Zirconium Or Hafnium Base Patents (Class 420/422)
  • Patent number: 9637809
    Abstract: An alloy according to example embodiments of the present invention may include zirconium, tin, iron, chromium, and nickel, with a majority of the alloy being zirconium. The composition of the alloy may be about 0.85-2.00% tin by weight, about 0.15-0.30% iron by weight, about 0.40-0.75% chromium by weight, and less than 0.01% nickel by weight. The alloy may further include 0.004-0.020% silicon by weight, 0.004-0.020% carbon by weight, and/or 0.05-0.20% oxygen by weight. Accordingly, the alloy exhibits reduced hydrogen absorption and improved corrosion resistance and may be used to form a fuel assembly component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas LLC
    Inventors: Yang-Pi Lin, David W. White, Daniel R. Lutz
  • Patent number: 9340845
    Abstract: A method for surface processing at least a portion of a component of zirconium or hafnium alloy, including at least one operation of nanostructuring a surface layer of the alloy so as to confer on the alloy over a thickness of at least 5 ?m a grain size which is less than or equal to 100 nm, the nanostructuring being carried out at a temperature which is less than or equal to that of the last thermal processing operation to which the component was previously subjected during its production. Component of zirconium or hafnium alloy processed in this manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: AREVA NP
    Inventor: Dominique Hertz
  • Patent number: 9202597
    Abstract: Disclosed are a zirconium alloy for a nuclear fuel cladding having a good corrosion resistance by reducing an amount of alloying elements and a method of preparing a zirconium alloy nuclear fuel cladding using thereof. The zirconium alloy includes 0.2 to 0.5 wt % of niobium (Nb); 0.2 to 0.6 wt % of iron (Fe); 0.3 to 0.5 wt % of chromium (Cr); 0.1 to 0.15 wt % of oxygen (O); 0.008 to 0.012 wt % of silicon (Si) and a remaining amount of zirconium (Zr). The total amount of the niobium, the iron and the chromium is 1.1 to 1.2 wt %. A good oxidation resistance of the nuclear fuel cladding may be confirmed under accident conditions as well as normal operating conditions of a reactor, thereby improving economic feasibility and safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignees: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-Yong Park, Byoung-Kwon Choi, Hyun Gil Kim, Sang Yoon Park, Yang-Il Jung, Dong Jun Park, Yang-Hyun Koo
  • Patent number: 9136023
    Abstract: Disclosed are a zirconium alloy for a nuclear fuel cladding having a good corrosion resistance by reducing an amount of alloying elements and a method of preparing a zirconium alloy nuclear fuel cladding using thereof. The zirconium alloy includes 0.2 to 0.5 wt % of niobium (Nb); 0.2 to 0.6 wt % of iron (Fe); 0.3 to 0.5 wt % of chromium (Cr); 0.1 to 0.15 wt % of oxygen (O); 0.008 to 0.012 wt % of silicon (Si) and a remaining amount of zirconium (Zr). The total amount of the niobium, the iron and the chromium is 1.1 to 1.2 wt %. A good oxidation resistance of the nuclear fuel cladding may be confirmed under accident conditions as well as normal operating conditions of a reactor, thereby improving economic feasibility and safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignees: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-Yong Park, Byoung-Kwon Choi, Hyun Gil Kim, Sang Yoon Park, Yang-Il Jung, Dong Jun Park, Yang-Hyun Koo
  • Patent number: 9099205
    Abstract: Disclosed are a zirconium alloy for a nuclear fuel cladding having a good oxidation resistance in reactor accident conditions, a zirconium alloy nuclear fuel cladding prepared by using thereof and a method of preparing the same. The zirconium alloy includes 1.0 to 1.2 wt % of niobium (Nb); at least one element selected from tin (Sn), iron (Fe) and chromium (Cr); 0.02 to 0.1 wt % of copper (Cu); 0.1 to 0.15 wt % of oxygen (O); 0.008 to 0.012 wt % of silicon (Si) and a remaining amount of zirconium (Zr). The amount of Sn is 0.1 to 0.3 wt %, the amount of Fe is 0.3 to 0.8 wt %, and the amount of Cr is 0.1 to 0.3 wt %. A good oxidation resistance of the nuclear fuel cladding may be confirmed under accident conditions as well as normal operating conditions of a reactor, thereby improving economic efficiency and safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignees: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-Yong Park, Hyun Gil Kim, Byoung-Kwon Choi, Sang Yoon Park, Yang-Il Jung, Dong Jun Park, Yang-Hyun Koo
  • Publication number: 20150125338
    Abstract: Identifying a stable phase of a binary alloy comprising a solute element and a solvent element. In one example, at least two thermodynamic parameters associated with grain growth and phase separation of the binary alloy are determined, and the stable phase of the binary alloy is identified based on the first thermodynamic parameter and the second thermodynamic parameter, wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Heather Murdoch, Christopher A. Schuh
  • Patent number: 8989339
    Abstract: Disclosed is a zirconium alloy material having high corrosion resistance regardless of thermal history during its manufacturing process. The zirconium alloy material is obtained by providing a zirconium alloy containing on the mass basis: 0.001% to 1.9% of Sn, 0.01% to 0.3% of Fe, 0.01% to 0.3% of Cr, 0.001% to 0.3% of Ni, 0.001% to 3.0% of Nb, 0.027% or less of C, 0.025% or less of N, 4.5% or less of Hf and 0.16% or less of O with the remainder being inevitable impurities and zirconium, being formed of a bulk alloy and a surface layer, in which the surface layer has a plastic strain of 3 or more or a Vickers hardness of 260 HV or more and an arithmetic mean surface roughness Ra of 0.2 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryo Ishibashi, Masahisa Inagaki, Hideo Soneda, Naoya Okizaki, Tomomi Nakamura, Yoshikazu Todaka, Hiroaki Azuma, Nozomu Adachi, Minoru Umemoto
  • Patent number: 8961816
    Abstract: Getter devices based on powders of alloys particularly suitable for hydrogen and nitrogen sorption are described. Such alloys have a composition including zirconium, vanadium, titanium and, optionally, one or more elements selected from iron, chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel and aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Saes Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Coda, Alessandro Gallitognotta, Antonio Bonucci, Andrea Conte
  • Publication number: 20140352716
    Abstract: In a dry etching method for etching a metal film formed on a substrate by use of etching gas containing ?-diketone, the metal film contains at least one metal material that forms a penta- or hexa-coordinated complex structure with ?-diketone; the etching gas containing ?-diketone contains at least one additive among H2O or H2O2; and the additive is contained at a volume concentration of 1% or greater and 20% or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: CENTRAL GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Akiou KIKUCHI, Yuta TAKEDA
  • Publication number: 20140348203
    Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a method of identifying a stable phase of an ordering binary alloy system comprising a solute element and a solvent element, the method comprising: determining at least three thermodynamic parameters associated with grain boundary segregation, phase separation, and intermetallic compound formation of the ordering binary alloy system; and identifying the stable phase of the ordering binary alloy system based on the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter by comparing the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter with a predetermined set of respective thermodynamic parameters to identify the stable phase; wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Heather A. Murdoch, Christopher A. Schuh
  • Publication number: 20140271335
    Abstract: Provided is a super elastic alloy for biological use having a high biocompatibility, good processability and super elasticity, said super elastic alloy being a super elastic zirconium alloy for biological use comprising 27-54 mol % inclusive of titanium, 5-9 mol % inclusive of niobium which is a ? phase-stabilizing element capable of stabilizing the ? phase of zirconium, and 1-4 mol % inclusive in total of tin and/or aluminum which are ? phase-suppressing elements capable of suppressing the ? phase of zirconium, with the balance consisting of zirconium and inevitable impurities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF TSUKUBA
    Inventors: Shuichi Miyazaki, Heeyoung Kim, Yosuke Sato
  • Patent number: 8831166
    Abstract: Zirconium-based metal alloy compositions comprise zirconium, a first additive in which the permeability of hydrogen decreases with increasing temperatures at least over a temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C., and a second additive having a solubility in zirconium over the temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C. At least one of a solubility of the first additive in the second additive over the temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C. and a solubility of the second additive in the first additive over the temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C. is higher than the solubility of the second additive in zirconium over the temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C. Nuclear fuel rods include a cladding material comprising such metal alloy compositions, and nuclear reactors include such fuel rods. Methods are used to fabricate such zirconium-based metal alloy compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Dominick Mariani
  • Patent number: 8821610
    Abstract: A method and a device are described for the production of metal powder or alloy powder of a moderate grain sizes less than 10 ?m, comprising or containing at least one of the reactive metals zirconium, titanium, or hafnium, by metallothermic reduction of oxides or halogenides of the cited reactive metals with the aid of a reducing metal, wherein said metal powder or alloy powder is phlegmatized by adding a passivating gas or gas mixture during and/or after the reduction of the oxides or halogenides and/or is phlegmatized by adding a passivating solid before the reduction of the oxides or halogenides, wherein both said reduction and also said phlegmatization are performed in a single gas-tight reaction vessel which can be evacuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Tradium GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Gerhard Baudis
