Gamma titanium aluminide intermetallic compositions (gamma TiAl intermetallics) based on the TiAl (gamma) intermetallic compound. The gamma TiAl intermetallics contain chromium and niobium, as well as controlled amounts of carbon that achieve a desirable balance in room temperature mechanical properties and high temperature creep capabilities at temperatures approaching and possibly exceeding 1600 F. (about 870 C.).

Gamma titanium aluminide intermetallic compositions (gamma TiAl intermetallics) based on the TiAl (gamma) intermetallic compound. The gamma TiAl intermetallics contain chromium and niobium, as well as controlled amounts of carbon that achieve a desirable balance in room temperature mechanical properties and high temperature creep capabilities at temperatures approaching and possibly exceeding 1600 F. (about 870 C.).

Disclosed herein is a shape memory alloy comprising 48 to 50 atomic percent nickel, 15 to 30 atomic percent hafnium, 1 to 5 atomic percent aluminum; with the remainder being titanium. Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing a shape memory alloy comprising mixing together to form an alloy nickel, hafnium, aluminum and titanium in amounts of 48 to 50 atomic percent nickel, 15 to 30 atomic percent hafnium, 1 to 5 atomic percent aluminum; with the remainder being titanium; solution treating the alloy at a temperature of 700 to 1300 C. for 50 to 200 hours; and aging the alloy at a temperature of 400 to 800 C. for a time period of 50 to 200 hours to form a shape memory alloy.

Disclosed herein is a shape memory alloy comprising 48 to 50 atomic percent nickel, 15 to 30 atomic percent hafnium, 1 to 5 atomic percent aluminum; with the remainder being titanium. Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing a shape memory alloy comprising mixing together to form an alloy nickel, hafnium, aluminum and titanium in amounts of 48 to 50 atomic percent nickel, 15 to 30 atomic percent hafnium, 1 to 5 atomic percent aluminum; with the remainder being titanium; solution treating the alloy at a temperature of 700 to 1300 C. for 50 to 200 hours; and aging the alloy at a temperature of 400 to 800 C. for a time period of 50 to 200 hours to form a shape memory alloy.

Systems and methods for formation of highly reactive alkali dendrites are provided. For example, in some embodiments alkali metals are dissolved in ammonia to form metal electrides after which the ammonia is removed via vacuum to reveal highly activated metal surfaces in the form of crystalline alkali dendrites. The alkali dendrites can mimic powders but have the advantage of being freshly prepared from inexpensive and readily available metal sources. These uniquely activated metals exhibit enhanced reactivity comparatively to similar off the shelf sources of the corresponding metals. For example, the dendrites can have about 100 times greater surface area than conventional metal sources and/or be about 19 times more reactive than powders that serve as the industry standard for the preparation of organometallic compounds. After surface activation, these metals can be used to prepare various organometallic reagents.

Systems and methods for formation of highly reactive alkali dendrites are provided. For example, in some embodiments alkali metals are dissolved in ammonia to form metal electrides after which the ammonia is removed via vacuum to reveal highly activated metal surfaces in the form of crystalline alkali dendrites. The alkali dendrites can mimic powders but have the advantage of being freshly prepared from inexpensive and readily available metal sources. These uniquely activated metals exhibit enhanced reactivity comparatively to similar off the shelf sources of the corresponding metals. For example, the dendrites can have about 100 times greater surface area than conventional metal sources and/or be about 19 times more reactive than powders that serve as the industry standard for the preparation of organometallic compounds. After surface activation, these metals can be used to prepare various organometallic reagents.

Provided in one embodiment is a method of identifying a stable phase of an ordering binary alloy system comprising a solute element and a solvent element, the method comprising: determining at least three thermodynamic parameters associated with grain boundary segregation, phase separation, and intermetallic compound formation of the ordering binary alloy system; and identifying the stable phase of the ordering binary alloy system based on the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter by comparing the first thermodynamic parameter, the second thermodynamic parameter and the third thermodynamic parameter with a predetermined set of respective thermodynamic parameters to identify the stable phase; wherein the stable phase is one of a stable nanocrystalline phase, a metastable nanocrystalline phase, and a non-nanocrystalline phase.

A method and apparatus are described for creation of amorphous metals using electromagnetic supercooling of a metal/alloy without the utilization of rapid quenching or immaculate process environments. By exposing the cooling melt to electric currents, either induced by an alternating current (AC) magnetic field or supplied directly, crystallization is suppressed, and the melt can reach significant levels of supercooling. With sufficient current densities in the melt, the supercooling can extend all the way into the glass transition range for certain materials, at which point an amorphous metal/alloy is created.

A continuous precision forming device and process for an amorphous alloy or a composite material thereof is provided. By means of the device, when a melting platform with an alloy melt is rotated from the melting position to a position just below the forming mould (9), temperature of the alloy melt can be in the range of the overcooled liquid zone temperature of the alloy melt, and then a loading rod (7) drives the forming mould (9) to proceed with pressing forming. According to the process, press-forming is carried out in a certain temperature interval in the amorphous alloy melt solidification process, and the heating, cooling, solidification and forming in the forming process are coordinated, such that continuous forming of the amorphous alloy is achieved.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, a method includes obtaining a first amount of magnesium, a second amount of manganese, and a third amount of a cathodic poison and combining the magnesium, the manganese, and the cathodic poison to thereby form a kinetically hindered magnesium alloy includes less than 1 part by weight of manganese and less than about 5 parts by weight of cathodic poison based on 100 parts of the kinetically hindered magnesium alloy. The cathodic poison is configured to inhibit a cathodic reaction when combined with the magnesium.