[en] This patent describes a workable, boron-containing, stainless steel alloy, an article formed therefrom, and a process for manufacturing same. The as-worked alloy in accordance with the invention is characterized by having a boride particle areal density per weight percent boron (A_N) defined by a relationship given

[en] Alloys of Fe₄₉Co₄₉V₂ (Hiperco Alloy 50) (Hiperco is a registered trademark of CRS Holdings, Inc.), both annealed and thermally aged, were studied using anomalous synchrotron x-ray and neutron powder diffraction. Rietveld and diffraction profile analysis indicated both an increase in the structural order parameter and a small lattice expansion (∼0.0004 A) after aging at 450 degree C for 200 h. In addition, a cubic minority phase (<0.3%) was identified in the open-quote open-quote annealed close-quote close-quote sample, which increased noticeably (0.3%→0.8%) as a result of aging. The presence of antiphase domain boundaries in the alloys was also revealed. These results directly correlate with the observed changes in the magnetization behavior and challenge the notion that a open-quote open-quote fully close-quote close-quote ordered Fe endash Co alloy demonstrates optimum soft magnetic properties. copyright 1996 American Institute of Physics

[en] The development of a new class of Fe-based thermal neutron absorbing alloys (patent pending) containing both natural boron (B) and gadolinium (Gd) is reviewed. Testing has shown that Ar and N inert gas atomized powder metallurgy (PM) variants offer superior processability coupled with improved mechanical properties that exhibit reduced anisotropy and reduced corrosion rates compared to conventional cast/wrought processed material. PM processing results in a microstructure containing a uniform distribution of second phase borides and gadolinides, and the morphology of the gadolinides prevents the formation low melting point Gd-bearing phases at solidifying austenite boundaries. The new T316-based materials containing both B and Gd exhibit superior corrosion resistance compared to straight B-bearing T304 materials. By keeping the B content < 1 weight percent (%) and using Gd to attain an equivalent B (B_Eq) content higher than that achievable through the use of B only, the new materials exhibit superior ductility, toughness and bendability as a result of significantly reduced area fraction of Cr-rich M₂B borides. Limiting the total area fraction of second phase particles to < 22% insures a product with superior bendability. By restricting B to < 1% and using Gd up to 2.5%, B_Eq levels approaching 12% can be attained that provide a cost effective improvement in thermal neutron absorption capability compared to using B-10 enriched boron. The new materials can be easily bent during fabrication compared to existing metal matrix composite materials while offering similar thermal neutron absorption capability. Production lots containing B_Eq levels of 4.0 and 7.5% (Micro-Melt^R DuoSorb^TM 316NU-40 and 75, respectively) are in the process of being fabricated for customer trial material. (authors)