  • Patent number: 8803194
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures are provided comprising a substrate and a epitaxial layer formed over the substrate, wherein the epitaxial layer comprises B; and one or more element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Hf and Al and has a thickness greater than 50 nm. Further, methods for integrating Group III nitrides onto a substrate comprising, forming an epitaxial buffer layer of a diboride of Zr, Hf, Al, or mixtures thereof, over a substrate; and forming a Group III nitride layer over the buffer layer, are provided which serve to thermally decouple the buffer layer from the underlying substrate, thereby greatly reducing the strain induced in the semiconductor structures upon fabrication and/or operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents, a body corporate of the State of Arizona Acting for and on Behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: John Kouvetakis, Radek Roucka
  • Publication number: 20140140885
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage alloy having a higher electrochemical hydrogen storage capacity than that predicted by the alloy's gaseous hydrogen storage capacity at 2 MPa. The hydrogen storage alloy may have an electrochemical hydrogen storage capacity 5 to 15 times higher than that predicted by the maximum gaseous phase hydrogen storage capacity thereof. The hydrogen storage alloy may be selected from alloys of the group consisting of A2B, AB, AB2, AB3, A2B7, AB5 and AB9. The hydrogen storage alloy may further be selected from the group consisting of: a) Zr(VxNi4.5-x); wherein 0<x?0.5; and b) Zr(VxNi3.5-x); wherein 0<x?0.9.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Inventors: Kwo Young, Taihei Ouchi, Jean Nei
  • Publication number: 20140097277
    Abstract: The invention relates to biodegradable iron alloy-containing compositions for use in preparing medical devices. In addition, biodegradable crystalline and amorphous compositions of the invention exhibit properties that make them suitable for use as medical devices for implantation into a body of a patient. The compositions include elemental iron and one or more elements selected from manganese, magnesium, zirconium, zinc and calcium. The compositions can be prepared using a high energy milling technique. The resulting compositions and the devices formed therefrom are useful in various surgical procedures, such as but not limited to orthopedic, craniofacial and cardiovascular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION
    Inventors: PRASHANT N. KUMTA, SUNG JAE CHUNG, PARTHA SAHA, OLEG VELIKOKHATNYI, MONI KANCHAN DATTA, DAE HO HONG, DA-TREN CHOU
  • Patent number: 8691142
    Abstract: Zr—Ti—Ni(Cu)-based filler alloy composition having low melting point for brazing titanium and titanium alloys is expressed as: ZraTibNic (Formula 1) where a, b and c denote atomic % of Zr, Ti and Ni, respectively; 47?a?52; 24?b?30; 22?c?26; and 0.3<c/(a+c)<0.35, or ZraTibNicCud (Formula 2) where a, b, c and d denote atomic % of Zr, Ti, Ni and Cu respectively; 48?a?60; 20?b?28; 19?c+d?30; 3?d?12; and 0.12<d/(c+d)?0.5. Including Zr(Ti) solid solution phase as major constituent phase, the alloy compositions have lower liquidus temperature than those of conventional alloys and they include a little amount of Cu or does not include it at all. When the alloy is used as filler alloy for brazing titanium and titanium alloys, brazing can be performed at remarkably low temperature. This can inhibit the microstructure of titanium base metal from changing and being damaged, keeping the titanium base metal preserving inherent properties after brazing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Industrial Technology
    Inventors: Seung-Yong Shin, Dong-Myoung Lee, Ju-Hyun Sun, Yong-Hwan Kim, Dong-Han Kang
  • Patent number: 8568530
    Abstract: Precursors suitable for chemical vapor deposition, especially ALD, of hafnium oxide or zirconium oxide, have the general formula: (R1Cp)2MR2 wherein Cp represents a cyclopentadienyl ligand, R1 is H or a substituting alkyl group, alkoxy group or amido group of the Cp ligand, R2 is an alkyl group, an alkoxy group or an amido group and M is hafnium or zirconium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC
    Inventors: Peter Nicholas Heys, Paul Williams, Fuquan Song
  • Patent number: 8545627
    Abstract: Semiconductor structures are provided comprising a substrate and a epitaxial layer formed over the substrate, wherein the epitaxial layer comprises B; and one or more element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Hf and Al and has a thickness greater than 50 nm. Further, methods for integrating Group III nitrides onto a substrate comprising, forming an epitaxial buffer layer of a diboride of Zr, Hf, Al, or mixtures thereof, over a substrate; and forming a Group III nitride layer over the buffer layer, are provided which serve to thermally decouple the buffer layer from the underlying substrate, thereby greatly reducing the strain induced in the semiconductor structures upon fabrication and/or operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents
