A powder for the production of a superconducting component. The powder includes Nb.sub.xSn.sub.y, where 1≤x≤6 and 1≤y≤5, and three-dimensional agglomerates having a particle size D90 of less than 400 μm, as determined via a laser light scattering. The three-dimensional agglomerates have primary particles which have an average particle diameter of less than 15 μm, as determined via a scanning electron microscopy, and pores of which at least 90% have a diameter of from 0.1 to 20 μm, as determined via a mercury porosimetry.

The disclosure concerns methods for making a composition comprising a light metal and an intermetallic comprising the light metal and a light rare earth element. The composition also may include a plurality of nanoparticles comprising an oxide of the light metal. The method includes directly reducing a light rare earth element precursor compound in a melt of the light metal, thereby forming the light rare earth element and nanoparticles of the light metal oxide.

The invention relates to a forming method of an alloy comprising predominantly Ti β or nearby β stage, comprising the steps of: Preparation of a homogeneous mixture of particle powder comprising micrometric particles of pure Ti and nanoscale particles of at least one additional element or compound promoting the beta phase of the Ti during its cooling from its phase transition temperature. exposing said particle powder mixture to a focused energy source that is selectively heat at least a portion of a bed of said homogeneous powder mixture at a temperature between 850 and 1850° C. cooling of the part having undergone this exposure with conservation of the phase b of the Ti.

Provided are a thermoelectric material having excellent thermoelectric characteristics at room temperature; a method for producing same; and a thermoelectric power generation element. In an embodiment of the present invention, the thermoelectric material contains an inorganic compound containing magnesium (Mg), silver (Ag), antimony (Sb) and copper (Cu), and is represented by the formula Mg.sub.1−aCu.sub.aAg.sub.bSb.sub.c, and the parameters a, b and c satisfy: 0<a≤0.1, 0.95≤b≤1.05 and 0.95≤c≤1.05. The inorganic compound may be an a phase of a half-Heusler structure and have the symmetry of the space group I-4c2.

Provided are a thermoelectric material having excellent thermoelectric characteristics at room temperature; a method for producing same; and a thermoelectric power generation element. In an embodiment of the present invention, the thermoelectric material contains an inorganic compound containing magnesium (Mg), silver (Ag), antimony (Sb) and copper (Cu), and is represented by the formula Mg.sub.1−aCu.sub.aAg.sub.bSb.sub.c, and the parameters a, b and c satisfy: 0<a≤0.1, 0.95≤b≤1.05 and 0.95≤c≤1.05. The inorganic compound may be an a phase of a half-Heusler structure and have the symmetry of the space group I-4c2.

An objective of the invention is to provide an Ni-based alloy softened powder that is formed of a high precipitation-strengthened Ni-based alloy material, has better forming/molding processability than ever before, and is suitable for powder metallurgy. The Ni-based alloy softened powder has a chemical composition allowing γ′ phase precipitated in γ phase as a matrix to have an equilibrium precipitation amount of 30-80 volume % at 700° C., has an average particle size of 5-500 μm, and includes particles comprising a polycrystalline body of fine crystals of the γ phase. The γ′ phase is precipitated on grain boundaries of the γ phase fine crystals in an amount of 20 volume % or more. And, the particles have a Vickers hardness of 370 Hv or less at room temperature.

A Ni-based superalloy composition to be used for powder-based additive manufacturing (AM) technology, such as selective laser melting (SLM) or electron beam melting (EBM). The cracking susceptibility during an AM process is considerably reduced by controlling the amount of elements, especially Hf, that form low-melting eutectics.

A Ni-based superalloy composition to be used for powder-based additive manufacturing (AM) technology, such as selective laser melting (SLM) or electron beam melting (EBM). The cracking susceptibility during an AM process is considerably reduced by controlling the amount of elements, especially Hf, that form low-melting eutectics.

An alloy represented by the formula (Mn.sub.xAl.sub.y)C.sub.z, the alloy being aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), and carbon (C), and optionally unavoidable impurities; wherein x=56.0 to 59.0 y=41.0 to 44.0 x+y=100, and z=1.5 to 2.4. The alloy is highly suitable for forming the ε and τ phase in high purity and high microstructural homogeneity. A method for processing an alloy of formula (Mn.sub.x′Al.sub.y′)C.sub.z′, wherein x′=52.0 to 59.0, y′=41.0 to 48.0, x′+y′=100, and z′=0.1 to 3.0, the process including providing the raw materials of the alloy, melting the raw materials, and forming particles of the alloy by gas atomization of the molten alloy.

Metallic matrix composites include a high strength titanium aluminide alloy matrix and an in situ formed aluminum oxide reinforcement. The atomic percentage of aluminum in the titanium aluminide alloy matrix can vary from 40% to 48%. Included are methods of making the metallic matrix composites, in particular, through the performance of an exothermic chemical reaction. The metallic matrix composites can exhibit low porosity.