The study surveys the present state of knowledge on the design of die sequences in closed-die forging with a view toward studying the feasibility of establishing an analytical procedure. The contents are comprised of (1) a review of present methods practiced in die-sequency design, (2) a review of factors involved in metal flow, and (3) examples of analytical work that might constitute the background for a more rational study of the closed-die-forging process. (Author).

Numerous industrial users were asked for their appraisal of vacuum-degassed steel. Their responses regarding the merits of this vacuum treatment were varied. The producers and users of large forgings reported fewer internal defects, improved toughness, and decreased processing time through shorter hydrogen relief treatments. Improved fatigue life in applications such as bearings was attributed to fewer and smaller nonmetallic inclusions in vacuum-degassed steel. The users of medium and small forgings reported only marginal improvement in properties and little or no change in rejection rates by nondestructive testing. Unfortunately, many of the users could not give a meaningful evaluation because they knew that frequently their suppliers filled orders with vacuum-degassed steels even though such treatment was not specified. Consequently, these users are unable to separate the air melted and the vacuum-degassed steels in their stock for comparison. A more comprehensive study of fully identified steels, steelmaking practice, degassing methods, material properties, and performance in service will be required before a satisfactory evaluation of the merits of vacuum-degassed steels can be made. (Author).

This memorandum summarizes information on refractory materials and composites that was presented at the Twelfth Meeting of the Refractory Composites Working Group in Denver, Colorado, on October 17-19, 1966. The memorandum is based on 38 papers that were presented at the meeting. They are reviewed and discussed briefly within the framework of the following four broad areas: materials technology, process technology, specific hardware applications and tests, and evaluation techniques. Included in the section on materials technology are discussions dealing with bulk refractory materials, coated systems, and fiber-reinforced composites. The section on process technology discusses cladding and general fabrication processes. The specific hardware applications and tests cover rocket-motor components, and jet-engine components. The section on evaluation techniques cover thermal, rain erosion, and wear testing. (Author).

The handbook provides design engineers with up-to-date information about the many aspects of forging including descriptions of important developments made more recently by industry and/or government. The handbook describes suitable measures for in-process quality control and quality assurance, summarizes relationships between forging practices and important mechanical properties and compares various forging devices to aid in equipment selection. Attention is also given to describing practices for relatively new materials and emerging forging practices. (Modified author abstract).