    Inventors: John Kouvetakis, Radek Roucka
  • Publication number: 20130220494
    Abstract: Disclosed are a zirconium alloy for a nuclear fuel cladding having a good corrosion resistance by reducing an amount of alloying elements and a method of preparing a zirconium alloy nuclear fuel cladding using thereof. The zirconium alloy includes 0.2 to 0.5 wt % of niobium (Nb); 0.2 to 0.6 wt % of iron (Fe); 0.3 to 0.5 wt % of chromium (Cr); 0.1 to 0.15 wt % of oxygen (O); 0.008 to 0.012 wt % of silicon (Si) and a remaining amount of zirconium (Zr). The total amount of the niobium, the iron and the chromium is 1.1 to 1.2 wt %. A good oxidation resistance of the nuclear fuel cladding may be confirmed under accident conditions as well as normal operating conditions of a reactor, thereby improving economic feasibility and safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicants: KOREA HYDRO AND NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD., KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEACH INSTITUTE, KOREA HYDRO AND NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130220495
    Abstract: Disclosed are a zirconium alloy for a nuclear fuel cladding having a good oxidation resistance in a severe reactor operation condition and a method of preparing zirconium alloy nuclear fuel claddings by using thereof. The zirconium alloy includes 1.8 to 2.0 wt % of niobium (Nb); at least one element selected from iron (Fe), chromium (Cr) and copper (Cu); 0.1 to 0.15 wt % of oxygen (O); 0.008 to 0.012 wt % of silicon (Si) and a remaining amount of zirconium (Zr). The amount of Fe is 0.1 to 0.4 wt %, the amount of Cr is 0.05 to 0.2 wt %, and the amount of Cu is 0.03 to 0.2 wt %. A good oxidation resistance of the nuclear fuel cladding may be confirmed under a severe reactor operation condition at an accident condition as well as a normal operating condition of a reactor, thereby improving economic efficiency and safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicants: KOREA HYDRO AND NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD., KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8486330
    Abstract: Disclosed is Zr—Ti—Ni(Cu)-based filler alloy composition having low melting point for brazing titanium and titanium alloys. The Zr—Ti—Ni(Cu)-based alloy composition is expressed as: ZraTibNic (Formula 1) where a, b and c denote atomic % of Zr, Ti and Ni, respectively; 47?a?52; 24?b?30; 22?c?26; and 0.3<c/(a+c)<0.35, or ZraTibNicCud (Formula 2) where a, b, c and d denote atomic % of Zr, Ti, Ni and Cu respectively; 48?a?60; 20?b?28; 19?c+d?30; 3?d?12; and 0.12<d/(c+d)?0.5. Including Zr(Ti) solid solution phase as its major constituent phase, the alloy compositions of this invention have lower liquidus temperature than those of conventional alloys and they include a little amount of Cu or does not include it at all. When alloy of the present invention is used as filler alloy for brazing titanium and titanium alloys, brazing can be performed at remarkably low temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignees: Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Yosan Eng. Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Yong Shin, Dong-Myoung Lee, Ju-Hyun Sun, Yong-Hwan Kim, Dong-Han Kang
  • Patent number: 8486542
    Abstract: An coated article includes a substrate; and a coating deposited on the substrate, wherein the coating being a zirconium layer co-doped with M and R. M is at least one element selected from a group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, niobium, hafnium and tantalum. R is at least one element selected from a group consisting of scandium, yttrium and lanthanide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsin-Pei Chang, Wen-Rong Chen, Huann-Wu Chiang, Cheng-Shi Chen, Shun-Mao Lin
  • Publication number: 20130052076
    Abstract: A process for recovering metal from a process material comprising the metal and a component that is more volatile than the metal, which process comprises: transporting the process material in a retort provided in a furnace, the retort being operated under vacuum and at a temperature sufficient to cause sublimation of the component from the process material thereby producing purified metal; depositing the component that has been sublimed on a cool surface; removing purified metal from the retort; and removing deposited component from the cool surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Andrew Chryss, Andreas Monch, Jasbir Khosa, Matthew Richards, David Freeman
  • Patent number: 8349248
    Abstract: A metallic material is made from at least one refractory metal or an alloy based on at least one refractory metal. The metallic material has an oxygen content of about 1,000 to about 30,000 ?g/g and the oxygen is interstitial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Heraeus Precious Metals GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Trotzschel, Bernd Spaniol
  • Publication number: 20120275947
