Abstract: A composite green sheet includes a green sheet, and a bulk metal film provided on the green sheet. Examples of the metal forming the metal film may include aluminum, aluminum alloys, copper, copper alloy, or the like.

Abstract: A high-strength cold rolled steel sheet having a specified chemical composition and a method for producing the same. The steel sheet having a microstructure including, in terms of volume fraction, 35% or less of ferrite, 1% or more and 10% or less of retained austenite, 2% or more and 12% or less of as-quenched martensite, and a total of 25% to 70% of bainite and tempered martensite. The microstructure has an average crystal grain diameter of the ferrite: 5.0 ?m or less, an average crystal grain diameter of the retained austenite: 2.0 ?m or less, an average crystal grain diameter of the as-quenched martensite: 3.0 ?m or less, an average crystal grain diameter of the bainite and the tempered martensite phase: 4.0 ?m or less, and an average intergrain distance of the as-quenched martensite of 1.0 ?m or more.

Abstract: A hopper for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing, the hopper comprising: a recoater having a volume for holding powder metal therein; the recoater having a dispensing opening for depositing therethrough powder metal from the volume, a divider dividing the volume into a first compartment and a second compartment and dividing the dispensing opening into a first opening portion and a second opening portion; and a first roller arranged in parallel with a second roller, the first roller provided at the first opening portion and the second roller provided at the second opening portion, a longitudinal axis of the first roller being perpendicular to direction of movement of the hopper during powder metal deposition; wherein rotation of the first roller and rotation of the second roller dispenses a first powder metal and a second powder metal from the first compartment and the second compartment respectively through the first opening portion and the second opening portion respectively, and wherein the first rolle

Abstract: A method for producing an energy storage cell, in particular a lithium-ion cell, whose housing is elastically deformable include introducing at least one electrode coil or electrode stack, having at least two electrodes and at least one separator arranged between the electrodes, into a housing. The method also includes introducing an electrolyte into the housing, and filling the housing with gas and generating an excess pressure in the housing, by which at least one housing wall of the housing is curved outward. The housing is sealed in a gas-tight manner such that the excess pressure in the housing and the curvature of the at least one housing wall are maintained, and such that the housing is elastically deformable in a direction perpendicular to the at least one curved housing wall.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the temperature of a heated flue gas stream downstream of a multi-part heat exchanger within a desired operating range through the use of a fluid bypass line which bypasses one or more sections, but not all sections, of the multi-part heat exchanger. In some but not necessarily all embodiments some fluid flow is maintained through the heat exchanger at all times. In one embodiment, the method includes sensing a temperature in said flue gas stream in proximity to an intermediate header of said multi-part heat exchanger and controlling a position of a bypass line control valve to control an amount of fluid passing through a fluid bypass line that bypasses the section of the multi-part heat exchanger between an inlet header and the intermediate header based on said temperature in said flue gas stream in proximity to the intermediate header of said multi-part heat exchanger.

Abstract: A superconducting magnetic field generating device includes: a superconductor including an outer superconductor formed with a high temperature superconducting material in a cylindrical shape and generating a trapped magnetic field, and an inner superconductor formed with a high temperature superconducting material in a cylindrical shape and coaxially disposed with the outer superconductor on the inner circumferential side; and a cooling device cooling the outer and inner superconductors to a temperature equal to or lower than the superconducting transition temperature, wherein the inner superconductor is formed so that a ratio (Jc?1/Jcz1) of a critical current density (Jc?1) of the inner superconductor in the circumferential direction to a critical current density (Jcz1) of the inner superconductor in the axial direction is closer to 1 than a ratio (Jc?2/Jcz2) of the critical current density (Jc?2) in the circumferential direction to a critical current density (Jcz2) of the outer superconductor of the outer s

Abstract: An aluminum copper clad material has excellent bonding strength and includes an aluminum layer and a copper layer that are bonded without a nickel layer interposed therebetween. The aluminum layer and the copper layer are diffusion-bonded via an Al—Cu intermetallic compound layer. The copper layer satisfies Dcs?0.5×Dcc, where Dcc represents the average crystal grain size of crystal grains in a central portion in the thickness direction of the copper layer, and Dcs represents the average crystal grain size of an interface adjacent portion C2 in the copper layer that is about 0.5 ?m apart from the interface between the copper layer and the intermetallic compound layer. The intermetallic compound layer has an average thickness of about 0.5 ?m to about 10 ?m.

