The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatuses adapted to perform additive manufacturing (AM) processes and the resulting products made therefrom, and specifically, to AM processes that employ an energy beam to selectively fuse a base material to produce an object. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and systems that use reactive fluids to actively manipulate the surface chemistry of the base material prior to, during and/or after the AM process.

Composite structures having a reinforced material interjoined with a substrate, wherein the reinforced material comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of titanium monoboride, titanium diboride, and combinations thereof.

Composite structures having a reinforced material interjoined with a substrate, wherein the reinforced material comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of titanium monoboride, titanium diboride, and combinations thereof.

The disclosure relates to a method for producing a diffusion blocking layer including aluminum oxide on a metal plate, which consists of a base material containing at least iron (Fe) and chromium (Cr). The aluminum used for forming the aluminum oxide is contained in the base material. A layer made of titanium dioxide serves as an oxygen contributor for the oxidation of the aluminum to a-aluminum oxide. The disclosure further relates to an integration of the method into the production of an exhaust gas treatment unit, where the exhaust gas treatment unit has a honeycomb body and a housing wither of which is formed with a metal plate having a base material that contains at least iron (Fe) and chromium (Cr). According to the disclosure, the metal plate includes a surface layer at least in one sub-region including at least aluminum oxide and titanium oxide.

The disclosure relates to a method for producing a diffusion blocking layer including aluminum oxide on a metal plate, which consists of a base material containing at least iron (Fe) and chromium (Cr). The aluminum used for forming the aluminum oxide is contained in the base material. A layer made of titanium dioxide serves as an oxygen contributor for the oxidation of the aluminum to a-aluminum oxide. The disclosure further relates to an integration of the method into the production of an exhaust gas treatment unit, where the exhaust gas treatment unit has a honeycomb body and a housing wither of which is formed with a metal plate having a base material that contains at least iron (Fe) and chromium (Cr). According to the disclosure, the metal plate includes a surface layer at least in one sub-region including at least aluminum oxide and titanium oxide.

The friction stir welding apparatus includes a pin (20) on which a soft nitrided layer (50) is formed. The soft nitrided layer (50) is formed of an iron lithium oxide layer (51) and a nitrided diffusion layer (52). The atom of the iron lithium oxide layer (51) penetrates into a space between atoms at the surface of the pin (20) to form the nitrided diffusion layer (52).

Luminescent materials and methods of forming such materials are described herein. A method of forming a luminescent material includes: (1) providing a source of A and X, wherein A is selected from at least one of elements of Group 1, and X is selected from at least one of elements of Group 17; (2) providing a source of B, wherein B is selected from at least one of elements of Group 14; (3) subjecting the source of A and X and the source of B to vacuum deposition to form a precursor layer over a substrate; (4) forming an encapsulation layer over the precursor layer to form an assembly of layers; and (5) heating the assembly of layers to a temperature T.sub.heat to form a luminescent material within the precursor layer.

Luminescent materials and methods of forming such materials are described herein. A method of forming a luminescent material includes: (1) providing a source of A and X, wherein A is selected from at least one of elements of Group 1, and X is selected from at least one of elements of Group 17; (2) providing a source of B, wherein B is selected from at least one of elements of Group 14; (3) subjecting the source of A and X and the source of B to vacuum deposition to form a precursor layer over a substrate; (4) forming an encapsulation layer over the precursor layer to form an assembly of layers; and (5) heating the assembly of layers to a temperature T.sub.heat to form a luminescent material within the precursor layer.

Problem. To provide a chain pin which makes it possible to improve wear resistance even in an environment in which degraded oil is used. Solution. A large number of pins are mixed/agitated together with a particle mixture including a penetrant comprising chromium (Cr) powder and tungsten carbide (WC) powder, and an iron chloride (FeCl.sub.3) catalyst, and WC particles penetrate the surface of the pins together with chromium carbide (CrC). As a result, a chromium carbide layer in which WC particles are diffused in a CrC layer (CrCWC layer) is formed on the outermost surface part of the steel forming the parent material of the pins.

Problem. To provide a chain pin which makes it possible to improve wear resistance even in an environment in which degraded oil is used. Solution. A large number of pins are mixed/agitated together with a particle mixture including a penetrant comprising chromium (Cr) powder and tungsten carbide (WC) powder, and an iron chloride (FeCl.sub.3) catalyst, and WC particles penetrate the surface of the pins together with chromium carbide (CrC). As a result, a chromium carbide layer in which WC particles are diffused in a CrC layer (CrCWC layer) is formed on the outermost surface part of the steel forming the parent material of the pins.