    Abstract: Zr—Ti—Ni(Cu)-based filler alloy composition having low melting point for brazing titanium and titanium alloys is expressed as: ZraTibNic (Formula 1) where a,b and c denote atomic % of Zr, Ti and Ni, respectively; 47?a?52; 24?b?30; 22?c?26; and 0.3<c/(a+c)<0.35, or ZraTibNicCud (Formula 2) where a,b,c and d denote atomic % of Zr, Ti, Ni and Cu respectively; 48?a?60; 20?b?28; 19?c+d?30; 3?d?12; and 0.12<d/(c+d)?0.5. Including Zr(Ti) solid solution phase as major constituent phase, the alloy compositions have lower liquidus temperature than those of conventional alloys and they include a little amount of Cu or does not include it at all. When the alloy is used as filler alloy for brazing titanium and titanium alloys, brazing can be performed at remarkably low temperature. This can inhibit the microstructure of titanium base metal from changing and being damaged, keeping the titanium base metal preserving inherent properties after brazing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicants: YOSAN ENG. LTD., KOREA INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: SEUNG-YONG SHIN, DONG-MYOUNG LEE, JU-HYUN SUN, YONG-HWAN KIM, DONG-HAN KANG
  • Patent number: 8277723
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing high-purity hafnium by using a hafnium sponge with reduced zirconium as the raw material in which the impurity content of Fe, Cr, and Ni, the impurity content of Ca, Na, and K, the impurity content of Al, Co, Cu, Ti, W, and Zn, the alpha dose, the impurity content of U and Th, the impurity content of Pb and Bi, and the content of C as a gas component contained in the hafnium are reduced. Based on this efficient and stable manufacturing technology, additionally provided are a high-purity hafnium material obtained from the foregoing high-purity hafnium, as well as a sputtering target, a gate insulation film and a metal gate thin film, which are formed from this material. This high-purity hafnium has a purity 6N or higher except Zr and gas components, wherein Fe, Cr and Ni are respectively 0.2 ppm or less, Ca, Na and K are respectively 0.1 ppm or less, and Al, Co, Cu, Ti, W and Zn are respectively 0.1 ppm or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichiro Shindo
  • Patent number: 8262816
    Abstract: A hafnium alloy target containing either or both of Zr and Ti in a gross amount of 100 wtppm-10 wt % in Hf, wherein the average crystal grain size is 1-100 ?m, the impurities of Fe, Cr and Ni are respectively 1 wtppm or less, and the habit plane ratio of the plane {002} and three planes {103}, {014} and {015} lying within 35° from {002} is 55% or greater, and the variation in the total sum of the intensity ratios of these four planes depending on locations is 20% or less. As a result, obtained is a hafnium alloy target having favorable deposition property and deposition speed, which generates few particles, and which is suitable for forming a high dielectric gate insulation film such as HfO or HfON film, and the manufacturing method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation
    Inventors: Takeo Okabe, Shuichi Irumata, Yasuhiro Yamakoshi, Hirohito Miyashita, Ryo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8241440
    Abstract: Methods for producing zirconium strips that demonstrate improved formability are disclosed. The zirconium strips of the present disclosure have a purity and crystalline microstructure suitable for improved formability, for example, in the manufacture of certain articles such as panels for plate heat exchangers and high performance tower packing components. Other embodiments disclosed herein relate to formed substantially pure zirconium strip, articles of manufacture produced from the substantially pure zirconium strip, and methods for making the articles of manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: ATI Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig M. Eucken
  • Patent number: 8241438
    Abstract: A hafnium alloy target containing either or both of Zr and Ti in a gross amount of 100 wtppm-10 wt % in Hf, wherein the average crystal grain size is 1-100 ?m, the impurities of Fe, Cr and Ni are respectively 1 wtppm or less, and the habit plane ratio of the plane {002} and three planes {103}, {014} and {015} lying within 35° from {002} is 55% or greater, and the variation in the total sum of the intensity ratios of these four planes depending on locations is 20% or less. As a result, obtained is a hafnium alloy target having favorable deposition property and deposition speed, which generates few particles, and which is suitable for forming a high dielectric gate insulation film such as HfO or HfON film, and the manufacturing method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation
    Inventors: Takeo Okabe, Shuichi Irumata, Yasuhiro Yamakoshi, Hirohito Miyashita, Ryo Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20120201341
    Abstract: Zirconium-based metal alloy compositions comprise zirconium, a first additive in which the permeability of hydrogen decreases with increasing temperatures at least over a temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C., and a second additive having a solubility in zirconium over the temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C. At least one of a solubility of the first additive in the second additive over the temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C. and a solubility of the second additive in the first additive over the temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C. is higher than the solubility of the second additive in zirconium over the temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C. Nuclear fuel rods include a cladding material comprising such metal alloy compositions, and nuclear reactors include such fuel rods. Methods are used to fabricate such zirconium-based metal alloy compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLC
