Abstract: Nitrided valve metals are described, such as nitrided tantalum and nitrided niobium. The nitrided valve metals preferably have improved flow properties, higher Scott Densities, and/or improved pore size distribution which leads to improved physical properties of the valve metal and improved electrical properties once the valve metal is formed into a capacitor anode. Processes for preparing a nitrided valve metal are further described and involve nitriding the valve metal at a sufficient temperature and pressure during a heat treatment that is prior to the deoxidation step. Capacitor anodes and other products incorporating the valve metals of the present invention are further described.

Abstract: Nitrided valve metals are described, such as nitrided tantalum and nitrided niobium. The nitrided valve metals preferably have improved flow properties, higher Scott Densities, and/or improved pore size distribution which leads to improved physical properties of the valve metal and improved electrical properties once the valve metal is formed into a capacitor anode. Processes for preparing a nitrided valve metal are further described and involve nitriding the valve metal at a sufficient temperature and pressure during a heat treatment that is prior to the deoxidation step. Capacitor anodes and other products incorporating the valve metals of the present invention are further described.

Abstract: Nitrided valve metals are described, such as nitrided tantalum and nitrided niobium. The nitrided valve metals preferably have improved flow properties, higher Scott Densities, and/or improved pore size distribution which leads to improved physical properties of the valve metal and improved electrical properties once the valve metal is formed into a capacitor anode. Processes for preparing a nitrided valve metal are further described and involve nitriding the valve metal at a sufficient temperature and pressure during a heat treatment that is prior to the deoxidation step. Capacitor anodes and other products incorporating the valve metals of the present invention are further described.

Abstract: A method to agglomerate metal particles such as tantalum and niobium powders is described which includes combining a volatilizable or vaporizable liquid with the particles to form wet particles; compacting the wet particles; drying the compacted wet particles to form a cake; and heat treating the cake to form the agglomerated particles. Also described are agglomerated particles obtained by this method and further, particles, preferably tantalum or niobium powder, having a flow rate of at least about 65 mg/sec and/or an improved pore size distribution, and/or a higher Scott Density. Capacitors made from tantalum powder and niobium powder are also described.

Abstract: A method to agglomerate metal particles such as tantalum and niobium powders is described which includes combining a volatilizable or vaporizable liquid with the particles to form wet particles; compacting the wet particles; drying the compacted wet particles to form a cake; and heat treating the cake to form the agglomerated particles. Also described are agglomerated particles obtained by this method and further, particles, preferably tantalum or niobium powder, having a flow rate of at least about 65 mg/sec and/or an improved pore size distribution, and/or a higher Scott Density. Capacitors made from tantalum powder and niobium powder are also described.

Abstract: A method to agglomerate metal particles such as tantalum and niobium powders is described which includes combining a volatilizable or vaporizable liquid with the particles to form wet particles; compacting the wet particles; drying the compacted wet particles to form a cake; and heat treating the cake to form the agglomerated particles. Also described are agglomerated particles obtained by this method and further, particles, preferably tantalum or niobium powder, having a flow rate of at least about 65 mg/sec and/or an improved pore size distribution, and/or a higher Scott Density. Capacitors made from tantalum powder and niobium powder are also described.

Abstract: A method to agglomerate metal particles such as tantalum and niobium powders is described which includes combining a volatilizable or vaporizable liquid with the particles to form wet particles; compacting the wet particles; drying the compacted wet particles to form a cake; and heat treating the cake to form the agglomerated particles. Also described are agglomerated particles obtained by this method and further, particles, preferably tantalum or niobium powder, having a flow rate of at least about 65 mg/sec and/or an improved pore size distribution, and/or a higher Scott Density. Capacitors made from tantalum powder and niobium powder are also described.

Abstract: A capacitor having a central electrode body having sintered metal anode with an electrode lead, the anode having a sintered product produced from a tantalum powder having deagglomerated particles such that the product of the volume mean diameter in microns multiplied by the specific surface area measured in m.sup.2 /g is a number in the range of below about 25. Capacitors having a central electrode with the anode produced from a sintered product produced from a heat treated and oxidized tantalum powder wherein the oxidized particle size is greater than about 0.7 m.sup.2 /g. Capacitors are defined in terms of anodes produced from powders having specified ratios of Scott Bulk Density to surface area or ratio of die fill rate to surface area.

Abstract: A process for sizing (i.e., comminuting) a tantalum powder including agglomerates of smaller particles, which process yields a tantalum powder having an as-comminuted agglomerate size distribution with the product of the Volume Mean Diameter, MV (in microns as measured by light scattering techniques such as Microtrac analysis), times specific surface area, BET (m.sup.2 /g), being less than about 25. These powders after sizing typically have ratios of Scott Bulk Density : BET Surface Area in the range from about 20 to about 35. Also provided are powders having a substantially unimodal and narrow agglomerate size distribution in all stages of production, namely after sizing (i.e., deagglomeration by comminution), thermal agglomeration (i.e., heat treatment), and deoxidation. These resultant powders have high surface area and good flowability properties and, upon sintering, exhibit controlled shrinkage with high porosity.