US4095999A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Heat-treating method
Assignee: Raychem Corp
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Filing: 1976-10-26
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Granted: 1978-06-20
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Expires: 1996-10-26
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to methods for modifying the temperatures at which metallic compositions capable of undergoing reversible transformation from the austenitic state to the martensitic state will undergo such transformation. According to the present invention, the transformation temperature of such metallic compositions may be raised by slowly heating a metallic composition which is in the martensitic state to a temperature above that at which transformation to the austenitic state normally occurs. Usually the slow heating is terminated and the composition cooled to a temperature below the temperature at which slow heating was terminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Greville B. Brook
- 👤 Peter L. Brooks
- 👤 Roger Iles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 02:16
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22F; C22F1/00; C22F1/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for expanding the hysteresis loop of a metallic composition in its martensitic state, said hysteresis loop being defined by the M f , M s , A f and A s temperatures, comprising slowly heating said composition to a temperature above the normal A s to impart an elevated temperature A s , hereinafter referred to as A se , terminating the slow heating and deforming said composition while in the martensitic state to impart heat recoverability.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for expanding the hysteresis loop of a metallic composition in its martensitic state, said hysteresis loop being defined by the M f , M s , A f and A s temperatures, comprising slowly heating said composition to a temperature above the normal A s to impart an elevated temperature A s , hereinafter referred to as A se , terminating the slow heating and deforming said composition while in the martensitic state to impart heat recoverability.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said slow heating is terminated by cooling to a temperature below said A se .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said slow heating is terminated by rapid heating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said composition is deformed before slow heating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said composition is cooled to a temperature below A se and is then deformed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said composition is held at a temperature above the M s temperature while in the austenitic state for a time sufficient to reduce the loss of reversibility between the martensitic and austenitic states prior to converting the composition to its martensitic state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 6 wherein prior to said holding step, said composition is heated to a temperature substantially above room temperature and is then quenched.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said quenching temperature is a temperature at which the composition is wholly in the austenitic state.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said slow heating is at a rate sufficiently slow to substantially prevent martensite reversal to austenite at and above the normal A s temperature for said alloy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said rapid heating is at a rate at which the composition reverts from its martensitic state to its austenitic state.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said metallic composition is an alloy comprising copper and a metal selected from the group consisting of zinc and aluminum.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said alloy contains a third metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, manganese, silicon and tin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said deformed composition is heated to a temperature above A se at a rate at which the composition reverts from its martensitic state to its austenitic state.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
161 words
A metal capable of reversible transformations between an austenitic state and a martensitic state with changes in temperature, said metal being the product of the process comprising the steps: (a) cooling the metal from a temperature at which it exists in the austenitic state to a temperature at which it exists in the martensitic state; (b) heating the metal to a temperature above that at which reversion to the austenitic state normally occurs, said heating being at a rate at which the composition remains substantially in its martensitic state; (c) terminating said heating at said temperature; and (d) cooling the metal from said temperature to a lower temperature; thereby elevating the temperature at which the metal will begin reversion from the martensitic state to the austenitic state to the temperature at which the heating is terminated said metal having been deformed while in the martensitic state from a configuration it possessed in the austenitic state to render the metal heat recoverable.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
161 words
A metal capable of reversible transformations between an austenitic state and a martensitic state with changes in temperature, said metal being the product of the process comprising the steps: (a) cooling the metal from a temperature at which it exists in the austenitic state to a temperature at which it exists in the martensitic state; (b) heating the metal to a temperature above that at which reversion to the austenitic state normally occurs, said heating being at a rate at which the composition remains substantially in its martensitic state; (c) terminating said heating at said temperature; and (d) cooling the metal from said temperature to a lower temperature; thereby elevating the temperature at which the metal will begin reversion from the martensitic state to the austenitic state to the temperature at which the heating is terminated said metal having been deformed while in the martensitic state from a configuration it possessed in the austenitic state to render the metal heat recoverable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A metal according to claim 14 wherein said deforming is accomplished prior to said heating step.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A metal according to claim 14 wherein said deforming is accomplished after cooling of the metal from the temperature at which heating is terminated.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A metal according to claim 14 wherein said metal is an alloy comprising copper and an element selected from the group consistig of zinc and aluminum.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
10 words
The alloy of claim 17 wherein said element is zinc.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The alloy of claim 18 wherein said alloy contains a third element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, manganese, silicon and tin.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
10 words