    Inventor: Robert Dominick Mariani
  • Publication number: 20120148436
    Abstract: Nanomaterial preparation methods, compositions, and articles are disclosed and claimed. Such methods can provide nanomaterials with improved morphologies relative to previous methods. Such materials are useful in electronic applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: David R. Whitcomb, William D. Ramsden, Doreen C. Lynch
  • Patent number: 8177947
    Abstract: Provided is a sputtering target in which the ratio of X-ray intensity of (110) measured with X-ray diffraction is 0.4 or less, and even 0.2 or less in a Ta or Ta alloy target. Further provided is a sputtering target in which the ratio of X-ray intensity of (110) on a Ta or Ta alloy target surface measured with X-ray diffraction is 0.8 or less, and the ratio of the foregoing X-ray intensity at a depth of 100 ?m or deeper is 0.4 or less. This Ta or Ta alloy target is capable of minimizing the fluctuation of the deposition speed for each target throughout the target life of a sputtering target, and thereby improving and stabilizing the production efficiency of semiconductors during the sputtering process, and contributing to the reduction of production costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation
    Inventor: Hirohito Miyashita
  • Publication number: 20120114091
    Abstract: Disclosed is a zirconium alloy material having high corrosion resistance regardless of thermal history during its manufacturing process. The zirconium alloy material is obtained by providing a zirconium alloy containing on the mass basis: 0.001% to 1.9% of Sn, 0.01% to 0.3% of Fe, 0.01% to 0.3% of Cr, 0.001% to 0.3% of Ni, 0.001% to 3.0% of Nb, 0.027% or less of C, 0.025% or less of N, 4.5% or less of Hf and 0.16% or less of O with the remainder being inevitable impurities and zirconium, being formed of a bulk alloy and a surface layer, in which the surface layer has a plastic strain of 3 or more or a Vickers hardness of 260 HV or more and an arithmetic mean surface roughness Ra of 0.2 ?m or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Ryo ISHIBASHI, Masahisa Inagaki, Hideo Soneda, Naoya Okizaki, Tomomi Nakamura, Yoshikazu Todaka, Hiroaki Azuma, Nozomu Adachi, Minoru Umemoto
  • Publication number: 20110293466
    Abstract: Articles, such as tubing or strips, which have excellent corrosion resistance to water or steam at elevated temperatures, are produced from alloys having 0.2 to 1.5 weight percent niobium, 0.01 to 0.6 weight percent iron, and optionally additional alloy elements selected from the group consisting of tin, chromium, copper, vanadium, and nickel with the balance at least 97 weight percent zirconium, including impurities, where a necessary final heat treatment includes one of i) a SRA or PRXA (15-20% RXA) final heat treatment, or ii) a PRXA (80-95% RXA) or RXA final heat treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: JOHN P. FOSTER, David COLBURN, Robert COMSTOCK, Terrence COOK, Mats DAHLBACK, Anand GARDE, Pascal JOURDAIN, Ronald KESTERSON, Michael MCCLARREN, Dianna Lynn SVEC NUHFER, Guirong PAN, Jonna Partezana MUNDORFF, Hsiang Ken YUEH, James BOSHERS, Penney FILE, Bethany Boshers
  • Patent number: 8034200
    Abstract: A nanometer-sized porous metallic glass and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The porous metallic glass includes Ti (titanium) at 50.0 at % to 70.0 at %, Y (yttrium) at 0.5 at % to 10.0 at %, Al (aluminum) at 10.0 at % to 30.0 at %, Co (cobalt) at 10.0 at % to 30.0 at %, and impurities. Ti +Y+Al+Co+the impurities=100.0 at %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Eric Fleury, Yu-Chan Kim, Ki-Bae Kim, Jayamani Jayaraj, Do-Hyang Kim, Byung-Joo Park
  • Publication number: 20110211987
    Abstract: Disclosed is Zr—Ti—Ni (Cu)-based filler alloy composition having low melting point for brazing titanium and titanium alloys. The Zr—Ti—Ni (Cu)-based alloy composition is expressed as: ZraTibNic (Formula 1) where a,b and c denote atomic % of Zr, Ti and Ni, respectively; 47<a<52; 24?b?30; 22<c<26; and 0.3<c/(a+c)<0.35, or ZraTibNicCud (Formula 2) where a,b,c and d denote atomic % of Zr, Ti, Ni and Cu respectively; 48?a?60; 20<b<28; 19<c+d<30; 3<d<12; and 0.12<d/(c+d)?0.5. Including Zr(Ti) solid solution phase as its major constituent phase, the alloy compositions of this invention have lower liquidus temperature than those of conventional alloys and they include a little amount of Cu or does not include it at all. When alloy of the present invention is used as filler alloy for brazing titanium and titanium alloys, brazing can be performed at remarkably low temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicants: KOREA INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY, YOSAN ENG. LTD.
