Electrode Inert Gas Atomization (EIGA) Services

Electrode Inert Gas Atomization (EIGA) Services To enable future research on high temperature refractory alloy systems, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Managed by UT Battelle LLC), capable parties for the services of Electrode Inert Gas Atomization (EIGA) of up to 4 niobium alloy compositions. Services for the following:

• Atomization of up to 4 niobium alloy compositions using Electrode Inert Gas Atomization (EIGA) will be required. • Atomization of each alloy will be performed in a phased approach. ? For phase A of each atomization campaign, a limited number of electrodes of each composition will be supplied for use in setting atomization process conditions as agreed by Company (UT Battelle, LLC) and seller. ? Samples of atomized powder product from phase A will be collected and supplied to the Company by the seller. ?

Upon positive confirmation of the quality of the atomized powder product, the seller may proceed to phase B of the atomization of the remainder of the electrodes supplied by the Company. ?

Quality Requirements • Spherical powder, minimal satellite particles • At least 20% yield in the 15 um to 53 um range • No more than 10% yield in the below 10 um range • No major volatilization or loss of alloying elements • Company shall supply electrodes of each alloy for atomization using EIGA process. • Company and seller shall agree material compositions and quantities. • Company and seller shall agree feed electrode dimensions and characteristics for successful process operation. • Atomization shall be performed in batches as agreed by Company and seller. • Seller shall allow Company’s representatives to observe atomization processing as requested. • Samples of atomized product powder from each batch or developmental trial shall be collected and supplied to Company. • If more than one container is used to collect powder product during batch processing, separate samples shall be collected from each container and supplied to Company. • During phase B of each atomization campaign, the powder product shall be sieved and delivered to Company in 4 size ranges as follows:

<15 um 15 um to 53 um 53 um to 149 um >149 um • Yields in each of the powder size distribution ranges should be: <15 um: maximum of 15% 15 um to 53 um: minimum of 20% 53 um to 149 um: minimum of 20% >149 um: maximum of 25% • Seller shall return all powder, unused electrodes, and electrode stubs to Company in Department of Transportation (DOT) approved packaging, separated and marked with alloy designations. • Seller shall deliver the following data to Company for each atomization run including runs to develop or refine process operating conditions: ?

Electrode feed rates. ? Induction power. ? Atomization gas temperature. ? Atomization gas consumption rate and overall per run gas usage. ? Melt chamber pressure. ? Atomization tower pressure. ? Specifications of induction coil used. • Seller may retain and use data and know-how gained during atomization trials but may not assert ownership of data.

The quote should follow the following format: • Atomization 1 o Phase 1A: Price o Phase 1B: Price • Atomization 2 o Phase 2A: Price o Phase 2B: Price • Atomization 3 o Phase 3A: Price o Phase 3B: Price • Atomization 4 o Phase 4A: Price o Phase 4B: Price