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.

Abstract: A coating composition for ceramic fibers is provided which includes metal particles and a vehicle. The coating can be applied to a green ceramic or a sintered ceramic, and is co-sintered or sintered therewith. Such coatings are useful for coating high temperature superconducting ceramic fibers and can be co-sintered therewith. The coated superconducting fibers, in which case the coating is porous to allow for annealing to adjust the oxygen stoichiometry, can then be sandwiched between metal cladding layers to provide a multifilamentary electrical conductor including superconducting active components. The coating is useful for such conductors because it compatibilizes the ceramic fiber with metal components, such as a solder, as well as protecting the ceramic from possibly degrading reactions. The compositions are also generally advantageous in compatibilizing ceramic fibers with a metal matrix.