    Inventors: Seung-Yong Shin, Dong-Myoung Lee, Ju-Hyun Sun, Yong-Hwan Kim, Dong-Han Kang
  • Patent number: 7998286
    Abstract: Bulk solidifying amorphous alloys (BMGs) having improved corrosion resistance properties; and more particularly a sub-set of Zr—Ti-based BMGs having improved corrosion resistance properties are provided. The BMG compositions are formed by carefully controlling the concentration of, or removing altogether, highly electronegative elements, such as Ni and Cu from Zr—Ti-based bulk solidifying amorphous alloys thereby producing BMG materials with corrosion resistance properties that far exceed those of current commercially available BMGs and most conventional alloys. The elimination of these electronegative materials also opens the possibility of new uses for BMGs, including in biological applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Aaron Wiest, Marios D. Demetriou, William L. Johnson, Nikolaj Wolfson
  • Patent number: 7985373
    Abstract: The invention concerns an alloy containing equally 0.02 to 0.07% wt. % of the total iron, of chromium or vanadium, 0.8 to 1.3 wt. % of niobium, 100 ppm or less of tin, 1100 to 1700 ppm of oxygen, less than 100 ppm of carbon, 10 to 30 ppm of sulphur and less than 50 ppm of silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Framatome ANP
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Mardon, Jean Senevat, Daniel Charquet
  • Publication number: 20110158374
    Abstract: The invention concerns an alloy containing equally 0.02 to 0.07% wt. % of the total iron, of chromium or vanadium, 0.8 to 1.3 wt. % of niobium, 100 ppm or less of tin, 1100 to 1700 ppm of oxygen, less than 100 ppm of carbon, 10 to 30 ppm of sulphur and less than 50 ppm of silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Mardon, Jean Senevat, Daniel Charquet
  • Publication number: 20110123388
    Abstract: An alloy according to example embodiments of the present invention may include zirconium, tin, iron, chromium, and nickel, with a majority of the alloy being zirconium. The composition of the alloy may be about 0.85-2.00% tin by weight, about 0.15-0.30% iron by weight, about 0.40-0.75% chromium by weight, and less than 0.01% nickel by weight. The alloy may further include 0.004-0.020% silicon by weight, 0.004-0.020% carbon by weight, and/or 0.05-0.20% oxygen by weight. Accordingly, the alloy exhibits reduced hydrogen absorption and improved corrosion resistance and may be used to farm a fuel assembly component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Yang-Pi Lin, David W. White, Daniel R. Lutz
  • Patent number: 7910512
    Abstract: To provide a production process of an electrode catalyst for fuel cell whose initial voltage is high and whose endurance characteristics, especially, whose voltage drop being caused by high-potential application is less. A production process according to the present invention of an electrode catalyst for fuel cell is characterized in that: it includes: a dispersing step of dispersing a conductive support in a solution; a loading step of dropping a platinum-salt solution, a base-metal-salt solution and an iridium-salt solution to the resulting dispersion liquid, thereby loading respective metallic salts on the conductive support as hydroxides under an alkaline condition; and an alloying step of heating the conductive support with metallic hydroxides loaded in a reducing atmosphere to reduce them, thereby alloying them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Cataler Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Takahashi, Sozaburo Ohashi, Tetsuo Kawamura, Yousuke Horiuchi, Toshiharu Tabata, Tomoaki Terada, Takahiro Nagata, Susumu Enomoto
  • Publication number: 20100290945
    Abstract: Oxygen free, solution based zirconium precursors for use in ALD processes are disclosed for growing ZrO2 or other Zr compound films in a self-limiting and conformal manner. An oxygen free, solution based ALD precursor of (t-BuCp)2ZrMC2 is particular useful for depositing ZrO2 or other Zr compound films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Ce MA, Kee-Chan Kim, Graham Anthony McFarlane
  • Publication number: 20100272889
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the preparation of a metal powder having a purity at least as high as the starting powder and having an oxygen content of 10 ppm or less comprising heating said metal powder containing oxygen in the form of an oxide, with the total oxygen content being from 50 to 3000 ppmf in an inert atmosphere at a pressure of from 1 bar to 10?7 to a temperature at which the oxide of the metal powder becomes thermodynamically unstable and removing the resulting oxygen via volatilization. The metal powder is preferably selected from the group consisting of tantalum, niobium, molybdenum, hafnium, zirconium, titanium, vanadium, rhenium and tungsten. The invention also relates to the powders produced by the process and the use of such powders in a cold spray process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: H.C. Starch Inc.