The alloy of claim 17 wherein said element is aluminum.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The alloy of claim 20 wherein said alloy contains a third element selected from the group consisting of manganese, silicon, tin and zinc.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The alloy of claim 19 comprising 66.2-67.5 wt. % Cu, 29.8-32.0 wt. % Zn, and 1.8-2.7 wt. % Si.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The alloy of claim 19 comprising by weight 69.7% Cu, 26.3% Zn, and 4% Al.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The alloy of claim 19 comprising by weignt 66.2% Cu, 37.3% Zn, and 0.5% Al.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The alloy of claim 19 comprising by weight 64.5% Cu, 34.5% Zn, and 1% Si.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The alloy of claim 19 comprising by weight 66.5% Cu, 31.75% Zn, and 1.75% Si.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The alloy of claim 19 comprising by weight 63.7% Cu, 35.3% Zn, and 1% Si.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The alloy of claim 19 comprising by weight 66.45% Cu, 31.55% Zn, and 2.00% Si.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The alloy of claim 19 comprising by weight 66.5% Cu, 30.8% Zn, and 19.6% Si.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The alloy of claim 19 comprising by weight 64.2% Cu, 34.8% Zn, and 1.0% Si.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The alloy of claim 19 comprising by weight 80.5% Cu, 10.5% Zn, and 9% Al.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The alloy of claim 21 comprising by weight 80.5% Cu, 10.5% Al, and 9% Mn.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The alloy of claim 21 comprising by weight 80.8% Cu, 10.5% Al, and 8.7% Mn.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The alloy of claim 21 comprising by weight 80.49% Cu, 10.5% Al, and 9.01% Mn.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The alloy of claim 21 comprising by weight 79.2% Cu, 10.0% Al, and 10.8% Mn.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
A metal according to claim 14 having an elongation to failure of at least 5%.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
A metal according to claim 14 wherein said metal is storage stable under atmospheric conditions.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
A metal according to claim 14 wherein the heating rate is less than 1° C/min.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
A metal according to claim 14 wherein said metal has a M s below room temperature.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
142 words
A heat recoverable metallic article comprising a metal capable of reversible transformations between an austenitic state and a martensitic state with changes in temperature, said article being the product of the process comprising the steps: (a) fabricating said article in an original configuration; (b) cooling the article from a temperature at which the metal exists in the austenitic state to a temperature at which it exists in the martensitic state; (c) deforming the article from its original configuration to a second configuration from which recovery is desired; (d) heating the article to a temperature above that at which the metal normally undergoes reversion to the austenitic state, said heating being at a rate at which the metal remains substantially in its martensitic state; (e) terminating said heating at said temperature; and (f) cooling the article from said temperature to a lower temperature,
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
142 words
A heat recoverable metallic article comprising a metal capable of reversible transformations between an austenitic state and a martensitic state with changes in temperature, said article being the product of the process comprising the steps: (a) fabricating said article in an original configuration; (b) cooling the article from a temperature at which the metal exists in the austenitic state to a temperature at which it exists in the martensitic state; (c) deforming the article from its original configuration to a second configuration from which recovery is desired; (d) heating the article to a temperature above that at which the metal normally undergoes reversion to the austenitic state, said heating being at a rate at which the metal remains substantially in its martensitic state; (e) terminating said heating at said temperature; and (f) cooling the article from said temperature to a lower temperature,
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
An article according to claim 40 wherein the heating rate is less than 1° C/min.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
166 words
A heat recoverable metallic article comprising a metal capable of reversible transformations between an austenitic state and a martensitic state with changes in temperature, said article being the production of the process comprising the steps: (a) fabricating said article in an original configuration; (b) cooling the article from a temperature at which the metal exists in the austenitic state to a temperature at which it exists in the martensitic state; (c) heating the article to a temperature above that at which the metal normally undergoes reversion to the austenitic state, said heating being at a rate at which the metal remains substantially in its martensitic state; (d) terminating said heating at said temperature; (e) cooling the article from said temperature to a lower temperature; and (f) deforming the article from its original configuration to a second configuration from which recovery is desired, thereby elevating the temperature at which the article will begin recovery towards its original configuration to the temperature at which slow heating is terminated.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
166 words
A heat recoverable metallic article comprising a metal capable of reversible transformations between an austenitic state and a martensitic state with changes in temperature, said article being the production of the process comprising the steps: (a) fabricating said article in an original configuration; (b) cooling the article from a temperature at which the metal exists in the austenitic state to a temperature at which it exists in the martensitic state; (c) heating the article to a temperature above that at which the metal normally undergoes reversion to the austenitic state, said heating being at a rate at which the metal remains substantially in its martensitic state; (d) terminating said heating at said temperature; (e) cooling the article from said temperature to a lower temperature; and (f) deforming the article from its original configuration to a second configuration from which recovery is desired, thereby elevating the temperature at which the article will begin recovery towards its original configuration to the temperature at which slow heating is terminated.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
An article according to claim 42 wherein the heating rate is less than 1° C/min.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-19 | 1981-12-19 | 1982-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-19 | 1985-12-19 | 1986-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-19 | 1989-12-19 | 1990-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |