C21D-UnitedStatesPatentandTrademarkOffice.pdfVIP

C21D MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE BY DECARBURISATION, TEMPERING OR OTHER TREATMENTS (cementation by diffusion processes C23C; surface treatment of metallic material involving at least one process provided for in class C23 and at least one process covered by this subclass, C23F17/00 ; unidirectional solidification of eutectic materials or unidirectional demixing of eutectoid materials C30B) Definition statement This subclass/group covers: Changing the physical structure of ferrous metals; General devices for heat treatments of ferrous or non-ferrous metals or alloys; making metal malleable by decarburisation, tempering or other treatments The term ferrous alloys refers to alloys based essentially on iron. Relationship between large subject matter areas • 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 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, this one is classified as well C22C. References relevant to classification in this subclass This subclass/group does not cover: Mechanical metal-working B21B, B21C, B21J Working metallic powder, powder B22F, C22C 1/04 metallurgical apparatus or processes 1 Changing the p