A method for friction stir forming a metal matrix composite (MMC) structure (76). The method includes the step of providing a substrate (12) comprising a metallic material and securing a preformed MMC layer (14, 16) comprising an MMC material in a position overlying at least a portion of the substrate (12). The method further includes the step of friction stirring the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) with a friction stirring tool (50) which includes a rotating probe (56), including locating the probe (56) at a stirring depth at which the probe (56) extends through the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) into a portion of the substrate (12) and passing the tool (50) through the preformed MMC layer (14) at the stirring depth to friction stir the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) and integrate the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) with the substrate (12).

Films and methods for cutting or perforating webs including films are disclosed. The films can include a polymer and a plurality of particles. The plurality of particles can include absorbent filler particles and void generating filler particles. The absorbent filler particles can provide between about 1% to about 40% by weight of the film. The void generating filler particles can provide between about 10% to about 40% by weight of the film. The absorbent filler particles can be a different particle than the void generating particles. The film can also include a plurality of voids.

Embodiments relate generally to a floating roof for use in storage tanks. A floating roof may comprise a plurality of pontoons arranged to form the floating roof. The pontoons may each comprise a lower panel, a plurality of outer walls disposed at the edges of the lower panel, and a plurality of stiffeners disposed adjacent the lower panel. Attachment points attached to the floating roof, wherein the attachment points are configured to couple the floating roof to a storage tank.

A method for forming a dispersion strengthened alloy. An alloy material (8) is melted with a heat source (28) to form a melt pool (30) in the presence of a flux material (26), and strengthening particles (36) are directed into the melt pool such that the particles are dispersed within the melt pool. Upon solidification, a dispersion strengthened alloy (44) is formed as a layer or weld joint bonded to an underlying substrate or as an object contained in a removal support.

One aspect relates to a feedthrough system. The feedthrough system includes a feedthrough and a wire. At least a portion of the feedthrough is made of an insulator and at least one area forming an electrically conductive cermet pathway. The cermet pathway may include an electrically conductive metal. The wire may be at least partially connected to the cermet pathway so that the material of the wire forms a joint microstructure with the electrically conductive material in the cermet pathway.

The embodiments relate to a method for additive manufacturing of a component made from a metal matrix composite for a vehicle. In a step of the method, a plurality of elongated filaments is provided. In another step, metallic powder is provided. In a further step, the metal matrix composite component is additively manufactured by melting the metallic powder.

A tire mold or a tire mold segment can include an air compression cavity, which connects to multiple surface connection slots having dimensions between 10 and 300 microns, which can be suitable for selective removal of air in the mold. The air compression cavity, can be close to the outside ambient, allowing the air escaping the interior of the mold to be compressed, which can assist in preventing the rubber material from leaving the mold pattern surface.

A method for solid state joining of dissimilar materials using a friction stir welding device wherein a pin is inserted through an aperture defined in a first material and a second material to hold the materials together and then held in place by friction stir welding a portion of the pin to a material adjacent said pin, or by friction stir welding a cap or plug that holds the pin in place to the adjacent material. The result is a connection or join wherein the central portion of the pin is not friction stir welded but the portions holding the pin in place (the ends or caps) generally are.

A liquid-jet-guided laser system can be used to generate functional slots having different depth and sidewall profiles by applying active control of laser beam parameters. Blinds slots can be processed onto a workpiece, such as a tire mold or a turbine vane, for an insertion of a sipe or a sealing element, respectively. Through slots can also be processed onto a workpiece, such as a turbine element for cooling during operation or a semiconductor wafer for singulation purpose. The processing of the workpiece can include a two-step procedure, wherein the first step comprises a pre-cut. The pre-cut cuts a contour outline of a slot onto a workpiece corresponding to an element that is to be inserted into the slot. The second step comprises a removal cut to remove excess workpiece material in between the contour outline. The liquid-jet-guided laser system can employ multiple-wavelength processing of a multiple-material workpiece.

A method for forming a component includes providing a first layer of a mixture of first and second powders. The method includes determining the frequency of an alternating magnetic field to induce eddy currents sufficient to bulk heat only one of the first and second powders. The alternating magnetic field is applied at the determined frequency to a portion of the first layer of the mixture using a flux concentrator. Exposure to the magnetic field changes the phase of at least a portion of the first powder to liquid. A change in power transferred to the powder during a phase change in the powder is calculated to determine the quality of component formation.