Abstract:
A method for heartless processing of a solid metallic material consisting essentially of titanium or other metal or alloy thereof which includes providing a solid metal block (10) having processing surface (14) and a base surface (12) and consisting essentially of titanium or a metal, forming a pool of molten metal (22) on the processing surface of the solid block provided in step, adding the metallic material (30) to be processed to the pool of molten metal formed in step, and melting the metallic material to be processed, and removing metallic material melted in step from the pool of molten metal.
Abstract:
A high purity zirconium or hafnium which is extremely reduced in the contents of an alkali metal such as Na or K, a radioactive element such as U or Th, a transition metal or heavy metal or high melting point metal such as Fe, Ni, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ta or V, and a gas forming element such as C or O; and a method for producing a high purity zirconium or hafnium which allows the production thereof at a low cost; and a method for producing a powder of high purity zirconium or hafnium with safety and at a low cost which comprises using a hydrogenated high purity zirconium or hafnium as a material. The high purity zirconium or hafnium is greatly reduced in the contents of impurities which are obstacles to assurance of operational functions of a semiconductor.
Abstract:
A method for refining a titanium metal containing ore such as rutile or illmenite or mixtures to produce titanium ingots or titanium alloys and compounds of titanium involves production of titanium tetrachloride as a molten slag, by processing the ore in a chlorination procedure and removing various impurities by a distillation or other procedure to form a relatively pure titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4). Thereafter, the titanium tetrachloride is introduced into the plasma focal point of a plasma reactor in a molten sodium environment for the initial reduction of gas phase titanium into titanium molten drops which are collected by a set of skulls. Thereafter, further processing are carried out in higher vacuum and the titanium is heated by electron beam guns in order to maximize titanium purity and, in a final optional stage, alloying compounds are added under yet higher vacuum and high temperature conditions.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to fullerene, nanotube, or nanofiber filled metals and polymers. This invention stems from a cross-disciplinary combination of electromagnetic and acoustic processing and property enhancement of materials through fullerene or nanofiber additives. Containerless processing (CP) in the form of electromagnetic field enduced and/or acoustic mixing leads to controlled dispersion of fullerenes, nanotubes, or nanofibers in various matrices. The invention provides methods of mixing that highly disperse and align the fullerenes, nanotubes, or nanofibers within the matrices of metals and polymers. The invention provides new compositions of matter and multifunctional materials based on processing, composition, and degree of in situ processing.
Abstract:
The aim of the invention is to develop a method for producing massive-amorphous layers on massive metallic shaped bodies. According to said method, amorphous layers having a thickness of > 20 ñm can be produced in only one procedure step. To this end, alloys which can be used for producing massive metallic glasses under quick solidification conditions or alloy elements which can be used for producing massive metallic glasses together with the elements of the shaped body material and under quick solidification conditions are molten by means of high-energy radiation and are directly applied onto the massive metallic shaped body for producing an amorphous layer that is > 20 mu m up to several millimetre thick or are alloyed into the surface of the shaped bodies. The melt is quickly solidified by means of natural cooling and/or forced air cooling of the shaped body. The inventive method enables to coat metallic shaped bodies with massive metallic glasses which improve the surface characteristics. Such layers can be used for increasing the anticorrosion or wear and tear properties of shaped bodies for instance.
Abstract:
A device (1) for induction-heating and melting metal oxides-containing powder and granular material, which can suitably remove metals in burned ash and flying ash to render them harmless, recover metals with high purities and recovery rates and is high in equipment productivity and low in running costs, the device comprising an enclosed hopper (2), a heat-resistant pipeline (3) for supplying powder and granular material to an induction-heating pipe (5) therefrom, the dielectric induction-heating pipe (5) vertically slidably in contact with the lower end of the heat-resistant pipeline and its vertically driving mechanism (5A), a receiver (6) for receiving molten liquid of the powder and granular material melted in the induction-heating pipe (or a filler (60) for receiving the liquid of powder and granular material melted in the same pipe), a cylindrical upper vacuum chamber (8) for enclosing them, induction-heating coils (10) for surrounding the lower portion of the cylindrical upper vacuum chamber, an electric dust collector (4) located at the upper portion in the vacuum chamber, an inclined pan (11) for relaying molten liquid overflowing the receiver (6) to flow down (flowing down from the filler (6)) and its inclining mechanism (11), a molten liquid storing tank (12) for receiving and storing molten liquid flowing down from the inclined pan, and a lower vacuum chamber (16) for enclosing the inclined pan and the molten liquid storing tank and communicating with the lower end of the upper vacuum chamber.
Abstract:
An alloy comprising tantalum and silicon is described. The tantalum is the predominant metal present. The alloy also has a uniformity of tensile strength when formed into a wire, such that the maximum population standard deviation of tensile strength for the wire is about 3 KSI for an unannealed wire at finish diameter and about 2 KSI for an annealed wire at finish diameter. Also described is a process of making a Ta-Si alloy which includes reducing a silicon-containing solid and a tantalum-containing solid into a liquid state and mixing the liquids to form a liquid blend and forming a solid alloy from the liquid blend. Another process of making a Ta-Si alloy is described which involves blending powders containing tantalum or an oxide thereof with powders containing silicon or a silicon-containing compound to form a blend and then reducing the blend to a liquid state and forming a solid alloy from the liquid state. Also, a method of increasing the uniformity of tensile strength in tantalum metal, a method of reducing embrittlement of tantalum metal, and a method of imparting a controlled mechanical tensile strength in tantalum metal are described which involve adding silicon to tantalum metal so as to form a Ta-Si alloy.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus (40) for controlling stirring of molten metal (24) during processing in a metallurgical vessel (20), free of mechanical-contact with the molten metal (24). Efficiencies of metal processing and improvements in metallurgical properties are achieved by selecting configurations and placement of interacting apparatus (40), and by controlling electromagnetic field characteristics. Apparatus (40) can be retrofitted to an existing vessel and a reduction in vessel maintenance results from a decreased rate of slag buildup during usage.
Abstract:
The invention concerns metallothermal process and continuous drawing of a metal product consisting of at least one metal, comprising: a step for melting the metal in a first cold crucible (1) heated by induction where the reduction of said metal oxide or salt is brought about in a reduction medium (8) and where the formed metal decants in a solvent medium (7) for the scoria resulting from reduction to be absorbed; a step for gathering and melting the decanting metal, carried out in a second cold crucible (3) heated by induction and located under the first cold crucible (1), for obtaining a continuous drawing of the metal product. The invention also concerns a device for implementing the method consisting of a first induction crucible with cold furnaces communicating with a second induction crucible with cold furnaces for continuously drawing off the molten metal. The invention is particularly useful for obtaining uranium or an alloy containing uranium.