Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of rapidly solidifying an alloy having a liquidus-solidus temperature interval incompatible with the formation of microdispersions by rapid solidification processes, the completely solidified alloy having a dispersion in a host matrix of a constituent of 10 nanometers to 0.1 micron, made from components which have been chemically reacted together, comprising the steps of: providing a first starting alloy having a solvent and a chemically reactable component, said first starting alloy having a predetermined liquidus temperature; providing a second starting alloy having a solvent and a component chemically reactable with said first mentioned component, said second starting alloy having a predetermined liquidus temperature; melting said first and second starting alloys; mixing said melted starting alloys in a melt mix reaction mixing zone at a temperature less than the liquidus temperature of the final alloy, the mixing temperature being at or above the higher of the liquidus temperatures of the starting alloys; ejecting the melted alloys from a nozzle, the chemical reaction taking place either in a mixing zone or nozzle or both or later, but with the mixing time controlled by the mixing zone and nozzle to provide a sufficiently short dwell time until solidification such that the subsequent cooling period for the rapid solidification of the mixed starting alloys is short enough to provide a macroscopic homogeneous dispersion of submicron particles of the constituent in the host; and rapidly solidifying the ejected alloys to produce a completely solidified alloy having a dispersion of the constituent in the host which comprises said solvents.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of rapidly solidifying an alloy having a liquidus-solidus temperature interval incompatible with the formation of microdispersions by rapid solidification processes, the completely solidified alloy having a dispersion in a host matrix of a constituent of 10 nanometers to 0.1 micron, made from components which have been chemically reacted together, comprising the steps of: providing a first starting alloy having a solvent and a chemically reactable component, said first starting alloy having a predetermined liquidus temperature; providing a second starting alloy having a solvent and a component chemically reactable with said first mentioned component, said second starting alloy having a predetermined liquidus temperature; melting said first and second starting alloys; mixing said melted starting alloys in a melt mix reaction mixing zone at a temperature less than the liquidus temperature of the final alloy, the mixing temperature being at or above the higher of the liquidus temperatures of the starting alloys; ejecting the melted alloys from a nozzle, the chemical reaction taking place either in a mixing zone or nozzle or both or later, but with the mixing time controlled by the mixing zone and nozzle to provide a sufficiently short dwell time until solidification such that the subsequent cooling period for the rapid solidification of the mixed starting alloys is short enough to provide a macroscopic homogeneous dispersion of submicron particles of the constituent in the host; and rapidly solidifying the ejected alloys to produce a completely solidified alloy having a dispersion of the constituent in the host which comprises said solvents.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said completely solidified alloy is multiphasic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said completely solidified alloy is single phasic but capable of being converted into a multiphasic alloy by subsequent heat treatments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
114 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first starting alloy is of the form (metal 1 ) and (solute 1 ) and wherein said second starting alloy is in the form (metal 2 ) and (solute 2 ), where metal 1 is one or more metals taken from the group Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Os, Ir, Pt, and Au; wherein solute 1 is one or more metals or metalloids capable of forming a stable compound with metalloids from solute 2 ; wherein metal 2 is one or more metals possessing sufficient liquid solubility for solute 2 elements; and wherein solute 2 is one or more compound forming metalloids.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 4 wherein solute 1 is taken from the group consisting of the metals Be, Mg, Ca, Y, rare earth metals, Th, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Re, Al and the metalloids B and Si, solute 2 is taken from the group B, C, Si, N, P, Sb, O, S and metal 2 is taken from the group Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
16 words
The method of claims 1 or 5 wherein said rapid solidification is performed by melt spinning.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
15 words
The method of claims 1 or 5 wherein said rapid solidification is performed by atomization.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
27 words
The method of claims 1 or 5 wherein the ratio of the liquidus-solidus temperature interval to the liquidus temperature of the final alloy is greater than 0.2.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
228 words
A method of rapidly solidifying an alloy having a large liquidus-solidus temperature interval as compared to the liquidus temperature of the final alloy, the completely solidified alloy having a constituent in the submicron range, made from components which have been chemically reacted together, comprising the steps of: providing a first starting alloy having a solvent and a chemically reactable component, said first starting alloy having a predetermined liquidus temperature; providing a second starting alloy having a solvent and a component chemically reactable with said first mentioned component, said second starting alloy having a predetermined liquidus temperature; melting said first and second starting alloys; mixing said melted starting alloys in a melt mix reaction mixing zone at a temperature less than the liquidus temperature of the final alloy, the mixing temperature being at or above the higher of the liquidus temperatures of the starting alloys; ejecting the melted alloys from a nozzle, the chemical reaction taking place either in the mixing zone or nozzle or both, with the mixing time controlled by the mixing zone and nozzle to provide a sufficiently short dwell time such that the subsequent cooling period for the rapid solidification of the mixed starting alloys is short enough to provide a macroscopic homogeneous dispersion of submicron particles of the constituent in the host; and rapidly solidifying the ejected alloys to produce a completely solidified alloy.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
228 words
A method of rapidly solidifying an alloy having a large liquidus-solidus temperature interval as compared to the liquidus temperature of the final alloy, the completely solidified alloy having a constituent in the submicron range, made from components which have been chemically reacted together, comprising the steps of: providing a first starting alloy having a solvent and a chemically reactable component, said first starting alloy having a predetermined liquidus temperature; providing a second starting alloy having a solvent and a component chemically reactable with said first mentioned component, said second starting alloy having a predetermined liquidus temperature; melting said first and second starting alloys; mixing said melted starting alloys in a melt mix reaction mixing zone at a temperature less than the liquidus temperature of the final alloy, the mixing temperature being at or above the higher of the liquidus temperatures of the starting alloys; ejecting the melted alloys from a nozzle, the chemical reaction taking place either in the mixing zone or nozzle or both, with the mixing time controlled by the mixing zone and nozzle to provide a sufficiently short dwell time such that the subsequent cooling period for the rapid solidification of the mixed starting alloys is short enough to provide a macroscopic homogeneous dispersion of submicron particles of the constituent in the host; and rapidly solidifying the ejected alloys to produce a completely solidified alloy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the ratio of the liquidus-solidus temperature interval to the liquidus temperature of the final alloy is greater than 0.2.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said rapid solidifying step includes the step of ejecting the mixed alloys onto a melt spinning wheel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said rapid solidifying step includes the step of atomizing said mixed alloys.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the said solvents are the same.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said final alloy is multiphasic.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 10 and further including the step of heat treating the completely solidified alloy after rapid solidification to form a precipitate of the constituent in the host matrix of the completely solidified alloy.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
217 words
A method of rapidly solidifying an alloy having a predetermined liquidus-solidus temperature interval so as to produce a dispersion of a submicron constituent in a final alloy, the constituent having been made from components which have been chemically reacted together, comprising the steps of: providing a first starting alloy having a chemically reactable component, said first starting alloy having a predetermined liquidus temperature; providing a second starting alloy having a component chemically reactable with said first mentioned component, said second starting alloy having predetermined liquidus temperature; melting said first and second starting alloys; mixing said melted starting alloys in a melt mix reaction mixing zone at a temperature less than the liquidus temperature of the final alloy, the mixing temperature being at or above the higher of the liquidus temperatures of the starting alloys; ejecting the melted alloys from a nozzle, the chemical reaction taking place either in the mixing zone or nozzle or both, with the mixing time controlled by the mixing zone and nozzle to provide a sufficiently short dwell time such that the subsequent cooling period for the rapid solidification of the mixed starting alloys is short enough to provide a homogeneous dispersion of submicron particles of the constituent in the host; and rapidly solidifying the ejected alloys to produce a completely solidified alloy.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
217 words
A method of rapidly solidifying an alloy having a predetermined liquidus-solidus temperature interval so as to produce a dispersion of a submicron constituent in a final alloy, the constituent having been made from components which have been chemically reacted together, comprising the steps of: providing a first starting alloy having a chemically reactable component, said first starting alloy having a predetermined liquidus temperature; providing a second starting alloy having a component chemically reactable with said first mentioned component, said second starting alloy having predetermined liquidus temperature; melting said first and second starting alloys; mixing said melted starting alloys in a melt mix reaction mixing zone at a temperature less than the liquidus temperature of the final alloy, the mixing temperature being at or above the higher of the liquidus temperatures of the starting alloys; ejecting the melted alloys from a nozzle, the chemical reaction taking place either in the mixing zone or nozzle or both, with the mixing time controlled by the mixing zone and nozzle to provide a sufficiently short dwell time such that the subsequent cooling period for the rapid solidification of the mixed starting alloys is short enough to provide a homogeneous dispersion of submicron particles of the constituent in the host; and rapidly solidifying the ejected alloys to produce a completely solidified alloy.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said first and second alloys are in the form of a liquid solution based on a solvent.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said first and second alloys are in the form of molten compounds.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Al(Si)+Al(Mg)→Al+Mg 2 Si.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Al(Ti)+Al(B)→Al+TiB 2 .
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Al+Cu(O)→Al(Cu)+Al 2 O 3 .
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Al+Ni(O)→Al+Al 3 Ni+Al 2 O 3 .
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Cu(Al)+Cu(O)→Cu+Al 2 O 3 .
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Cu(Al)+Ni(O)→(Cu,Ni)+Al 2 O 3 .
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: (Cu,Ni)(Nb)+Cu(Ge,Al)→Cu(Ni)+Nb 3 (Ge,Al).
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Cu(Si)+Cu(O)→Cu+SiO 2 .
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Ni(Th)+Ni(O)→Ni+ThO 2 .
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Ni(Al)+Ni(O)→Ni+Al 2 O 3 .
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Ni(Al)+(Ni,Cu)(O)→Ni(Cu)+Al 2 O 3 .
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Ni(B)+Ni(Mo)→Ni+Mo x B.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Ni(B)+Ni(Ti)→Ni+TiB 2 .
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Ni(Al)+Ni(Nb)→Ni+Nb 3 Al.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Co(C)+Co(W)→Co+Wc.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Co(C)+Co(Mo)→Co+MoC.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Fe(C)+Fe(Mo,W)→Fe+(Mo,W)C.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Ag(Cd)+Cu(O)→Ag(Cu)+CdO.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Ag(Bi)+Cu(O)→Ag(Cu)+Bi 2 O 3 .
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Pb(Sb)+Pb(In)→Pb+InSb.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Si(Th)+Si(O)→Si+ThO 2 .
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
114 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said first starting alloy is of the form (metal 1 ) and (solute 1 ) and wherein said second starting alloy is in the form (metal 2 ) and (solute 2 ), where metal 1 is one or more metals taken from the group Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ox, Ir, Pt, and Au; wherein solute 1 is one or more metals or metalloids capable of forming a stable compound with metalloids from solute 2 ; wherein metal 2 is one or more metals possessing sufficient liquid solubility for solute 2 elements; and wherein solute 2 is one or more compound forming metalloids.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 40 wherein solute 1 is taken from the group consisting of the metals Be, Mg, Ca, Y, rare earth metals, Th, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Re, Al and the metalloids B and Si, solute 2 is taken from the group B, C, Si, N, P, Sb, O, S, and metal 2 is taken from the group Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the components and the chemical reaction are given by the formula: Ni(y)+Ni(o)→Ni+Y 2 O 3 .