Provided herein are improved Pt-based electrochemical catalyst (or electrocatalyst) for ORR, exhibiting a combination of high activity and high stability, along with reduced usage of scarce Pt. The Pt-based electrocatalyst is loaded on a catalyst support, which is developed through carbon engineering to impart improved performance to the Pt-based electrocatalyst.

Provided herein are improved Pt-based electrochemical catalyst (or electrocatalyst) for ORR, exhibiting a combination of high activity and high stability, along with reduced usage of scarce Pt. The Pt-based electrocatalyst is loaded on a catalyst support, which is developed through carbon engineering to impart improved performance to the Pt-based electrocatalyst.

An aluminum-iron alloy for casting includes aluminum, iron, silicon, and niobium present in the aluminum-iron alloy in an amount according to formula (I): (Al.sub.3Fe.sub.2Si).sub.1-x+x Nb, wherein x is from 0.25 parts by weight to 2.5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the aluminum-iron alloy. A method of forming a component including forming the aluminum-iron alloy is also described.

An aluminum-iron alloy for casting includes aluminum, iron, silicon, and niobium present in the aluminum-iron alloy in an amount according to formula (I): (Al.sub.3Fe.sub.2Si).sub.1-x+x Nb, wherein x is from 0.25 parts by weight to 2.5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the aluminum-iron alloy. A method of forming a component including forming the aluminum-iron alloy is also described.

A method of refining a microstructure of a titanium material can include providing a solid titanium material at a temperature below about 400° C. The titanium material can be heated under a hydrogen-containing atmosphere to a hydrogen charging temperature that is above a β transus temperature of the titanium material and below a melting temperature of the titanium material, and held at this temperature for a time sufficient to convert the titanium material to a substantially homogeneous β phase. The titanium material can be cooled under the hydrogen-containing atmosphere to a phase transformation temperature below the β transus temperature and above about 400° C., and held for a time to produce α phase regions. The titanium material can also be held under a substantially hydrogen-free atmosphere or vacuum at a dehydrogenation temperature below the β transus temperature and above the δ phase decomposition temperature to remove hydrogen from the titanium material.

A method of refining a microstructure of a titanium material can include providing a solid titanium material at a temperature below about 400° C. The titanium material can be heated under a hydrogen-containing atmosphere to a hydrogen charging temperature that is above a β transus temperature of the titanium material and below a melting temperature of the titanium material, and held at this temperature for a time sufficient to convert the titanium material to a substantially homogeneous β phase. The titanium material can be cooled under the hydrogen-containing atmosphere to a phase transformation temperature below the β transus temperature and above about 400° C., and held for a time to produce α phase regions. The titanium material can also be held under a substantially hydrogen-free atmosphere or vacuum at a dehydrogenation temperature below the β transus temperature and above the δ phase decomposition temperature to remove hydrogen from the titanium material.

A heat treatment method for improving the mechanical property and the biofunctional stability of a magnesium alloy is provided, comprising: (1) fully annealing an original cold-drawn magnesium alloy AZ31; (2) polishing a surface of the magnesium alloy AZ31 from the step (1) by a waterproof abrasive paper; (3) heating the magnesium alloy AZ31 obtained from the step (2) to a temperature of 330° C. to 350° C. and keeping the temperature for 3 to 4 hours; and (4) cooling the magnesium alloy AZ31 obtained from the step (3) to room temperature. A method for manufacturing a small-peptide-coated biomaterial and an application of the small-peptide-coated biomaterial are further provided.

A heat treatment method for improving the mechanical property and the biofunctional stability of a magnesium alloy is provided, comprising: (1) fully annealing an original cold-drawn magnesium alloy AZ31; (2) polishing a surface of the magnesium alloy AZ31 from the step (1) by a waterproof abrasive paper; (3) heating the magnesium alloy AZ31 obtained from the step (2) to a temperature of 330° C. to 350° C. and keeping the temperature for 3 to 4 hours; and (4) cooling the magnesium alloy AZ31 obtained from the step (3) to room temperature. A method for manufacturing a small-peptide-coated biomaterial and an application of the small-peptide-coated biomaterial are further provided.

Proposed is a contact material constituting a slider for a fuel sender, the slider moving on a conductor in conjunction with a float moving in accordance with a liquid level, wherein the contact material includes 10 to 25 mass % of nickel and a balance of palladium. The present contact material is useful in the light of material cost in addition to corrosion resistance and durability. The fuel sender is useful for vehicles, such as FFV, using composite fuel of alcohol and the like. The present invention allows for producing a slider for a fuel sender having excellent corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance.

Producing a Ni superalloy component in which the superalloy has a γ phase matrix containing intermetallic γ′ precipitates. Providing a Ni superalloy casting of the component; solutioning the component by heat treating the casting under vacuum and/or in an inert atmosphere at a temperature above the γ′ solvus to homogenize the γ phase; quenching and ageing the solutioned component to grow intermetallic γ′ precipitates in the homogenized γ phase. Before the solutioning step: heat treating the casting to produce a thermally grown oxide on the surface, oxide adherent to supress volatilization of Ni from the surface of the casting during the solutioning heat treatment. Performing the solutioning step under a Ni vapor pressure which is sufficient to supress volatilization of Ni from the surface of the casting during the solutioning heat treatment. During the solutioning heat treatment the component is encapsulated in a container protecting the casting from Si-doped contaminants.