RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT— New Product Applications

F.W. Gartner Receives US Patent for Nanostructured Titania Coated Titanium Application
F. W. Gartner, in conjunction with one of its major clients, received a recent US patent on a new, Nanostructured Titania Coated Titanium application for use in a high performance, severe service, hydrometallurgical process. Patent #US 6,835,449 B2 was officially
registered on December 28, 2004.

The following abstract is taken directly from the United States Patent Offices' publication of the above date:

(57) ABSTRACT
"A ball valve for use in the pressure acid leaching of nickel ore is
disclosed. The valve has a valve body and a ball centrally positioned in
the valve body, which has a central passage rotatable in the valve body
between open and closed positions. At least one seat is disposed
between the ball and the valve body. The ball and seat each comprise a
titanium substrate and an ultra fine or nanostructured titania coating.
The titania can include from 5 to 45 volume percent of a second phase
material that is immiscible with the titania and exhibits corrosion
resistance."

F. W. Gartner continues to expand their capabilities with in depth research that exhibits practical benefits to both FWG and its clientele. Additional material applications are currently under research design in various industries.