A negative electrode active material includes a silicon-based alloy represented by Si-M.sub.1-M.sub.2-C—B, wherein M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 are different from each other and are each independently selected from magnesium, aluminum, titanium, vanadium, chromium, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, gallium, germanium, manganese, yttrium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, silver, tin, tantalum, and tungsten. In the silicon-based alloy, Si is in a range of about 50 at % to about 90 at %, M.sub.1 is in a range of about 10 at % to about 50 atom %, and M.sub.2 is in a range of 0 at % to about 10 at %, based on a total number of Si, M.sub.1, and M.sub.2 atoms. C is in a range of about 0.01 to about 30 parts by weight, and B is in a range of 0 to about 5 parts by weight, based on a total of 100 parts by weight of Si, M.sub.1, and M.sub.2.

A negative electrode active material includes a silicon-based alloy represented by Si-M.sub.1-M.sub.2-C—B, wherein M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 are different from each other and are each independently selected from magnesium, aluminum, titanium, vanadium, chromium, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, gallium, germanium, manganese, yttrium, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, silver, tin, tantalum, and tungsten. In the silicon-based alloy, Si is in a range of about 50 at % to about 90 at %, M.sub.1 is in a range of about 10 at % to about 50 atom %, and M.sub.2 is in a range of 0 at % to about 10 at %, based on a total number of Si, M.sub.1, and M.sub.2 atoms. C is in a range of about 0.01 to about 30 parts by weight, and B is in a range of 0 to about 5 parts by weight, based on a total of 100 parts by weight of Si, M.sub.1, and M.sub.2.

The present invention relates to alloys used to prepare a low strain steel pipes for use in chemical engineering applications. In particular, the invention relates to low carbon high strength steel alloys and pipes made from such alloys which have low strain but high ductility at elevated temperatures. Such pipes are typically used in chemical plants for transporting reactants and products, as the inlet manifolds in plants for producing hydrogen and methanol. They may be used in plant such as steam reformer furnaces which include inlet manifolds that need to possess good creep resistance (low strain) as well as having good thermo-mechanical fatigue resistance (high ductility).

The present invention relates to alloys used to prepare a low strain steel pipes for use in chemical engineering applications. In particular, the invention relates to low carbon high strength steel alloys and pipes made from such alloys which have low strain but high ductility at elevated temperatures. Such pipes are typically used in chemical plants for transporting reactants and products, as the inlet manifolds in plants for producing hydrogen and methanol. They may be used in plant such as steam reformer furnaces which include inlet manifolds that need to possess good creep resistance (low strain) as well as having good thermo-mechanical fatigue resistance (high ductility).

The present invention provides a cast product that can further enhance the stability of an alumina barrier layer and can exhibit further superior oxidation resistance, carburization resistance, nitriding resistance, corrosion resistance, and the like when used under a high-temperature atmosphere. The cast product according to the present invention is a cast product having an alumina barrier layer including an aluminum oxide on a surface of a matrix, and the aluminum oxide is (Al.sub.(1-x)M.sub.(x)).sub.2O.sub.3, where M is at least one of Cr, Ni, Si, and Fe, and x satisfies a relationship 0<x<0.5. Furthermore, the cast product according to the present invention is a cast product having an alumina barrier layer including an aluminum oxide on a surface of a matrix, and at least one of Cr, Ni, Si, and Fe forms a solid solution in the aluminum oxide, and at least one of Cr, Ni, Si, and Fe forming the solid solution with Al is contained so as to satisfy a relationship Al/(Cr+Ni+Si+Fe)≧2.0 in an atomic % ratio.

Sensitive hollow blocks or tubes are elongated in a hot-forming elongator while maintaining, if possible, the internal structure that is present or that forms immediately after casting, and thereby, in the case of suitable method management, even thin-walled tubes or tubes rolled from centrifugally cast hollow blocks can be made available to a sufficiently operationally reliable extent. As a result, for the first time, it is possible for rolled centrifugally cast composite material tubes to be made available and for composite material hollow. blocks produced using centrifugal casting to be utilized for the production of a seamless tube.

Sensitive hollow blocks or tubes are elongated in a hot-forming elongator while maintaining, if possible, the internal structure that is present or that forms immediately after casting, and thereby, in the case of suitable method management, even thin-walled tubes or tubes rolled from centrifugally cast hollow blocks can be made available to a sufficiently operationally reliable extent. As a result, for the first time, it is possible for rolled centrifugally cast composite material tubes to be made available and for composite material hollow. blocks produced using centrifugal casting to be utilized for the production of a seamless tube.

A molding machine for molding material is provided. The machine includes a cavity to be filled with molten metal and a conduit system leading to the cavity, thus forming a system of interconnected hollow spaces. At least one pressure member is moveable in at least part of the conduit system. A centrifugal pump in fluid communication with a reservoir of molten metal is provided, the pump providing molten metal to the hollow space receiving the at least one pressure member.

A molding machine for molding material is provided. The machine includes a cavity to be filled with molten metal and a conduit system leading to the cavity, thus forming a system of interconnected hollow spaces. At least one pressure member is moveable in at least part of the conduit system. A centrifugal pump in fluid communication with a reservoir of molten metal is provided, the pump providing molten metal to the hollow space receiving the at least one pressure member.

The present invention provides an outer layer material for a composite roll for rolling, in which the strength of secondary eutectic carbides can be increased by reducing a B amount in the secondary eutectic carbides and surface roughening resistance can be improved, and a composite roll for rolling in which this outer layer material is used in an outer layer. The outer layer material for a composite roll for rolling of the present invention is an outer layer material for a composite roll for rolling containing C in an amount of 1.8 mass % or more and 2.5 mass % or less, Si in an amount of more than 0 mass % and 1.0 mass % or less, Mn in an amount of more than 0 mass % and 1.0 mass % or less, Ni in an amount of more than 0 mass % and 0.5 mass % or less, Cr in an amount of more than 3.0 mass % and 8.0 mass % or less, Mo in an amount of more than 2.0 mass % and 10.0 mass % or less, W in an amount of more than 0 mass % and 10.0 mass % or less, V in an amount of more than 0 mass % and 10.0 mass % or less, and B in an amount of more than 0 mass % and less than 0.01 mass %, and a remaining portion including Fe and inevitable impurities.