Abstract: A consolidated complex shaped article having a density of at least about 95 percent of theoretical density is prepared by placing a plurality of separate bodies in an arrangement, such that each separate body is in contact with at least one other separate body to form an aggregate body and wherein at least one of the separate bodies is essentially dense. The material of each separate body is comprised of a ceramic, a cermet or a metal. The aggregate body is then consolidated at a consolidating temperature, superatmospheric pressure and time at temperature and time at superatmospheric pressure sufficient to form a consolidated shaped article. In consolidating the aggregate body, the consolidating temperature is a temperature that fails to form a liquid within at least one separate body and the superatmospheric temperature is applied for at least a portion of the time at the consolidating temperature.

Abstract: A consolidated complex shaped article having a density of at least about 95 percent of theoretical density is prepared by placing a plurality of separate bodies in an arrangement, such that each separate body is in contact with at least one other separate body to form an aggregate body and wherein at least one of the separate bodies is essentially dense. The material of each separate body is comprised of a ceramic, a cermet or a metal. The aggregate body is then consolidated at a consolidating temperature, superatmospheric pressure and time at temperature and time at superatmospheric pressure sufficient to form a consolidated shaped article. In consolidating the aggregate body, the consolidating temperature is a temperature that fails to form a liquid within at least one separate body and the superatmospheric temperature is applied for at least a portion of the time at the consolidating temperature.

Abstract: A quantity of powder material (14) which is less dense than a predetermined density is disposed in a sealed container (12) which is encapsulated in a pressure transmitting medium (16). The pressure transmitting medium (16) is placed within a pot die (26) of a press where it is restrained as ram (24) enters the pot die (26) and applies a force to the pressure transmitting medium (16) and the container (12). The pressure transmitting medium (16) comprises liquid and is capable of transmitting pressure omnidirectionally about the container (12). The container (12) has a porous structure. The container (12) collapses and permanently deforms as the powder (14) compacts. The container does not completely expand to its initial shape after being removed from the pressure transmitting medium (16) and therefore saves the compacted powder (14') from resilient forces of the container (12) tending to rebound the container (12) to its initial shape.

Abstract: A vacuum chamber (10, 10') having first and second ends (28, 28') with a flow passage (30) at each end for directing the flow of particulate material into and out of the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber has a vacuum outlet duct (26) midway between the first and second ends (28, 28') thereof for removing gaseous contaminants. A flow control structure (32, 32') is disposed within the vacuum chamber (10, 10') between said first and second ends and has symmetrical ends for receiving particulate material from one of the flow passages (30) and directing the flow of particulate material to the other one of the flow passages while isolating the flow of particulate material from the surrounding space of the vacuum chamber through the central portion of the vacuum chamber adjacent the vacuum outlet duct (26) and for dispersing the particulate material while being subjected to the vacuum chamber adjacent the other one of the flow passages before the particulate material flows out the other one of the flow passages.