    Inventors: Leonid N. Shekhter, Steven A. Miller, Leah F. Haywiser, Rong-Chein Richard Wu
  • Publication number: 20100248297
    Abstract: Particles and manufacturing methods thereof are provided. The manufacturing method of the particle includes providing a precursor solution containing a precursor dissolved in a solution, and irradiating the precursor solution with a high energy and high flux radiation beam to convert the precursor to nano-particles. Particles with desired dispersion, shape, and size are manufactured without adding a stabilizer or surfactant to the precursor solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Yeu-Kuang Hwu, Chang-Hai Wang, Chi-Jen Liu, Cheng-Liang Wang, Chi-Hsiung Chen, Chung-Shi Yang, Hong-Ming Lin, Jung-Ho Je, Giorgio Margartondo
  • Patent number: 7781356
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure and fabrication method is provided for integrating wide bandgap nitrides with silicon. The structure includes a substrate, a single crystal buffer layer formed by epitaxy over the substrate and a group III nitride film formed by epitaxy over the buffer layer. The buffer layer is reflective and conductive. The buffer layer may comprise B an element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Hf, Al. For example, the buffer layer may comprise ZrB2, AlB2 or HfB2. The buffer layer provides a lattice match with the group III nitride layer. The substrate can comprise silicon, silicon carbide (SiC), gallium arsenide (GaAs), sapphire or Al2O3. The group III nitride material includes GaN, AlN, InN, AlGaN, InGaN or AlInGaN and can form an active region. In a presently preferred embodiment, the buffer layer is ZrB2 and the substrate is Si(111) or Si(100) and the group III nitride layer comprises GaN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents, a Body Corporate
    Inventors: John Kouvetakis, Ignatius S. T. Tsong, John Tolle, Radek Roucka
  • Patent number: 7738620
    Abstract: A method for production of a fuel cladding tube for a nuclear reactor, characterized by the preparation of an ingot of an alloy of zirconium with the following composition by weight %: 0.8%?Nb?2.8%, traces?Sn?0.65%, 0.015%?Fe?0.40%, C?100 ppm, 600 ppm?O?2300 ppm, 5 ppm?S?100 ppm, Cr+V?0.25%, Hf?75 ppm and F?1 ppm the remainder being zirconium and impurities arising from production. The ingot is then subjected to forging, a hardening and thermomoechanical treatments comprising cold laminations separated by intermediate annealing, all intermediate annealings being carried out at a temperature below the ???+? transition temperature of the alloy, finishing with a recrystallization annealing and resulting in the production of a tube, whereupon an optional external cleaning of the tube is carried out and a mechanical polishing of the external surface of the tube is carried out to give a roughness Ra less than or equal to 0.5 ?m. The invention further relates to a fuel cladding tube obtained thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Areva NP
    Inventors: Pierre Barberis, Jean-Paul Mardon, Véronique Rebeyrolle, Jean-Luc Aubin
  • Patent number: 7727308
    Abstract: Non-evaporable getter alloys are provided which can be activated at relatively low temperatures and are capable of efficiently sorbing hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Saes Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Coda, Alessandro Gallitognotta, Debora Caccia, Paola Baronio, Luca Toia, Mario Porro
  • Publication number: 20100128834
    Abstract: Articles, such as tubing or strips, which have excellent corrosion resistance to water or steam at elevated temperatures, are produced from alloys having 0.2 to 1.5 weight percent niobium, 0.01 to 0.45 weight percent iron, at least one additional alloy element selected from 0.02 to 0.8 weight percent tin, 0.05 to 0.5 weight percent chromium, 0.02 to 0.3 weight percent copper, 0.1 to 0.3 weight percent vanadium, 0.01 to 0.1 weight percent nickel, the balance at least 97 weight percent zirconium, including impurities, wherein the alloy may be fabricated from a process of forging the zirconium alloy into a material, beta quenching the material, forming the material by extruding or hot rolling the material, cold working the material with one or a multiplicity of cold working steps, wherein the cold working step includes cold reducing the material and annealing the material at an intermediate anneal temperature of 960°-1105° F., and final working and annealing of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: David Colburn, Robert Comstock, Terrence Cook, Mats Dahlback, John P. Foster, Anand Garde, Pascal Jourdain, Ronald Kesterson, Micheal McClarren, Lynn Nuhfer, Jonna Partezana, Kenneth Yueh, James A. Boshers, Penney File
  • Patent number: RE43182
    Abstract: A zirconium alloy tube for forming the whole or the outer portion of a nuclear fuel pencil housing or a nuclear fuel assembly guide tube. The zirconium alloy contains 0.8-1.8 wt. % of niobium, 0.2-0.6 wt. % of tin and 0.02-0.4 wt. % of iron, and has a carbon content of 30-180 ppm, a silicon content of 10-120 ppm and an oxygen content of 600-1800 ppm. The tube may be used when recrystallized or stress relieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: AREVA NP
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Mardon, Jean Senevat, Daniel Charquet