Abstract: A process for the production of a powder having a nanocrystalline structure from powders of at least two materials of the groups including metals, metallic compounds, and ceramic materials, in a composition which tends to develop an amorphous phase. The starting powders are subjected to high stresses of at least 12 G in a neutral or reducing atmosphere at about 20.degree. C. until there are no crystallites larger than about 10 nm.

Abstract: A process for producing metal metalmetalloid powder, with its particles having ultramicrocrystalline structures to nanocrystalline structures with the metalmetalloid component being composed of at least one metal reacted with at least one metalloid of the group including C, N, O, H, B, and Si. The metalloids, C, N, O, H, B, and Si are introduced in a highly reactive form together with powders of the metals of the matrix metal and of the metals of the metalmetalloid component into a high energy mill to produce a metal-metalmetalloid powder with its particles having a ultramicrocrystalline to nanocrystalline structure both in the metal matrix and in the metal metalloid component.

Abstract: A compound body comprising a metallic basic body, an inner layer or layers of carbides and/or nitrides of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Si, or B, and an outer layer or layers of a mixture of oxides and nitrides and/or oxynitrides of Cr, Al, Ca, Mg, Th, Sc, Y, La, Ti, Hf, V, Nb, or Ta. The compound body can be used as a part subject to wear, and for machining metallic materials.

Abstract: Method for producing a hard metal body having increased wear resistance, the body containing at least one of the binder metals iron, cobalt and nickel and at least one carbide of the elements titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten, the body being produced by way of sintering and having a nitrogen containing surface, comprises subjecting a hard metal body containing the binder metal and carbide to a pressure between 2 bar and 5000 bar in a sintering autoclave at a high temperature and in a nitrogen containing atmosphere, after final sintering, to enrich the hard metal body with nitrogen and to form the nitrogen containing surface.