Abstract: Material processing systems are disclosed. Some systems include methods of eliminating or reducing defects in elongate workpieces that can undergo large deformations during processing. Some systems include apparatus configured to facilitate such large deformations while maintaining internal stresses (e.g., tensile stresses) below a threshold stress. Some disclosed systems pertain to powder extrusion techniques. Continuous and batch processing systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Material processing systems are disclosed. Some systems include methods of eliminating or reducing defects in elongate workpieces that can undergo large deformations during processing. Some systems include apparatus configured to facilitate such large deformations while maintaining internal stresses (e.g., tensile stresses) below a threshold stress. Some disclosed systems pertain to powder extrusion techniques. Continuous and batch processing systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a weldable titanium alloy and/or composite wire. The method includes: a) forming a green object by blending particulates of titanium sponge with one or more powdered alloying additions and cold compacting the blended mixture and subjecting the blended mixture including lubricant to pressure; b) forming a work body of alloyed titanium by heating the green object in a protected atmosphere and holding the temperature for a period of at least 4 hours, and then hot working the green object at a temperature of less than 200° C. apart from the beta transition temperature of the titanium alloy and shaping the green object to obtain an elongated profile; and c) forming the welding wire by placing the elongated profile of the work body in a rolling mill having one or more rolls disposed in series.

Abstract: A bearing that is used in a motor pump in which a liquid is, not only pumped by means of an impeller driven by the pump, but also is used to lubricate components of the motor pump including the motor pump shaft. The bearing is for supporting the shaft at at least one location of the shaft. The bearing is constructed of a bronze material having added thereto a small amount of graphite, preferably around 2.5%.

Abstract: Material processing systems are disclosed. Some systems include methods of eliminating or reducing defects in elongate workpieces that can undergo large deformations during processing. Some systems include apparatus configured to facilitate such large deformations while maintaining internal stresses (e.g., tensile stresses) below a threshold stress. Some disclosed systems pertain to powder extrusion techniques. Continuous and batch processing systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing powder metal plates comprising feeding a predetermined mass of metal powder onto a moving tape (101), restricting the metal powder by surrounding the metal powder with vibrating boundary walls (201, 202) extending parallel to the direction of movement of the tape, rolling the metal powder at an ambient temperature to form a green compact strip (GS), continuously sintering the green compact strip in a furnace (400), forming the green compact strip to a net shape part (NS) while in the furnace, and cooling the net shape part in a non-oxidizing environment (404) at a temperature in excess of 1000 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: Provided is a tungsten electrode material that can improve the life of an electrode than conventional by the use of a material in place of thorium oxide. The tungsten electrode material includes a tungsten base alloy and oxide particles dispersed in the tungsten base alloy, wherein the oxide particle is an oxide solid solution in which a Zr oxide and/or a Hf oxide and an oxide of at least one or more kinds of rare earth elements selected from Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu are solid-dissolved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a strand-like, particularly band-like semi-finished part for electrical contacts, wherein the semi-finished part has a top side intended for making the electrical contact, said top side made from a silver-based composite material in which one or multiple metal oxides or carbon are embedded, and has a carrier layer supporting the composite material made of silver or a silver-based alloy, said method having the following steps: Powder-metallurgic production of a block made from the silver-based composite material, encasing of the block made of the composite material with a powder made primarily of silver, compressing the block, encased by the metal powder, to condense the metal powder, sintering the compressed block, reshaping the sintered block by extrusion pressing, creating a partial strand with a top side made from composite material and a bottom side made from silver or a silver-based alloy.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing powder metal plates comprising feeding a predetermined mass of metal powder onto a moving tape (101), restricting the metal powder by surrounding the metal powder with vibrating boundary walls (201, 202) extending parallel to the direction of movement of the tape, rolling the metal powder at an ambient temperature to form a green compact strip (GS), continuously sintering the green compact strip in a furnace (400), forming the green compact strip to a net shape part (NS) while in the furnace, and cooling the net shape part in a non-oxidizing environment (404) at a temperature in excess of 1000 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: An apparatus for rolling of a powder metallurgical metallic workpiece is provided having a feeding device, a first induction heating apparatus in operable communication with a first RF generator and at least a first hot rolling mill. A process control device monitors at least one parameter of the first RF generator and outputs a signal. A method for continuous rolling of a metallic workpiece is also provided using the apparatus for rolling. The process control device signal can be used to monitor metallurgical properties of the workpiece and provide in-line evaluation of the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of sintered three-dimensional strips of shaped bodies and for the production of the shaped bodies from a pulverulent, inorganic material, to sintered three-dimensional shaped bodies and to the use of the sintered, three-dimensional shaped bodies as shot pellets, munitions, angling weights, for balancing tires, as oscillating weight in clocks, for radiation screening, as a balancing weight in drive motors and engines, for the production of sports equipment or as a catalyst support.

