Changing the physical (metallurgical) structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working;

Changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by special physical methods, e.g. treatment with neutrons.

The term "non-ferrous alloys" refers to alloys based essentially on metals other than iron.

C21D provides for processes of modifying the physical structure of ferrous metals or alloys, general devices for heat treatment of ferrous or non-ferrous metals or alloys, and making ferrous metals or alloys malleable by decarburization, tempering or other metallurgical treatments.

C22F provides for decarburization of non-ferrous metal and non-ferrous alloys to modify the physical structure thereof. Subclass C22B covers the decarburization of metalliferous material for purposes of refining.

C23F 17/00 provides for surface treatment of metallic material involving at least one process provided for in class C23 and at least one process covered in C22F.

When the alloy is produced by a specifically described method (examples, claims), then the method is classified as well in the appropriate subclasses C21D, B22F, C23C, B23K, C25D, C25B, B22D, B21J, B21B, B21C etc.

When the alloy is intended for a particular use/product then the use/product is classified as well.

When the method is intended for providing a particular use/product then the use/ product is classified as well (see informative references for some of them).

When the composition of the alloy is disclosed, either in claims or description, the document is also classified in appropriate groups of subclass C22C.

Processes concerning SMA alloys (shape memory alloys) having the ability when originally shaped at a first temperature and reshaped at a second temperature to undergo a reversible thermoelastic transition and resume its original shape when returned to the first temperature or an intermediate temperature are covered by C22F 1/006 as well as C22F 1/10 and C22F 1/08

The phrase "based on" indicates in general at least 50% by weight of the specified constituent or of the specified group of constituents.

The base of the alloy in a broader sense is interpreted as the metallic element being the largest constituent of the alloy, regardless of whether or not any one element comprises at least 50 wt%. For example in an alloy with Ni-Ti (~55% Ni) , the base of the alloy is Ni and in an alloy with Co 40 wt%, Ni 30 wt% Al 30 wt%, the base of the alloy is Co.

In the case the alloy contains less than 50 wt% of each constituent, then in addition to the C22C corresponding to the major constituent(s), at least one C22C 30/00 group is also given depending on the rest of the main alloying elements.

In the groups C22F 1/04, C22F 1/16-C22F 1/18, C22F 3/00 the last place rule is followed (classification in the last appropriate place) combined with multiple classifications, for a classification of a 100% disclosed alloy composition.

It should be noted that these terms historically have specific definitions to those in the metallurgical arts.

Methods of changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working which are not covered in any of B22F, B21B, B21J, C21D, C25C.

In these groups, the last place rule is followed combined with multiple classifications.

Methods of changing the physical structure of aluminium or aluminium alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working which are not covered in any of B22F, B21B, B21J, C21D, C25C.

The alloy is classified in C22C 21/00-C22C 21/18 in the corresponding sub-group.

In these groups, the last place rule is followed combined with multiple classifications.

Depending on the next major constituent to Al, the corresponding C22F 1/00 class is given. In a case of more than one next major constituent(s), then more than one C22F 1/00 classes are given.

An Al-alloy with Si as the next major constituent comprising in addition Mg as alloying element is classified in C22F 1/043 but also in C22F 1/043 and corresponding C22C 21/00 classes. For example an alloy Al 60%, Si 21%, Mg 19%, will be classified in C22F 1/043 but also in C22F 1/043.

The alloy composition(s) is/are indexed in the Alloys database.

Methods of changing the physical structure of magnesium or magnesium alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working which are not covered in any of B22F, B21B, B21J, C21D, C25C.

The alloy are classified as well in C22C 23/00-C22C 23/06 in the corresponding sub-group.

Methods of changing the physical structure of copper or copper alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working which are not covered in any of B22F, B21B, B21J, C21D, C25C.

The alloy is classified as well in C22C 9/00-C22C 9/10 in the corresponding sub-group.

Methods of changing the physical structure of copper or copper alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working which are not covered in any of B22F, B21B, B21J, C21D, C25C.

The alloy are classified as well in C22C 19/00-C22C 19/07 in the corresponding sub-group.

Methods of changing the physical structure of chromium or chromium alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working which are not covered in any of B22F, B21B, B21J, C21D, C25C.

The alloy needs to be classified as well in C22C 27/06.

Methods of changing the physical structure of lead or lead alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working which are not covered in any of B22F, B21B, B21J, C21D, C25C.

The alloy is classified as well in C22C 11/00 - C22C 11/10.

Methods of changing the physical structure of noble metals or alloys based thereon by heat treatment or by hot or cold working which are not covered in any of B22F, B21B, B21J, C21D, C25C.

The alloy needs to be classified as well in C22C 5/00 - C22C 5/10

In this group, the last place rule is followed combined with multiple classifications. The alloy is classified as well in C22C 5/00 - C22C 5/10.

Methods of changing the physical structure of other metals or alloys based thereon, i.e. with Zn, Cd, Ti, Zr by heat treatment or by hot or cold working which are not covered in any of B22F, B21B, B21J, C21D, C25C.

In this group, the last place rule is followed combined with multiple classifications

Methods of changing the physical structure of zinc or cadmium or alloys based thereon, by heat treatment or by hot or cold working which are not covered in any of B22F, B21B, B21J, C21D, C25C.

.

In this group, the last place rule is followed combined with multiple classifications, respectively with C22C symbols for the alloy composition.

Methods of changing the physical structure of refractory metal based alloys other than Ti-, Zr- based alloys i.e. with Re, V, Cr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W as the major constituent i.e. the base of the alloy, by heat treatment or by hot or cold working which are not covered in any of B22F, B21B, B21J, C21D, C25C.

When the alloy composition is disclosed, then it is classified as well in C22C 27/00- C22C 27/06.

In this groups, the last place rule is followed combined with multiple classifications. Depending on the base of the alloy the appropriate C22F class is given combined with classification of said alloy in C22C.

Methods of changing the physical structure of titanium or alloys based thereon i.e. with Ti as the major constituent i.e. the base of the alloy, by heat treatment or by hot or cold working which are not covered in any of B22F, B21B, B21J, C21D, C25C.

When the alloy composition is disclosed, then it is classified as well in C22C 14/00.

Methods of changing the physical structure of zirconium or alloys based thereon i.e. with Zr as the major constituent i.e. the base of the alloy, by heat treatment or by hot or cold working which are not covered in any of B22F, B21B, B21J, C21D, C25C.

When the alloy composition is disclosed, then it is classified as well in C22C 16/00.

Methods of changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working which are not covered in any of B22F, B21B, B21J, C21D, C25C.

General methods or devices for heat treatments, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching, tempering are classified in C21D 1/00