Patent ID: 7297418
Filing Date: 2007-11-20
Classification: C04B,C21D,C23C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A thermally treated carbide material made by the process of the steps comprising: a. placing a carbide having a material temperature within a thermal control apparatus comprising a chamber comprising a chamber temperature; b. introducing a first cryogenic material into the thermal control apparatus decreasing the material temperature while preventing over-stressing of the carbide, to a first target temperature ranging from −120 degrees F. and −380 degrees F. at a first temperature rate ranging from 0.25 degrees F. per minute and 20 degrees F. per minute; c. stopping the introduction of the cryogenic material into the chamber once the first target temperature is reached for at least two hours; d. increasing the chamber temperature to a second target temperature from 0 degrees F. and 1400 degrees F.; e. increasing the material temperature to the second target temperature at a second temperature rate ranging from 0.25 degrees F. per minute and 20 degrees F. per minute resulting in an intermediate carbide material having an intermediate material temperature and holding that second target temperature for at least fifteen minutes; f. introducing a second cryogenic material into the thermal control apparatus decreasing the intermediate material temperature while preventing over-stressing of the intermediate carbide material, to a third target temperature ranging from −120 degrees F. and −380 degrees F. at a third temperature rate ranging from 0.25 degrees F. per minute and 20 degrees F. per minute; g. stopping the introduction of the second cryogenic material into the chamber once the third target temperature is reached for at least two hours; h. increasing the chamber temperature to a fourth target temperature from 0 degrees F. and 1400 degrees F.; i. increasing the intermediate material temperature to the fourth target temperature at a fourth temperature rate ranging from 0.25 degrees F. per minute and 20 degrees F. per minute and holding that second target temperature for at least fifteen minutes; and j. repeating the steps of decreasing the material temperature, stopping and holding the introduction of the cryogenic material, and increasing the chamber temperature at least two times consecutively resulting in treated carbide without fractures.