Abstract: Cored wires having a core comprising agglomerates of superfine particles and/or nanoparticles for thermal spray or overlay weld applications and methods of making the same are provided. Methods of coating a substrate by thermal spraying such as electric arc spraying with such cored wires are also provided. In an embodiment, a cored wire comprises a metallic sheath at least partially surrounding a core comprising agglomerates of superfine particles, nanoparticles, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to manufacturing of fully dense strips, plates, sheets, and foils from titanium alloys, titanium metal matrix composites, titanium aluminides, and flat multilayer composites of said materials by direct powder rolling of blended powders followed by sintering. The resulting titanium alloy flat products have properties that meet or exceed the conventional ingot metallurgy alloys and are suitable for aerospace, automotive, sporting goods, and other applications. The process includes: (a) providing C.P.

Abstract: An apparatus for rolling of a powder metallurgical metallic workpiece is provided having a feeding device, a first induction heating apparatus in operable communication with a first RF generator and at least a first hot rolling mill. A process control device monitors at least one parameter of the first RF generator and outputs a signal. A method for continuous rolling of a metallic workpiece is also provided using the apparatus for rolling. The process control device signal can be used to monitor metallurgical properties of the workpiece and provide in-line evaluation of the workpiece.

Abstract: A capacitor-grade wire made from powder metallurgy containing at least niobium and silicon, wherein the niobium is the highest weight percent metal present in the niobium wire. The wire having a controlled tensile strength at finish diameter exceeds the strength of capacitor-grade wire formed by ingot metallurgy. Also, the powder metallurgy wire hardness exceeds capacitor-grade wire formed from ingot metallurgy with electrical leakage meeting the specifications normally applied to capacitor grade tantalum, niobium or niobium-zirconium lead wire at sinter temperatures of about 1150° C. and above.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sintering ferroalloy materials in a continuously operated band sintering process, in which method the pellets to be sintered are arranged on the sintering underlay as an essentially even pellet bed, which pellet bed is conveyed on the sintering underlay through the various steps of the sintering process, and in connection with the sintering process, gas is conducted through the pellet bed. According to the invention, at least the major part of the carbon-bearing material needed for heating the pellet bed up to the sintering temperature is fed onto the surface of ready-made pellets prior to bringing the pellets to the sintering step.

Abstract: A method of producing a substantially regular cylindrical body that consists of a deformable material, especially a sintered metal blank. The blank is provided with an interior helical recess. The blank is first produced with a substantially linear course of the interior recess, for example by extrusion. The body is cut to a defined length and is subjected to a rolling movement by a friction surface while being supported across its entire length on a support. The speed of the rolling movement changes in a linear and continuous manner across the length of the body, thereby regularly twisting the body.

Abstract: A Nb3Al superconducting wire and method for fabricating the same wherein Nb and Al powders in combination, or Nb—Al alloy powders are encapsulated in a metal tube, preferably copper or copper-alloy (e.g., CuNi), and the resultant composite is processed by conventional means to fine wire. Multifilamentary composites are produced by rebundling of the powder-filled wires into metal tubes followed by conventional processing to wire of a desired size. It is required for the use of Nb and Al powders in combination that the Nb and Al powder particle size be less than 100 nm. In the use of Nb—Al alloy powders, it is preferred, but not required, that the powder particle size be similarly of a nanometer scale. The use of nanometer-scale powders is beneficial to wire fabrication, allowing the production of long wire piece-lengths. At final wire size, the wires produced by practice of the present invention are heat treated at temperatures below the melting point of copper (1083° C.

