Compositions suitable for use in an electrolytic cell for producing aluminum are provided. The compositions can contain a powder blend of boron oxide, a titanium dioxide, aluminum, and titanium diboride. The powder blend can be compacted into tiles and arranged as a cathode surface. The boron oxide and the titanium dioxide in the tiles can be made to react under low temperature molten aluminum to produce titanium diboride in situ. The reaction yields a dense dimensionally stable wettable cathode substrate that can reduce the power consumption in the aluminum electrowinning process.

The invention relates to a highly heat conductive valve seat ring (1) comprising a carrier layer (2) and a functional layer (3), wherein the carrier layer (2) consists of a solidified copper matrix containing 0.10 to 20% w/w of a solidifying component and the functional layer (3) consists of a solidified copper matrix which further contains, based on the copper matrix, 5 to 35% w/w of one or more hard phases.

The invention relates to a highly heat conductive valve seat ring (1) comprising a carrier layer (2) and a functional layer (3), wherein the carrier layer (2) consists of a solidified copper matrix containing 0.10 to 20% w/w of a solidifying component and the functional layer (3) consists of a solidified copper matrix which further contains, based on the copper matrix, 5 to 35% w/w of one or more hard phases.

The present invention provides a method for preparing an in-situ ternary nanoparticle-reinforced aluminum matrix composite (AMC). In this method, an in-situ reaction generation technique is used, and with a powder containing formation elements for producing reinforcing particles as a reactant, in conjunction with a low-frequency rotating magnetic field/ultrasonic field regulation technique, an aluminum-based composite material is prepared using nanoparticle intermediate alloy re-melting. An AA6016-based composite material reinforced by ternary nanoparticles has an average particle size of 65 nm, and has an obvious refinement phenomenon compared with unitary and dual-phase nanoparticles.

Disclosed herein, in certain embodiments, are composite materials, methods, tools and abrasive materials comprising a tungsten-based metal composition, a tungsten carbide, and an alloy. In some cases, the composite materials or matrix are resistant to oxidation.

A reinforced alloy comprising reinforcement particles (fine and/or coarse) for a bracket that provides enhanced theft deterrence and lightweight. The bracket may be used for a lock for a personal transportation vehicle.

The present invention provides a method for preparing an in-situ ternary nanoparticle-reinforced aluminum matrix composite (AMC). In this method, an in-situ reaction generation technique is used, and with a powder containing formation elements for producing reinforcing particles as a reactant, in conjunction with a low-frequency rotating magnetic field/ultrasonic field regulation technique, an aluminum-based composite material is prepared using nanoparticle intermediate alloy re-melting. An AA6016-based composite material reinforced by ternary nanoparticles has an average particle size of 65 nm, and has an obvious refinement phenomenon compared with unitary and dual-phase nanoparticles.

The present invention provides a powder for forming a black light-shielding film having a specific surface area of 20 to 90 m.sup.2/g, which is measured by the BET method, comprising zirconium nitride as a main component, and containing magnesium and/or aluminum. If containing the magnesium, the content of the magnesium is 0.01 to 1.0% by mass relative to 100% by mass of the powder for forming a black light-shielding film, and if containing the aluminum, the content of the aluminum is 0.01 to 1.0% by mass relative to 100% by mass of the powder for forming the black light-shielding film.

A method for manufacturing an alloy formed from a boride of a precious metal, may involve reacting a source of the precious metal with a source of boron in a salt or a mixture of salts in the molten state. An alloy formed from a boride of a precious metal may include crystalline nanoparticles of M.sub.xB.sub.y with M being a precious metal, distributed in an amorphous matrix of B or in an amorphous matrix of B and of M.sub.zB.sub.a.

Ceramic-metallic composites are disclosed along with the processes for their manufacture. The present invention improves high temperature strength of Al.sub.2O.sub.3—Al composites by displacing aluminum in the finished product with other substances that enhance the high temperature strength. Each process commences with a preform initially composed of at least 5% by weight silicon dioxide, and the finished product includes Al.sub.2O.sub.3, aluminum and another substance.