Abstract:
A method of heat-treating an additively-manufactured ferromagnetic component is presented and a related ferromagnetic component is presented. A saturation flux density of a heat-treated ferromagnetic component is greater than a saturation flux density of an as-formed ferromagnetic component. The heat-treated ferromagnetic component is further characterized by a plurality of grains such that at least 25% of the plurality of grains have a median grain size less than 10 microns and 25% of the plurality of grains have a median grain size greater than 25 microns.
Abstract:
A novel magneto caloric material (MCM) is provided that can be used in, for example, a regenerator of a heat pump, appliance, air conditioning system, and other heating and/or cooling devices. The MCM is a type of Heusler alloy, has an L21 crystal structural prototype, and can undergo a reversible phase transformation between a low temperature, low magnetization Martensite phase and a high temperature, high magnetization Austenite phase to exhibit an inverse magneto caloric effect upon application of a sufficient magnetic field. A process of annealing of the alloy is also provided that can be used to adjust the temperature at which this phase transformation occurs. The present invention includes the alloy as subjected to such annealing.
Abstract:
A nickel-based braze alloy composition is described, including nickel, about 1 weight % to about 5 weight % boron (B); and about 1 weight % to about 20 weight % germanium (Ge). The composition is free of any silicon. Superalloy articles that contains a crack or other type of void or gap filled with the nickel-based braze alloy composition are also described, along with methods for filling such a gap. Related articles of manufacture and brazing processes to join metal components are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method of furnace-less brazing of a substrate is provided. The method includes providing a substrate having a brazing region thereon; disposing braze precursor material containing a nickel powder, an aluminum powder, and a platinum group metal powder on the brazing region; and initiating an exothermic reaction of the braze precursor material such that the exothermic reaction produces a braze material that reaches a braze temperature above the liquidus temperature for the braze material. A braze precursor material is also provided.
Abstract:
A method of heat-treating an additively-manufactured ferromagnetic component is presented and a related ferromagnetic component is presented. A saturation flux density of a heat-treated ferromagnetic component is greater than a saturation flux density of an as-formed ferromagnetic component. The heat-treated ferromagnetic component is further characterized by a plurality of grains such that at least 25% of the plurality of grains have a median grain size less than 10 microns and 25% of the plurality of grains have a median grain size greater than 25 microns.
Abstract:
An electrochemical cell is described, including an anodic chamber and a cathodic chamber separated by an electrolyte separator tube, all contained within a cell case. The cell also includes an electrically insulating ceramic collar positioned at an opening of the cathodic chamber, and defining an aperture in communication with the opening; along with a cathode current collector assembly; and at least one metallic ring that has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) in the range of about 3 to about 7.5 ppm/° C., contacting at least a portion of a metallic component within the cell, and an adjacent ceramic component. An active braze alloy composition attaches and hermetically seals the ring to the metallic component and the collar. Sodium metal halide batteries that contain this type of cell are also described, along with methods for sealing structures within the cell.
Abstract:
A braze alloy composition is disclosed, containing nickel, about 5% to about 40% of at least one refractory metal selected from niobium, tantalum, or molybdenum; about 2% to about 32% chromium; and about 0.5% to about 10% of at least one active metal element. An electrochemical cell that includes two components joined to each other by such a braze composition is also described. A method for joining components such as those within an electrochemical cell is also described. The method includes the step of introducing a braze alloy composition between a first component and a second component to be joined, to form a brazing structure. In many instances, one component is formed of a ceramic, while the other is formed of a metal or metal alloy.
Abstract:
The present application provides for ceramic collars and metal rings for active brazing in sodium-based thermal batteries. The ceramic collar may be an alpha-alumina collar configured for active brazing, and thereby sealing, to outer and inner Ni rings for use in NaMx cells. The portions of the alpha-alumina collar active brazed to the outer and inner Ni rings may be outwardly facing and include inwardly extending recesses. The portions of the outer and inner Ni rings active brazed to the outwardly facing portions of the collar may be inwardly facing. The alpha-alumina collar may include a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than each of the outer and inner Ni rings, and the alpha-alumina collar and outer and inner Ni rings may be configured such that a portion of the outer and inner Ni rings is deformed into the inwardly extending recesses of the alpha-alumina collar after active brazing thereof.
Abstract:
A nickel-based braze alloy composition includes nickel, about 1 weight % to about 5 weight % boron (B); and about 1 weight % to about 20 weight % germanium (Ge). The composition is free of any silicon. Superalloy articles having a crack or other type of void or gap may be filled with the nickel-based braze alloy composition. Methods for filling such a gap are described.
Abstract:
A method of furnace-less brazing of a substrate is provided. The method includes providing a substrate having a braze region thereon; disposing braze precursor material containing a nickel powder, an aluminum powder, and a platinum group metal powder on the braze region; and initiating an exothermic reaction of the braze precursor material such that the exothermic reaction produces a braze material that reaches a braze temperature above the solidus temperature of the braze material. A braze precursor material is also provided.