Abstract: A method for preparing flat foils having a high density includes the steps of mixing a powdered material with a binder to form a green sheet. The green sheet is exposed to a high intensity radiative source adapted to emit radiation of wavelengths corresponding to an absorption spectrum of the powdered material. The surface of the green sheet is heated while a lower sub-surface temperature is maintained. An apparatus for preparing a foil from a green sheet using a radiation source is also disclosed.

Abstract: Highly filled composite materials, e.g. comprising approximately 60 volume % or greater of finely powdered particles of filler in a polymer matrix, are made by dissolving polymer in a volatilisable solvent, adding filler and forming a homogeneous mixture by high shear mixing. Most solvent is then removed while maintaining homogeneity in the mixture, preferably by evaporation in a high shear mill. Then, extruding a thin layer of the composite material and removing remaining solvent, as by heating. Bodies are formed from the dried layer, which are heated and pressed to melt and disperse melted polymer into the interstices between filler particles. Thereby, certain polymers unusable at low solids contents become effective bonding materials at high solids contents. Filler materials are chosen to tailor electrical and physical properties of the articles, which may comprise substrates for electronic circuits. Suitable polymers are certain polyarylene ethers soluble in cyclohexanone.

Abstract: A niobium-based superconductor is manufactured by establishing multiple niobium components in a billet of a ductile metal, working the composite billet through a series of reduction steps to form the niobium components into elongated elements, each niobium element having a thickness on the order of 1 to 25 microns, surrounding the billet prior to the last reduction step with a porous confining layer of an acid resistant metal, immersing the confined billet in an acid to remove the ductile metal from between the niobium elements while the niobium elements remain confined by said porous layer, exposing the confined mass of niobium elements to a material capable of reacting with Nb to form a superconductor.

Abstract: Structure and method for producing very dense bodies of material from particulate materials. A particle material is placed within an electrically conductive container. A solenoid or coil encompasses the electrically conductive container, and a large magnitude of electrical current is caused to flow through the solenoid or coil. As the electrical current flows through the solenoid or coil, large magnitudes of magnetic pressures are created upon the electrically conductive container, and the electrically conductive container is compressed, and the transverse dimension thereof is reduced. Thus, the particulate material within the electrically conductive container is firmly compacted, and a rigid body of material is provided. Any one of numerous types of particulate material may be employed. A method and system for selecting various parameters which enable the material to be densified to densities in excess of 90% of the material's maximum density is also illustrated in another embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: A multiplex powder composite for use in a cored wire electrode to be deployed in a thermal spray or welding apparatus. The composite comprises micron-sized particles and sub-micron-sized particles, including nano-scale particles, the particles mechanically cooperating to promote smooth powder flow, which facilitates compaction of the cored wire electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powder-metallurgically produced composite material comprising a matrix and a granular additive comprising at least one fine-grained refractory metal with an average grain size of at most 2 &mgr;m uniformly distributed in the matrix, so that the composite exhibits a residual porosity of <0.5%. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the production of the composite and its use as an electrical contact material.

Abstract: A novel method for forming powder of a hydrogen storage alloy without the need for further mechanical processing. The alloy powder may be adapted for use as the negative electrode material of rechargeable electrochemical, hydrogen storage cells. The method includes the step of controlling the hydrogen concentration within the hydrogen storage alloy to form powder where 90% of the particles are less than 250 microns in average dimension.

Abstract: There are disclosed a high temperature superconductive material which can be plastically deformed, processed optionally into predetermined configurations and industrially mass produced and a method of manufacturing a formed body of the high temperature superconductive material. Mixed is a powder raw material which is mainly composed of: 10 to 50 mol % of at least one amide or nitride of alkali metal of Li, Na or K; 10 to 60 mol % of cyanide containing at least one metal selected from aluminum, copper, silver or gold; 5 to 50 mol % of at least one pure metal selected from aluminum, copper, silver or gold; and 10 mol % or less of at least one alkaline earth metal selected from Be, Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba. The powder raw material is pressed, and heated and sintered at the temperature of 673 K to 1553 K. In this manner, obtained is the plastically deformable high temperature superconductive material which can be optionally processed through forging, rolling and the like.

