Abstract:
Recrystallized lead and lead alloy positive current collectors and connectors such as straps and lugs for use e.g. in lead acid batteries and electrowinning anodes, having an increased percentage of special grain boundaries in at least part of the microstructure, which have been provided by a process comprising of (i) cold or hot rolling or cold or hot extrusion or (ii) steps of deforming the lead or lead alloy, and subsequently annealing the lead or lead alloy. Either a single cycle of working and annealing can be provided, or a plurality of such cycles can be provided. The amount of deformation, the recrystallization time and temperature, and the number of repetitions of such steps are selected to ensure that a substantial increase in the population of special grain boundaries is provided in the microstructure, to improve resistance to creep, intergranular corrosion and intergranular cracking of the current collectors and connectors during battery service, and result in extended battery life and the opportunity to reduce the size and weight of the battery.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for forming coatings or free-standing deposits of nanocrystalline metals, metal alloys or metal matrix composites. The process employs drum plating or selective plating processes involving pulse electrodeposition and a non-stationary anode or cathode. Novel nanocrystalline metal matrix composites and micro components are disclosed as well. Also described is a process for forming micro components with grain sizes below 1,000nm.
Abstract:
Recrystallized lead and lead alloy positive current collectors and connector s such as straps and lugs for use e.g. in lead acid batteries and electrowinni ng anodes, having an increased percentage of special grain boundaries in at lea st part of the microstructure, which have been provided by a process comprising of (i) cold or hot rolling or cold or hot extrusion or (ii) steps of deformi ng the lead or lead alloy, and subsequently annealing the lead or lead alloy. Either a single cycle of working and annealing can be provided, or a plurali ty of such cycles can be provided. The amount of deformation, the recrystallization time and temperature, and the number of repetitions of suc h steps are selected to ensure that a substantial increase in the population o f special grain boundaries is provided in the microstructure, to improve resistance to creep, intergranular corrosion and intergranular cracking of t he current collectors and connectors during battery service, and result in extended battery life and the opportunity to reduce the size and weight of t he battery.
Abstract:
Free standing articles or articles at least partially coated with substantially porosity free, fine-grained and/or amorphous Co-bearing metallic materials optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein, are disclosed. The electrodeposited metallic layers and/or patches comprising Co provide, enhance or restore strength, wear and/or lubricity of substrates without reducing the fatigue performance compared to either uncoated or equivalent thickness Cr coated substrate. The fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings comprising Co are particularly suited for articles exposed to thermal cycling, fatigue and other stresses and/or in applications requiring anti-microbial and hydrophobic properties.
Abstract:
Metal-clad polymer articles containing structural fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings/layers optionally containing solid particulates dispersed therein, are disclosed. The fine-grained and/or amorphous metallic coatings are particularly suited for strong and lightweight articles, precision molds, sporting goods, automotive parts and components exposed to thermal cycling although the coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) of the metallic layer and the substrate are mismatched. The interface between the metallic layer and the polymer is suitably pretreated to withstand thermal cycling without failure.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for forming coatings or free-standing deposits of nanocrystalline metals, metal alloys or metal matrix composites. The process employs drum plating or selective plating processes involving pulse electrodeposition and a non-stationary anode or cathode. Novel nanocrystalline metal matrix composites and micro components are disclosed as well. Also described is a process for forming micro components with grain sizes below 1,000nm.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for forming coatings or free-standing deposits of nanocrystalline metals, metal alloys or metal matrix composites. The process employs drum plating or selective plating processes involving pulse electrodeposition and a non-stationary anode or cathode. Novel nanocrystalline metal matrix composites and micro components are disclosed as well. Also described is a process for forming micro components with grain sizes below 1,000nm.
Abstract:
Polycrystalline materials are prepared by electrodeposition of a precursor material that is subsequently heat-treated to induce at least a threefold increase in the grain size of the material to yield a relatively high fraction of 'special' low S grain boundaries and a randomized crystallographic texture. The precursor metallic material has sufficient purity and a fine-grained microstructure (e.g., an average grain size of 4 nm to 5 µm). The resulting metallic material is suited to the fabrication of articles requiring high mechanical or physical isotropy and/or resistance to grain boundary-mediated deformation or degradation mechanisms.
Abstract:
Polycrystalline materials are prepared by electrodeposition of a precursor material that is subsequently heat-treated to induce at least a threefold increase in the grain size of the material to yield a relatively high fraction of 'special' low .SIGMA. grain boundaries and a randomized crystallographic texture. The precursor metallic material has sufficient purity and a fine-grained microstructure (e.g., an average grain size of 4 nm to 5 µm). The resulting metallic material is suited to the fabrication of articles requiring high mechanical or physical isotropy and/or resistance to grain boundary-mediated deformation or degradation mechanisms.
Abstract:
La presente invención se refiere a artículos o artículos autónomos recubiertos al menos parcialmente con materiales metálicos que llevan Co amorfos y/o de granos finos, substancialmente libres de porosidad, que contienen opcionalmente materiales particulados sólidos dispersados en los mismos. Las capas y/o parches metálicos electrodepositados que comprenden Co proporcionan, mejoran o restablecen la resistencia, el uso y/o la lubricidad de los substratos sin reducir el funcionamiento en condiciones de fatiga comparado con el substrato recubierto con Cr no recubierto o de espesor equivalente. Los recubrimientos metálicos amorfos y/o de granos finos que comprenden Co son particularmente adecuados para los artículos expuestos a ciclización térmica, fatiga y otras tensiones y/o en aplicaciones que requieren propiedades antimicrobianas e hidrofóbicas.