Manhattan Scientifics, Inc. (MHTX)

[The Rainmaker]

MHTX Metallicum Patents:

Terry Lowe - US patents:

United States Patent 6,399,215
Zhu , et al. June 4, 2002

Ultrafine-grained titanium for medical implants

Abstract

We disclose ultrafine-grained titanium. A coarse-grained titanium billet is subjected to multiple extrusions through a preheated equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) die, with billet rotation between subsequent extrusions. The resulting billet is cold processed by cold rolling and/or cold extrusion, with optional annealing. The resulting ultrafine-grained titanium has greatly improved mechanical properties and is used to make medical implants.

Inventors: Zhu; Yuntian T. (Los Alamos, NM), Lowe; Terry C. (Santa Fe, NM), Valiev; Ruslan Z. (Ufa, RU), Stolyarov; Vladimir V. (Ufa, RU), Latysh; Vladimir V. (Ufa, RU), Raab; Georgy J. (Ufa, RU)

Assignee: The Regents of the University of California (Los Alamos, NM)

Appl. No.: 09/536,592
Filed: March 28, 2000

What is claimed is:

1. A medical implant comprising ultrafine-grained titanium made by the process comprising the steps of:

(a) placing a coarse-grained titanium billet into a lubricated first channel of a preheated equal channel angular extrusion die and extruding the billet through a second channel of the die that intersects with the first channel;

(b) rotating the extruded billet a chosen amount around its longitudinal axis and extruding the rotated billet again;

(c) repeating step (b) a chosen number of times;

(d) subjecting the product of step (c) to cold processing; and

(e) fabricating the medical implant from the product of step (d).

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6,399,215.PN.&OS=PN/6,399,215&RS=PN/6,399,215

United States Patent 6,197,129
Zhu , et al. March 6, 2001

Method for producing ultrafine-grained materials using repetitive corrugation and straightening

Abstract

A method of refining the grain structure and improving the hardness and strength properties of a metal or metal alloy workpiece is disclosed. The workpiece is subjected to forces that corrugate and then straighten the workpiece. These steps are repeated until an ultrafine-grained product having improved hardness and strength is produced.

Inventors: Zhu; Yuntian T. (Los Alamos, NM), Lowe; Terry C. (Santa Fe, NM), Jiang; Honggang (Los Alamos, NM), Huang; Jianyu (Los Alamos, NM)

Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy (Washington, DC)

Appl. No.: 09/564,696
Filed: May 4, 2000

What is claimed is:

1. A method for producing an ultrafine-grained product, comprising the steps of:

(a) bending a metal or alloy workpiece having opposing, substantially flat surfaces into a corrugated shape;

(b) applying forces to the corrugated workpiece sufficient to substantially restore the flat surfaces and produce a finer-grained workpiece; and

(c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until the workpiece is transformed into an ultrafine-grained product having a refined grain size and improved strength.

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6,197,129.PN.&OS=PN/6,197,129&RS=PN/6,197,129

United States Patent 7,152,448
Zhu , et al. December 26, 2006

Continuous equal channel angular pressing

Abstract

An apparatus that continuously processes a metal workpiece without substantially altering its cross section includes a wheel member having an endless circumferential groove, and a stationary constraint die that surrounds the wheel member, covers most of the length of the groove, and forms a passageway with the groove. The passageway has a rectangular shaped cross section. An abutment member projects from the die into the groove and blocks one end of the passageway. The wheel member rotates relative to the die in the direction toward the abutment member. An output channel in the die adjacent the abutment member has substantially the same cross section as the passageway. A metal workpiece is fed through an input channel into the passageway and carried in the groove by frictional drag in the direction towards the abutment member, and is extruded through the output channel without any substantial change in cross section.

Inventors: Zhu; Yuntian T. (Los Alamos, NM), Lowe; Terry C. (Santa Fe, NM), Valiev; Ruslan Z. (Ufa, RU), Raab; Georgy J. (Ufa, RU)

Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC (Los Alamos, NM)
Appl. No.: 11/014,072
Filed: December 16, 2004

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plastic deformation by rolling, extrusion and drawing often increases the strength of metal alloys, but decreases their ductility [1]. By contrast, processing metals and alloys by severe plastic deformation (SFD) can increase their strength while maintaining good ductility by forming ultrafine grains (UFGs), and subgrains, from smaller than 100 nanometers (nm) to about 1000 nanometers [2]. The combination of high strength and good ductility makes SPD-produced ultrafine-grained (UFG) materials very attractive for medical implants [3], aerospace structures, sporting goods, automobile parts and other devices.

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7,152,448.PN.&OS=PN/7,152,448&RS=PN/7,152,448

Ref:
http://tinyurl.com/5f7maf