Abstract: A method for making thermocouple wire from powdered alloys and metals. The metal or alloy is atomized from its liquid state into a powdered state as it leaves a melting vat. The powder is then compacted and cold worked to form thermocouple wire. Different lots of a powdered alloy or a powdered metal may be blended to reduce the calibration error of the resultant thermocouple wire.

Abstract: A primary product comprising tungsten or molybdenum accommodated in a container 1 is heated at 500.degree. C. with 1000 atmospheric pressure in an Ar gas atmosphere and retained for 1 hour. According to the present invention, the crystal orientation in the (110) face can be 99% or more, and thus a material with a good electron radiation characteristic can be obtained.

Abstract: High strength gold wire for use in microelectronics and a method of producing the same are disclosed. In the methods of the present invention, a gold alloy having gold and a dilute rare earth (RE) element is produced. Next, the gold alloy is atomized into a powder. The dilute RE element is at least partially oxidized during atomization. Then, the powder is consolidated into an oxide dispersion strengthened gold billet. Finally, gold wire is formed from the oxide dispersion strengthened gold billet. The high strength gold wire can be drawn to a diameter less than conventional gold wire, while still maintaining mechanical and electrical properties, thereby facilitating microelectronics miniaturization.

Abstract: A method for making multi-channel structures suitable for use as filters, catalyst carriers or the like. A composite rod comprising an outer shell and an inner core is formed of respective mixtures of powders. The mixture for the outer shell comprises a sinterable powdered structural material such as ceramics, metals, intermetallics, and a powdered binder. The inner core comprises a powdered carbon channel-forming filler material such as graphite or amorphous carbon, and a powdered binder. The composite rod may be deformed, as by extrusion, to reduce its diameter. A bundle of composite rods is assembled and deformed, as by extrusion, to reduce the diameter of the bundle and of its component composite rods. Further bundles of the reduced diameter bundles of composite rods may be likewise deformed by extrusion to reduce further the diameter of the component composite rods of the successive bundles, thereby also increasing the number of such rods per given cross section area of the bundle.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a porous metal sheet having pores forming a pattern, comprising the steps of supplying metal powders to a peripheral surface, of at least one pattern roller of a pair of rollers, on which a pattern including a large number of concaves is formed; dropping metal powders to the concaves and accumulating metal powders on the peripheral surface of the pattern roller except the concaves; and rolling directly the metal powders accumulated on the peripheral surface of the pattern roller by rotating a pair of the rollers. It is preferable to laminate porous metal sheets or solid metal sheets manufactured by a method other than the above-described method on the metal sheet manufactured by the above-described method.

Abstract: An electrical contact material for switching rated currents between 20 and 100 Ampere having improved operational life made of 3.2 to 19.9 wt-% tin oxide and 0.05 to 0.4 wt-%, in each case, of indium oxide and bismuth oxide, the remainder being silver. In the course of the manufacture of the material by powder metallurgy more than 60 wt-% of the tin oxide should exhibit a particle size of more than 1 .mu.m.

Abstract: A method for making multi-channel structures suitable for use as filters, catalyst carriers or the like.A composite rod comprising an outer shell and an inner core is formed of respective mixtures of powders. The mixture for the outer shell comprises a sinterable powdered structural material such as ceramics, metals, intermetallics, and a powdered binder such as paraffin, wax or polymer. The inner core comprises a powdered channel-forming filler material such as melamine or polymers, or soluble inorganic compounds or a metal that can differentially be removed from the structural material of the shell.The composite rod may be deformed, as by extrusion, to reduce its diameter. In any event, a bundle of composite rods is assembled and deformed, as by extrusion, to reduce the diameter of the bundle and of its component composite rods.

Abstract: A weld rod is prepared by placing a plurality of tungsten carbide/cobalt nuggets, preferably mixed with loose material, into a steel tube. The nuggets are previously sintered and have a generally ellipsoidal shape. A substrate is hard faced by progressively melting the weld rod onto the surface to be hard faced, and allowing the melted material to solidify on the surface.

Abstract: High purity iron-zinc intermetallic calibration standards are produced using a slow diffusion technique. The alloys are pure to greater than 99.5 wt % and are homogenous to greater than 98%. The alloys can be used to calibrate instrumentation used to monitor and measure galvanneal and galvanized coatings. The alloy calibration standards for each of the iron-zinc phases allows instrumentation correction factors to be determined for iron-zinc coating analysis.

