US4547649A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for superficial marking of zirconium and certain other metals
Assignee: Elsag International BV
•
Filing: 1983-03-04
•
Granted: 1985-10-15
•
Expires: 2003-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A marking system for providing a superficial metallurgically immaterial mark on zirconium, its alloys, and other metals is disclosed. The method includes producing a thin oxide layer on the surface of the metal, and locally heating a portion of the oxide layer to reduce it to the base metal and oxygen, which is driven into solid solution, thereby leaving a mark of contrasting color.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald B. Butt
- 👤 William C. Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:45
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/26; B41M5/262; B23; B23K; B23K2101/00; B23K2101/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A nondestructive method of marking a metallic element of group 4b of elements in the periodic table comprising the sequential steps of: oxidizing the surface of said metallic element to produce an oxide layer of a color that contrasts with the color of said metallic element; and heating selected areas of the oxidized surface of said element locally to produce a contrasting mark by reduction of said heated selected areas of oxide layer to said metallic element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
A nondestructive method of marking a metallic element of group 4b of elements in the periodic table comprising the sequential steps of: oxidizing the surface of said metallic element to produce an oxide layer of a color that contrasts with the color of said metallic element; and heating selected areas of the oxidized surface of said element locally to produce a contrasting mark by reduction of said heated selected areas of oxide layer to said metallic element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said metallic element is zirconium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of heating is carried out by a laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said laser is computer controlled.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said oxidizing step further comprises anodizing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said heating step is carried out at a temperature of approximately 1300° F.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
A nondestructive method of marking a metallic alloy of a metallic element of group 4b of elements in the periodic table comprising the sequential steps of: oxidizing the surface of said metallic alloy to produce an oxide layer thereon of a color that contrasts with the color of said metallic alloy and heating selected areas of the surface of said oxidized metallic alloy locally to produce a contrasting mark by reduction of said heated selected areas of oxide layer to said metallic element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
A nondestructive method of marking a metallic alloy of a metallic element of group 4b of elements in the periodic table comprising the sequential steps of: oxidizing the surface of said metallic alloy to produce an oxide layer thereon of a color that contrasts with the color of said metallic alloy and heating selected areas of the surface of said oxidized metallic alloy locally to produce a contrasting mark by reduction of said heated selected areas of oxide layer to said metallic element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said metallic alloy comprises zirconium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said metallic alloy comprises zircaloy-4.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the step of heating is carried out by a laser.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said laser is computer controlled.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said oxidizing step further comprises anodizing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said heating step is carried out at a temperature of approximately 1300° F.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
78 words
A nondestructive method for temporarily marking a metallic alloy selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, and hafnium based alloys, comprising: a. first anodizing said alloy to produce an oxidized surface layer of a color in contrast to the color of said alloy; and b. secondly locally heating selected areas of said oxidized layer at a temperature of approximately 705° C., causing reduction of said selected areas to said metallic alloy whereby a contrasting mark is produced.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
78 words
A nondestructive method for temporarily marking a metallic alloy selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, and hafnium based alloys, comprising: a. first anodizing said alloy to produce an oxidized surface layer of a color in contrast to the color of said alloy; and b. secondly locally heating selected areas of said oxidized layer at a temperature of approximately 705° C., causing reduction of said selected areas to said metallic alloy whereby a contrasting mark is produced.
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) | 1988-10-14 | 1989-04-15 | 1989-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-14 | 1993-04-15 | 1993-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-14 | 1997-04-15 | 1997-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |