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US4960654A
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Metal composition comprising zinc oxide whiskers
Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1989-08-29
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Granted: 1990-10-02
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Expires: 2009-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A metal composition comprising zinc oxide whiskers dispersed in a metal matrix. The whiskers comprise at least one needle crystal having a basal part whose diameter is from 0.7 to 14 micrometers and a length from the basal part to its tip of from 3 to 200 micrometers. The metal composition is isotropically reinforced with respect to mechanical strength and is significantly improved in free cuttability.
Inventors
- 👤 Minoru Yoshinaka
- 👤 Eizo Asakura
- 👤 Mitsumasa Oku
- 👤 Takeshi Hamabe
- 👤 Motoi Kitano
- 👤 Hideyuki Yoshida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:44
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C38/00; C22C49/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12486; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/256
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A metal composition which comprises a mixture of a metal and whiskers of zinc oxide dispersed in the metal matrix, each zinc oxide whisker having at least one needle crystal which includes a basal part having a diameter of from 0.7 to 14 micrometers and having a length from the basal part to the tip of from 3 to 200 micrometers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A metal composition which comprises a mixture of a metal and whiskers of zinc oxide dispersed in the metal matrix, each zinc oxide whisker having at least one needle crystal which includes a basal part having a diameter of from 0.7 to 14 micrometers and having a length from the basal part to the tip of from 3 to 200 micrometers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A metal composition according to claim 1, wherein said whiskers comprise zinc oxide whiskers each having a central body and a plurality of needle crystal projections extending radially from the central body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A metal composition according to claim 2, wherein said whiskers consists essentially of the zinc oxide whiskers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A metal composition according to claim 2, wherein said whiskers comprise a mixture of zinc oxide whiskers having central bodies and one, two, three and/or four needle crystal projections extending from the central bodies, respectively, and needle crystals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A metal composition according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of needle crystal projections are four needle crystal projections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A metal composition according to claim 1, wherein said whiskers are contained in an amount of from 0.1 to 50% by volume of the composition whereby the free cuttability of the metal composition is improved.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A metal composition according to claim 6, wherein the amount is from 5 to 30% by volume.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A metal composition according to claim 1, wherein said whiskers are contained in an amount of from 5 to 50% by volume of the composition wherein the metal composition is mechanically reinforced.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A metal composition according to claim 8, wherein the amount is from 8 to 30% by volume.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
A metal composition according to claim 1, wherein said metal is a member selected from the group consisting of simple substances mainly composed of titanium, aluminum, copper, lead, magnesium, tin, zinc, beryllium, calcium, strontium, barium, scandium, lanthanum, manganese, silver, gold, cadmium, mercury, gallium, indium, thalium, germanium, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, selenium, tellurium, uranium, neodium, lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium and cerium rubidium, and alloys of one or more metals defined above.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A metal composition according to claim 10, wherein said metal is aluminum or its alloy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A metal composition according to claim 10, wherein said metal is copper or its alloy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A metal composition according to claim 10, wherein said metal is magnesium or its alloy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A metal composition according to claim 10, wherein said metal is titanium or its alloy.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A metal composition according to claim 10, further comprising at least one high melting metal selected from the group consisting of yttrium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, iron, ruthenium, osmium, cobalt, rhodium, iridium, nickel, palladium, platinum, technetium and rhenium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A metal composition according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the basal part is from 0.9 to 10 micrometers and the length of from 10 to 140 micrometers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A metal composition according to claim 16, wherein the diameter is from 0.9 to 1.8 micrometers and the length is from 10 to 30 micrometers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A metal composition according to claim 1, further comprising up to 30% by volume of whiskers, powders, flakes, long or short fibers of a metal or inorganic material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-10-01 | 1994-04-02 | 1994-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-01 | 1998-04-02 | 1998-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-01 | 2002-04-02 | 2002-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |