Abstract: Refractory metal products, such as tantalum, can be rejuvenated after metal consumption in selected zones by filling the zones with powder and simultaneously applying focused radiant energy to the powder.

Abstract: High purity refractory metals, valve metals, refractory metal oxides, valve metal oxides, or alloys thereof suitable for a variety of electrical, optical and mill product/fabricated parts usages are produced from their respective oxides by metalothermic reduction of a solid or liquid form of such oxide using a reducing agent that establishes (after ignition) a highly exothermic reaction, the reaction preferably taking place in a continuously or step-wise moving oxide such as gravity fall with metal retrievable at the bottom and an oxide of the reducing agent being removable as a gas or in other convenient form and unreacted reducing agent derivatives being removable by leaching or like process.

Abstract: High purity refractory metals, valve metals, refractory metal oxides, valve metal oxides, or alloys thereof suitable for a variety of electrical, optical and mill product/fabricated parts usages are produced from their respective oxides by metalothermic reduction of a solid or liquid form of such oxide using a reducing agent that establishes (after ignition) a highly exothermic reaction, the reaction preferably taking place in a continuously or step-wise moving oxide such as gravity fall with metal retrievable at the bottom and an oxide of the reducing agent being removable as a gas or in other convenient form and unreacted reducing agent derivatives being removable by leaching or like process.

Abstract: High purity refractory metals, valve metals, refractory metal oxides, valve metal oxides, or alloys thereof suitable for a variety of electrical, optical and mill product/fabricated parts usages are produced from their respective oxides by metalothermic reduction of a solid or liquid form of such oxide using a reducing agent that establishes (after ignition) a highly exothermic reaction, the reaction preferably taking place in a continuously or step-wise moving oxide such as gravity fall with metal retrievable at the bottom and an oxide of the reducing agent being removable as a gas or in other convenient form and unreacted reducing agent derivatives being removable by leaching or like process.

Abstract: High purity refractory metals, valve metals, refractory metal oxides, valve metal oxides, or alloys thereof suitable for a variety of electrical, optical and mill product/fabricated parts usages are produced from their respective oxides by metalothermic reduction of a solid or liquid form of such oxide using a reducing agent that establishes (after ignition) a highly exothermic reaction, the reaction preferably taking place in a continuously or step-wise moving oxide such as gravity fall with metal retrievable at the bottom and an oxide of the reducing agent being removable as a gas or in other convenient form and unreacted reducing agent derivatives being removable by leaching or like process.

Abstract: Electrolytic capacitor lead wires doped with one or more interstitial elements at the surface to enhance (lower) leakage of capacitors using such lead wires.

Abstract: Refractory metal products, such as tantalum on non-refractory conductive metal backings, e.g. copper, can be rejuvenated after metal consumption in selected zones by powder filling the zones and high energy heating at high scan speed to sinter the added powder, without complete melting of the powder fill, thus establishing a microstructure consistent with the balance of the reclaimed product and avoiding the separation of the copper backing and tantalum sputter plate. The rejuvenation method can be applied to non-mounted refractory metal products that are subject to non-uniform erosion, etching, chipping or other metal loss. The form of such refractory metal products can be as plate, rod, cylinder, block or other forms apart from sputter targets. The process can be applied to, for example, x-ray disks or targets (molybdenum plate on carbon backing).

Abstract: High purity refractory metals, valve metals, refractory metal oxides, valve metal oxides, or alloys thereof suitable for a variety of electrical, optical and mill product/fabricated parts usages are produced from their respective oxides by metalothermic reduction of a solid or liquid form of such oxide using a reducing agent that establishes (after ignition) a highly exothermic reaction, the reaction preferably taking place in a continuously or step-wise moving oxide such as gravity fall with metal retrievable at the bottom and an oxide of the reducing agent being removable as a gas or in other convenient form and unreacted reducing agent derivatives being removable by leaching or like process.

Abstract: Refractory metal articles having hither than normal impurity levels of concentrations of additive species near the surface that promote chemically enhanced sintering without any adverse effect on function properties, including, among others, tantalum or niobium lead wires that form assemblies useful as electrolytic capacitor anodes and the like, as made by surface oxidation of the wire, embedding a wire end in a loose mass of the powder and sintering to producing assemblies of enhanced structural integrity and affording stable electrical characteristics of electrical devices including such assemblies.