19-10-2017 дата публикации
Номер: US20170298495A1
Принадлежит:
A process of converting an outer layer of an object made of a refractory metal, such as titanium, into a carbide of the refractory metal. A molten metal, such as molten lithium, is placed adjacent the outer surface of the object. The lithium does not react with the titanium, nor is it soluble within the titanium to any significant extent at the temperatures involved. The molten lithium contains elemental carbon, that is, free carbon atoms. At high temperature, the carbon diffuses into the titanium, and reacts with titanium atoms to form titanium carbide in an outer layer. Significantly, no other atoms are present, such as hydrogen or oxygen, which can cause problems, because they are blocked by the molten lithium. 1. An object , comprising:a) an inner region consisting of titanium, or a titanium alloy, of 98-100 weight percent purity; and i) titanium, or a titanium alloy and carbon,', 'ii) titanium, or a titanium alloy and nitrogen, or', 'iii) titanium, or a titanium alloy carbon, and nitrogen, plus trace elements not exceeding 2 weight percent total., 'b) an outer region, adjacent to and outside the inner region, which contains only'}2. The object according to claim 1 , in which the outer region surrounds the inner region.3. The object according to claim 2 , in which the outer region includes an outer surface of the object.4. The object according to which comprises a gear claim 1 , bearing claim 1 , bearing roller claim 1 , ball bearing claim 1 , bushing claim 1 , armor claim 1 , tubular products claim 1 , medical product (e.g. claim 1 , implants) claim 1 , dental products claim 1 , sporting goods (e.g. claim 1 , golf head or skies) claim 1 , bicycle products claim 1 , sheet product cutting tool claim 1 , or other products made of titanium or its alloys that need hard surface.5. An object claim 1 , comprising: i) titanium, vanadium, zirconium, hafnium, tungsten, molybdenum, or chromium, or alloys of these,', 'ii) no other elements, except trace elements not ...
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