Some variations provide a metal matrix nanocomposite composition comprising metal-containing microparticles and nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles are chemically and/or physically disposed on surfaces of the microparticles, and wherein the nanoparticles are consolidated in a three-dimensional architecture throughout the composition. The composition may serve as an ingot for producing a metal matrix nanocomposite. Other variations provide a functionally graded metal matrix nanocomposite comprising a metal-matrix phase and a reinforcement phase containing nanoparticles, wherein the nanocomposite contains a gradient in concentration of the nanoparticles. This nanocomposite may be or be converted into a master alloy. Other variations provide methods of making a metal matrix nanocomposite, methods of making a functionally graded metal matrix nanocomposite, and methods of making a master alloy metal matrix nanocomposite. The metal matrix nanocomposite may have a cast microstructure. The methods disclosed enable various loadings of nanoparticles in metal matrix nanocomposites with a wide variety of compositions.

There is provided a method of treating a nickel base super alloy (NiSa) article. First, the NiSa article having fine grains is obtained. The NiSa article has a uniform distribution of the fine grains and substantially uniform mechanical properties throughout. One or more regions within the NiSa article are mechanically deformed. Then, the NiSa article is heat treated to obtain coarse grains in the one or more regions, the coarse grains having a size that is larger than that of the fine grains of the NiSa article outside of the one or more regions.

A series of solid solutions AlFe.sub.2.sub._.sub.xMnxB.sub.2 have been synthesized by arc-melting and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, and magnetic measurements. All the compounds adopt the parent AlFe.sub.2B.sub.2-type structure, in which infinite zigzag chains of B atoms are connected by Fe atoms into [Fe.sub.2B.sub.2] slabs that alternate with layers of Al atoms along the b axis. The parent AlFe.sub.2B.sub.2 is a ferromagnet with T.sub.c=282 K. A systematic investigation of solid solutions AlFe.sub.2.sub._.sub.xMn.sub.x.B.sub.2 showed a non-linear change in the structural and magnetic behavior. The ferromagnetic ordering temperature is gradually decreased as the Mn content (x) increases. The substitution of Mn for Fe offers a convenient method for the adjustment of the ferromagnetic ordering temperature of AlFe.sub.2B.sub.2.

A double-layer sliding bearing comprises an inner layer and an outer layer. An inner periphery of the outer layer is integrated with an outer periphery of the inner layer through moulds for molding processes. A circular bearing surface is formed on either an inner periphery of the inner layer or an outer periphery of the outer layer. A layer having the bearing surface is arranged by a porous thin-wall layer with high forming density. The other layer not having the bearing surface is arranged by a porous thick-wall layer with low forming density.

An abradable powder composition is includes a metal component, a lubricant component, and a polymer component. A portion of the metal component is wrapped in the lubricant component to achieve high lubricity and abradability. The abradable powder composition can be used to form an abradable seal coating provided for use in a turbo machinery having a housing and a wheel having multiple blades. The housing houses the wheel which rotates therein. The seal coating is formed on the inner walls of housing adjacent where the wheel blades pass during their rotation. When the wheel is rotated such that, the blades contact the seal coating, it is abraded to form a close fit gap. The abradable seal coating preferably does not produce significant wear of the blade tips or transfer abradable material significantly to the blade tips upon being abraded.

A copper alloy has a composition including: 70 mass ppm or more and 400 mass ppm or less of Mg; 5 mass ppm or more and 20 mass ppm or less of Ag; less than 3.0 mass ppm of P; and a Cu balance containing inevitable impurities. In the copper alloy, the electrical conductivity is 90% IACS or more, and the average value of KAM values is 3.0 or less.

A method for manufacturing a Cu—Ni—Al-based sintered alloy according to the present invention includes: adding pure Al powder to alloy powder containing Cu, Ni, and Al and mixing them to produce raw material powder with a composition ratio of Ni: 1% to 15% by mass, Al: 1.9% to 12% by mass, and a Cu balance containing inevitable impurities; compacting the raw material powder to form a green compact; and sintering the green compact in a mixture gas atmosphere of hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas that contains 3% by volume or more of hydrogen gas.

A sputtering target containing molybdenum and at least one metal from the group tantalum and niobium. The average content of tantalum and/or niobium is from 5 to 15 at % and the molybdenum content is greater than or equal to 80 at %. The sputtering target has at least a matrix with an average molybdenum content of greater than or equal to 92 at % and particles which are composed of a solid solution containing at least one metal from the group of tantalum and niobium, and molybdenum, with an average molybdenum content of greater than or equal to 15 at % and are embedded in the matrix. There is also described a method of producing a sputtering target.

Titanium-containing alloys are generally described. The titanium-containing alloys are, according to certain embodiments, nanocrystalline. According to certain embodiments, the titanium-containing alloys have high relative densities. The titanium-containing alloys can be relatively stable, according to certain embodiments. Inventive methods for making titanium-containing alloys are also described herein. The inventive methods for making titanium-containing alloys can involve, according to certain embodiments, sintering nanocrystalline particulates comprising titanium and at least one other metal to form a titanium-containing nanocrystalline alloy.

A cemented carbide having an eta phase and a Ni—Al binder is provided. The binder includes intermetallic γ′-Ni.sub.3Al-precipitates embedded in a substitutional solid solution matrix including Al and Ni. Further, the cemented carbide has a surface zone free from eta phase. A method of making a cutting tool is also provided.