Provided are: a closed-die forging method capable of preventing a temperature decrease in a to-be-forged member during forging, easy temperature monitoring during forging, and filling the cavity end portions of a die with the to-be-forged member; and a method of manufacturing a forged article using the closed-die forging method. The closed-die forging method includes covering a surface of the to-be-forged member (preferably a super-alloy) that contacts the lower die with a metal heat-insulation member (preferably stainless steel) prior to forging, except for at least a part of the surface that contacts an upper die during forging, placing the heated to-be-forged member on a lower die, and hammer-forging the to-be-forged member integrally with the metal heat-insulation member. A forged article is prepared by heat-treating the forged article obtained by the closed-die forging method (preferably in a disk shape) at temperatures not lower than the recrystallization temperature of the forged article.

A composition for direct-current cathodic electrolysis. The composition is capable of forming a lubrication-film-equipped metal material exhibiting excellent lubrication properties and excellent chemical conversion properties after degreasing. This composition for direct-current cathodic electrolysis includes: (A) at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of typical metal ions (excluding zinc ion) having a valency of at least 2 and rare-earth-element ions, or a complex thereof; (B) an organic acid compound including, in the molecule thereof, a carboxyl group, and a straight-chain alkylene group having at least 4 carbon atoms; and (C) water.

A composition for direct-current cathodic electrolysis. The composition is capable of forming a lubrication-film-equipped metal material exhibiting excellent lubrication properties and excellent chemical conversion properties after degreasing. This composition for direct-current cathodic electrolysis includes: (A) at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of typical metal ions (excluding zinc ion) having a valency of at least 2 and rare-earth-element ions, or a complex thereof; (B) an organic acid compound including, in the molecule thereof, a carboxyl group, and a straight-chain alkylene group having at least 4 carbon atoms; and (C) water.

A system and method of processing an alloy ingot or other alloy workpiece to reduce thermal cracking and reduce friction between the workpiece and the forging die may generally comprise positioning a multi-layer pad between the workpiece and the forging die. An article for processing an alloy ingot or other alloy workpiece to reduce thermal cracking also is disclosed. The present disclosure also is directed to an alloy workpieces processed according to the methods described herein, and to articles of manufacture including or made from alloy workpieces made according to these methods.

A system and method of processing an alloy ingot or other alloy workpiece to reduce thermal cracking and reduce friction between the workpiece and the forging die may generally comprise positioning a multi-layer pad between the workpiece and the forging die. An article for processing an alloy ingot or other alloy workpiece to reduce thermal cracking also is disclosed. The present disclosure also is directed to an alloy workpieces processed according to the methods described herein, and to articles of manufacture including or made from alloy workpieces made according to these methods.

Provided herein are compositions comprising at least one estolide compound of formula: ##STR00001##
in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R.sub.1, independently for each occurrence, is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R.sub.2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided are uses of the compositions described herein.

Provided herein are compositions comprising at least one estolide compound of formula: ##STR00001##
in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R.sub.1, independently for each occurrence, is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R.sub.2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided are uses of the compositions described herein.

A system and method of processing an alloy ingot or other alloy workpiece to reduce thermal cracking and reduce friction between the workpiece and the forging die may generally comprise positioning a multi-layer pad between the workpiece and the forging die. An article for processing an alloy ingot or other alloy workpiece to reduce thermal cracking also is disclosed. The present disclosure also is directed to an alloy workpieces processed according to the methods described herein, and to articles of manufacture including or made from alloy workpieces made according to these methods.

A system and method of processing an alloy ingot or other alloy workpiece to reduce thermal cracking and reduce friction between the workpiece and the forging die may generally comprise positioning a multi-layer pad between the workpiece and the forging die. An article for processing an alloy ingot or other alloy workpiece to reduce thermal cracking also is disclosed. The present disclosure also is directed to an alloy workpieces processed according to the methods described herein, and to articles of manufacture including or made from alloy workpieces made according to these methods.

A method for manufacturing a hot-forged member includes heating an unheated material for hot forging in a furnace to a hot forging temperature; bonding a heat-resistant insulation material to at least a part of a surface of a material for forging removed from the furnace to obtain a material to be hot forged; and compressing a part or all of the material to be hot forged into a predetermined shape using any of a die, an anvil, and a tool.