Provided is a nitrided metal surface functionalized with molecules, each molecule comprising at least one binding group and an antimicrobial moiety. The molecules are immobilized on the surface by only covalent interactions between the binding groups of the molecules and nitrogen atoms within the nitrided metal surface. Articles comprising the functionalized nitrided surface find use in inhibiting or reducing the growth of microorganisms on surfaces that are frequently touched. A method for preparing the functionalized nitrided surface comprises contacting a nitrided metal surface with molecules so as to form covalent bonds between the binding groups of the molecules and the nitrogen atoms in the surface, thereby immobilising the molecules on the metal surface.

Provided is a method for increasing magnetic induction intensity of soft magnetic metallic materials. The method includes carburizing or carbonitriding the soft magnetic metallic materials with carbon source or a carbonitriding agent by a heat treatment process, to increase the magnetic induction intensity of the soft magnetic metallic materials, wherein the soft magnetic metallic materials are amorphous materials, nanocrystals, silicon steel, or pure iron.

Provided is a method for increasing magnetic induction intensity of soft magnetic metallic materials. The method includes carburizing or carbonitriding the soft magnetic metallic materials with carbon source or a carbonitriding agent by a heat treatment process, to increase the magnetic induction intensity of the soft magnetic metallic materials, wherein the soft magnetic metallic materials are amorphous materials, nanocrystals, silicon steel, or pure iron.

The present invention relates to alloy compositions for 3D metal printing procedures which provide metallic parts with high hardness, tensile strengths, yield strengths, and elongation. The alloys include Fe, Cr and Mo and at least three or more elements selected from C, Ni, Cu, Nb, Si and N. As built parts indicate a tensile strength of at least 1000 MPa, yield strength of at least 640 MPa, elongation of at least 3.0% and hardness (HV) of at least 375.

A process of converting an outer layer of an object made of a refractory metal, such as titanium, into a carbide of the refractory metal. A molten metal, such as molten lithium, is placed adjacent the outer surface of the object. The lithium does not react with the titanium, nor is it soluble within the titanium to any significant extent at the temperatures involved. The molten lithium contains elemental carbon, that is, free carbon atoms. At high temperature, the carbon diffuses into the titanium, and reacts with titanium atoms to form titanium carbide in an outer layer. Significantly, no other atoms are present, such as hydrogen or oxygen, which can cause problems, because they are blocked by the molten lithium.

A process of converting an outer layer of an object made of a refractory metal, such as titanium, into a carbide of the refractory metal. A molten metal, such as molten lithium, is placed adjacent the outer surface of the object. The lithium does not react with the titanium, nor is it soluble within the titanium to any significant extent at the temperatures involved. The molten lithium contains elemental carbon, that is, free carbon atoms. At high temperature, the carbon diffuses into the titanium, and reacts with titanium atoms to form titanium carbide in an outer layer. Significantly, no other atoms are present, such as hydrogen or oxygen, which can cause problems, because they are blocked by the molten lithium.

This invention relates to a partially carbonitriding heat treated stainless steel ferrule, having a first region with a first hardness and a second region with a second hardness, wherein the first region includes a nitrogen layer having a nitrogen concentration higher than a carbon concentration, and a carbon layer formed under the nitrogen layer and having a carbon concentration higher than a nitrogen concentration, so that the first hardness is greater than the second hardness. Thereby, partial heat treatment is effective at preventing rotational torque of the region, except for the portion to be heat treated, from increasing due to the total hardening.

This invention relates to a partially carbonitriding heat treated stainless steel ferrule, having a first region with a first hardness and a second region with a second hardness, wherein the first region includes a nitrogen layer having a nitrogen concentration higher than a carbon concentration, and a carbon layer formed under the nitrogen layer and having a carbon concentration higher than a nitrogen concentration, so that the first hardness is greater than the second hardness. Thereby, partial heat treatment is effective at preventing rotational torque of the region, except for the portion to be heat treated, from increasing due to the total hardening.

A process of converting an outer layer of an object made of a refractory metal, such as titanium, into a carbide of the refractory metal. A molten metal, such as molten lithium, is placed adjacent the outer surface of the object. The lithium does not react with the titanium, nor is it soluble within the titanium to any significant extent at the temperatures involved. The molten lithium contains elemental carbon, that is, free carbon atoms. At high temperature, the carbon diffuses into the titanium, and reacts with titanium atoms to form titanium carbide in an outer layer. Significantly, no other atoms are present, such as hydrogen or oxygen, which can cause problems, because they are blocked by the molten lithium.

A process of converting an outer layer of an object made of a refractory metal, such as titanium, into a carbide of the refractory metal. A molten metal, such as molten lithium, is placed adjacent the outer surface of the object. The lithium does not react with the titanium, nor is it soluble within the titanium to any significant extent at the temperatures involved. The molten lithium contains elemental carbon, that is, free carbon atoms. At high temperature, the carbon diffuses into the titanium, and reacts with titanium atoms to form titanium carbide in an outer layer. Significantly, no other atoms are present, such as hydrogen or oxygen, which can cause problems, because they are blocked by the molten lithium.