece. The invention ensures correct working of the workpiece surface and renders an accurate control of the working place in question possible.The removal of worked material during the working can also be carried out expediently according to the invention, which shows both a method, at which the working occurs during several working steps, and an apparatus for carrying out the method which in the embodiment shown is an apparatus for gas planing working where ignition and extinction of each separate nozzle is simplified and at the same time the melt can be handled more easily.

Abstract: A process for thermochemically scarfing a metal workpiece comprising:Preheating a spot on the surface of the workpiece where the scarfing reaction is to begin by directing a post-mixed preheating flame at the spot. The preheating flame is formed by:(a) discharging at least one stream of preheat oxidizing gas and at least one stream of preheat fuel gas from separate ports in such a manner that the streams impinge external to their discharge ports, above the work surface and in such manner that the axes of the streams form an acute included angle between them, and(b) stabilizing said preheating flame by discharging a low-intensity stream of oxidizing gas. The stabilizing stream is directed in the same general direction as the direction of the flame and proximate to the impingement of the preheat oxidizing gas and preheat fuel gas streams.Steps (a) and (b) are continued until the spot reaches its oxidizing gas ignition temperature.

Abstract: An instantaneous scarfing cut on the surface of a metal workpiece can be made by:(a) causing relative motion between the workpiece and a stream of scarfing oxygen gas, and simultaneously therewith(1) impinging at least one laser beam on the work surface so as to produce a heated path of desired length across said surface relative to its direction of motion, said heated path being produced by the laser beam heating a series of points on said surface to their oxygen ignition temperature, and(2) impinging a stream of scarfing oxygen onto said heated path, thereby causing an instantaneous scarfing cut to begin along said path, and(b) continuing the flow of scarfing oxygen until the desired length of cut has been produced.

Abstract: A device for perforating or cutting a target made of metal or other materials by means of a plasma jet. The device includes a cast grain of plasma producing pyrotechnic material that is coated over a major portion of its exterior surface with a combustion inhibiting layer. The coated grain is enclosed within an elongate hollow housing provided with closure plates at both ends thereof, with one of the plates having a nozzle opening that is substantially coextensive with a longitudinal recess formed within the grain so that the plasma jet produced by the incendiary reaction of the grain is directed out through the nozzle opening for impingement upon the target.

Abstract: A scarfing nozzle and method for producing a fin-free scarfing cut at least as wide as the width of the nozzle. The method is characterized by directing a stream of oxygen at the spot to be scarfed from a scarfing nozzle which restricts the flow of oxygen at the edges of the oxygen stream such that the flow at the edges is insufficient to scarf the workpiece but sufficient to oxidize molten metal at the edges of the reaction zone to produce a fin-free scarfing cut at least as wide as the width of the nozzle. The nozzle is particularly useful for spot scarfing in gang arrangement.

Abstract: An instantaneous scarfing cut on the surface of a metal workpiece can be made by:(a) causing relative motion between the workpiece and a stream of scarfing oxygen gas, and simultaneously therewith(1) impinging at least one laser beam on the work surface so as to produce a heated path of desired length across said surface relative to its direction of motion, said heated path being produced by the laser beam heating a series of points on said surface to their oxygen ignition temperature, and(2) impinging a stream of scarfing oxygen onto said heated path, thereby causing an instantaneous scarfing cut to begin along said path, and(b) continuing the flow of scarfing oxygen until the desired length of cut has been produced.