Abstract: The method of consolidating a metallic, metallic and ceramic, or ceramic body in any of initially powdered, sintered, fibrous, sponge, or other form capable of compaction, includes the steps:(a) providing a bed of flowable particles within a contained zone, said particulate primarily including flowable and resiliently compressible carbonaceous particles,(b) positioning said body in said bed,(c) and effecting pressurization of said bed to cause pressure transmission via said particles to said body, thereby to compact the body into desired shaped, increasing its density,(d) said body and bed being at elevated temperatures prior to said pressurization step.

Abstract: The method of producing a metallic, ceramic, or metal ceramic, part, employing powdered material, that includes:(a) forming two or more oversize powder material preforms respectively corresponding to two or more sections of the ultimate part to be produced,(b) placing said preforms in side-by-side relation, and(c) consolidating said preforms at elevated temperature and pressure to weld said sections together and to reduce the sections to ultimate part size.

Abstract: The method of consolidating a metallic, metallic and ceramic, or ceramic body in any of initially powdered, sintered, fibrous, sponge, or other form capable of compaction, includes the steps:(a) providing a bed of flowable particles within a contained zone, the particulate primarily including flowable and resiliently compressible carbonaceous particles,(b) positioning that body in the bed,(c) and effecting pressurization of the bed to cause pressure transmission via the particles to the body, thereby to compact the body into desired shape, increasing its density.