Abstract: Two-phase Al--Si alloy foils are made directly from Al--Si alloy powders by hot pressing. These Al--Si alloy foils are characterized by having a thickness of 0.017 in. or less, and by the fact that they are fine-grained and substantially free of oxygen, nitrogen and deformation-induced defects. The as-pressed Al--Si foils where the primary phase is the Al solid-solution phase are also generally ductile and adapted for subsequent forming operations, including cold rolling. The reduction in thickness imparted in a single pass to an Al-11.6Si alloy foil through cold-rolling was at least about 10%, with up to about 90% reduction in thickness accomplished by a plurality of such passes. These reductions in thickness were accomplished without stress relief annealing, but such annealing may be employed if desirable for microstructural modification.

Abstract: A method for producing a multifilamentary superconductor containing niobium-tin (Nb.sub.3 Sn). A fully bonded niobium/copper composite billet is formed having a plurality of longitudinally extending channels which are symmetrically distributed with reference to transverse cross-sections of the billet, each channel being filled with an inert removable filler material. The inert filler material is removed to open the longitudinally extending channels in the billet. Tin or a tin alloy is inserted into the channels, and the niobium/copper composite billet with the inserted tin or tin alloy is cold drawn to the desired final dimensions. The drawn composite is then heated to effect in situ formation of the niobium-tin.

Abstract: A high strength titanium alloy or titanium aluminide metal foil having improved strength and density is produced, preferably in coilable strip form, by plasma-depositing the selected titanium-based material on a receiving surface, separating the deposited material from the receiving surface to provide two metal foil preforms each having a relatively smooth side as cast against the receiving surface and a relatively rough, opposite side as deposited from the plasma, disposing the two metal preforms together with the relatively rough sides of the two metal preforms in facing engagement with each other, and squeezing the two preforms together between pressure bonding rolls to metallurgically bond the preforms to each other and to consolidate the materials of the preforms to form a fully dense metal foil.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing interlocking parts, in which at least one part is manufactured by powder injection molding. To compensate for the amount of contraction of one of the parts manufactured by powder injection molding and, if desired, to produce an additional clearance, a separation layer of plastic material is applied between the interlocking parts. After the injection process to form the separation layer, the separation layer and the binder are removed by a binder-removing and sintering process step. The method is also applicable to powdered metal extrusion for manufacture of double-layered metal parts.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing tubes filled with powdery and/or granular substances comprising the steps of forming a metal strip into a tube, feeding powdery and/or granular substances into the tube being formed as a core, joining together the edges of the tube filled with the core of the powdery and/or granular substances by high-frequency welding, and reducing the diameter of the welded tube filled with the core of the powdery and/or granular substances. At least the top layer of the core in the tube is composed of powdery and/or granular substances having low enough magnetic susceptibility to remain unattracted to the magnetized tube edges that is determined based on the welding heat input.

Abstract: A large ceramic substrate article for electronic applications including at least one layer of sintered ceramic material, the layer including a plurality of greensheet segments of ceramic material joined edge to edge. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating a large ceramic greensheet article as well as a large ceramic substrate article.

Abstract: An article and method of manufacture of a (Bi,Pb)--Sr--Ca--Cu--O superconductor comprisingcalcinating powders of superconductor precursors of PbO, Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3, SrCO.sub.3 or SrO, CaCO.sub.3 or CaO in air to obtain a 2223 superconductor lump and second phases;crushing the lump into powder;molding the powder into a superconductor body;disposing the body within silver powder to form a composite;molding the composite;heat treating the composite to increase the bond strength of the silver powder; andworking the composite into a useable shape by rolling and drawing while applying intermediate and final heat treatments to obtain a final product.

Abstract: Continuous powder metallurgy compacts are produced from metal powder (1) placed in a tapered powder consolidation region (2) of a forming die (1). The die is made to undergo ultrasonic radial vibration about the consolidation region to effect radial compaction of the powder. The powder is progressively densified as it moves through the die, due to the tapered construction of the consolidation region, and emerges from the die at sufficient density to allow handling and further processing.