Abstract: The shrinkage normally encountered when molding a mixture of spherical cobalt-containing particles and thermoplastic binder, heating the resulting molded article to degrade the binder and form a porous preform, and infiltrating the same is counteracted by adding finely divided elemental iron or elemental nickel to the spherical cobalt-containing particles. In addition to improving dimensional control, the elemental powder addition increases impact strength while maintaining hardness.

Abstract: A molded, non-refractory metal article is made by molding in a flexible mold a plastic mixture of non-refractory, spherical metal powders and a heat-fugitive binder comprising thermoplastic material to form a green article of predetermined shape and dimensions, heating the green article to remove said binder and consolidate the non-refractory spherical powders in the form of a porous, monolithic skeleton of necked particles of non-refractory metal, infiltrating the skeleton with a molten metal having a melting point that is at least 25.degree. C. less than the melting point of the lowest melting of said spherical, non-refractory metal particles, and cooling the infiltrated skeleton thereby forming a homogeneous, void-free, non-refractory metal article of two intermeshed metal matrices.