Appeal No. 1997-0538
Application No. 08/262,168
Appellants argue that Kim does not teach the claimed step
of “determining the alpha-transus temperature of the gamma
titanium aluminide alloy piece”. See, e.g., Brief, page 14,
and Reply Brief, pages 5 and 6. We disagree. We find that
Kim clearly states (column 3, lines 38-42) that:
The alpha-transus temperature (T ) ranges from
"
about 1340° to about 1400° C., depending on the
alloy composition. T can be determined with
"
sufficient accuracy by differential thermal analysis
(DTA) and metallographic examinations.
We also find that to employ temperature conditions at or below
the alpha-transus temperature of a titanium aluminide alloy as
required by Kim, such alpha-transus temperature must
necessarily be determined beforehand.
Appellants argue that Kim does not teach consolidation of
the titanium aluminide alloy to reduce porosity. See,
e.g., Brief, page 14. As indicated supra, however, Kim
discloses shaping the titanium aluminide alloy at the claimed
consolidation temperature. We find that the shaping of the
titanium aluminide alloy at the claimed temperature clearly
causes the formation of a compact mass, reducing its original
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