Ex parte KELLY et al. - Page 13




          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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