An oxygen solid solution titanium sintered compact includes a matrix made of a titanium component having an -phase, oxygen atoms dissolved as a solute of solid solution in a crystal lattice of the titanium component, and metal atoms dissolved as a solute of solid solution in the crystal lattice of the titanium component.

The valve seat includes an iron-based sintered alloy subjected to oxidation treatment, which is obtained by subjecting an iron-based sintered alloy including: 4 mass % to 15 mass % of Co particles; and hard particles each containing at least one compound of an intermetallic compound, a carbide, a silicide, a nitride, or a boride that has one or more kinds of elements selected from group 4a to 6a elements in a periodic table, and having a hardness of from 600 HV to 1,600 HV to oxidation treatment, and which has an oxide mainly including triiron tetraoxide (Fe.sub.3O.sub.4) and cobalt oxide (CoO) formed on a surface and in an interior of the iron-based sintered alloy. The iron-based sintered alloy subjected to oxidation treatment has an area ratio of the oxide of from 5% to 25% in a cross section thereof in a state prior to installation on the cylinder head.

Nanostructured metalceramic composites with powdery consistency are disclosed, comprising nanoparticles of ferromagnetic metals (Fe, Ni, Co) dispersed in a ceramic matrix mainly based on amorphous silica and alumina as well as relevant processes for producing these materials are disclosed.

A sliding part with a wear resistant coating includes a sliding part, and a wear resistant coating provided on a sliding surface of the sliding part, and made of a cobalt alloy containing chromium and silicon. In the wear resistant coating, oxide particles are dispersed which include an oxide containing chromium and silicon, and have a particle size of 100 m or less when a cross section of the wear resistant coating is observed using an optical microscope with a magnification of 100 times.

One aspect generally relates to a composite, having a layer sequence. The layer sequence includes as layers a first layer, including a first ceramic, and first layer surface, a second layer, including a second ceramic, superimposing the first layer surface. The layer sequence includes a hole, connecting through each layer of the layer sequence; and a cermet. The cermet includes a first part and a second part. The first part is included by the hole. The second part is included between the first layer and the second layer. The cermet is in one piece.

In an example, a method to form a low work function insert includes preparing a mixture that includes a first powder that contains barium, a second powder that contains calcium, a third powder that contains at least one of aluminum, samarium, or magnesium, and a fourth powder that contains a refractory metal. The method may also include heating the mixture, contained in a crucible, in a furnace. Oxygen concentration in the furnace may be maintained at a low partial pressure during heating of the mixture in the furnace. The low work function of the insert allows electrons to be readily extracted from its surface.

A surface-treated ceramic powder includes a plurality of ceramic particles and a surface-treating material. Each of the ceramic particles is at least partially coated by the surface-treating material, wherein the ceramic particles have an average particle diameter ranging from 10 micrometer (m) to 100 m, and the surface-treating material is made of metal, metal oxide or the combination thereof.

A process for producing a cadmium free electrical contact material having at least one metal and magnesium stannate Mg.sub.2SnO.sub.4. The process includes mixing pulverulent magnesium stannate Mg.sub.2SnO.sub.4 or a mamesium stannate precursor compound with at least one metal powder and optionally further oxides, pressing the mixture in order to obtain a compact and sintering the compact to obtain a sintered body.

A cermet material includes as mass percentages, at least: 50% to 90% of a metallic phase containing an alloy of copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni), and 10% to 50% of an oxide phase containing at least iron, nickel and oxygen with the following proportion by mass of Ni: 0.2%Ni17%.

An electrode, preferably an anode, may include this cermet material.

One aspect generally relates to a composite, having a layer sequence. The layer sequence includes as layers a first layer, including a first ceramic, and first layer surface, a second layer, including a second ceramic, superimposing the first layer surface. The layer sequence includes a hole, connecting through each layer of the layer sequence; and a cermet. The cermet includes a first part and a second part. The first part is included by the hole. The second part is included between the first layer and the second layer. The cermet is in one piece.