Addition Of Fugitive Material Patents (Class 419/36)
  • Patent number: 6290744
    Abstract: A sinter of noble metal produced by forming in a required shape or attaching to a given object a plastic art grade clayish composition or adhesion composition comprising a noble metal powder containing at least one member selected from the group consisting of pure noble metal powders and noble metal alloy powders, 0.022-3.0 wt. % of a water-soluble cellulose type resin, 0.02-3.0 wt. % of starch, or 0-0.5 wt. % of a reticular macromolecular substance formed by condensation of a component unit having phenyl propane as a backbone as an organic type binder, and water, drying to hardness the shaped composition or adhering composition, and sintering the hardened shaped composition or adhering composition at a temperature in the range of from the melting point of the noble metal and 70° C. lower than the melting point. A method for the production of the sinter of noble metal. A sinter of noble metal and an attached sinter of noble metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Aida Chemical Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Fujimaru, Katsuhiko Shimamoto, Hitoshi Araki, Makoto Miyata
  • Patent number: 6284192
    Abstract: A method of extruding an electrode, batch material, particularly a zinc or nickel, electrode material, and an extruder assembly for extruding the material, are described. The method and extruder are designed to produce a low compaction of the material and low, back pressure, whereby working of the batch material is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Everett W. Coonan, Paul D. Frayer, Roy J. Monahan, Kathleen A. Wexell
  • Patent number: 6284191
    Abstract: A powder metallurgical process of preparing iron aluminide useful as electrical resistance heating elements having improved room temperature ductility, electrical resistivity, cyclic fatigue resistance, high temperature oxidation resistance, low and high temperature strength, and/or resistance to high temperature sagging. The iron aluminide has an entirely ferritic microstructure which is free of austenite and can include, in weight %, 20 to 32% Al, and optional additions such as ≦1% Cr, ≧0.05% Zr or ZrO2 stringers extending perpendicular to an exposed surface of the heating element, ≦2% Ti, ≦2% Mo, ≦1% Zr, ≦1% C, ≦0.1% B, ≦30% oxide dispersoid and/or electrically insulating or electrically conductive covalent ceramic particles, ≦1% rare earth metal, ≦1% oxygen, and/or ≦3% Cu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Chrysalis Technologies Incorporated
    Inventors: Seetharama C. Deevi, A. Clifton Lilly, Jr., Vinod K. Sikka, Mohammed R. Hajaligol
  • Patent number: 6280683
    Abstract: Improved methods for coating particulate materials at low shear conditions and preferably below the melting point of the coating material are provided. In one aspect, metallurgical compositions are provided that contain a metal-based powder bound to an alloying powder or powders by way of a low melting polymer or wax binding agent, which is preferably polyethylene. The binding agent is blended with the metal-based and alloying powders at elevated temperatures preferably below the melting point of the binding agent. The bonded metallurgical composition can be used in compaction processes to manufacture compacted parts that can be sintered to impart strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Hoeganaes Corporation
    Inventors: William Hendrickson, Sydney Luk
  • Patent number: 6268412
    Abstract: Molding compositions for shaping parts from stainless steel powders are disclosed. The process comprises the steps of forming a mixture comprising stainless steel powder, a gel-forming material having a gel strength, measured at a temperature between 0° C. and about 30° C. and a gel comprising about 1.5 wt % of the gel-forming material and water, of at least about 200 g/cm2, and water, and molding the mixture at a temperature sufficient to produce a self-supporting article comprising the powder and gel. The preferred gel-forming material is an agaroid and the preferred molding process is injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
    Inventors: Michael Sean Zedalis, Rick Duyckinck, Brian Snow, Anthony Fanelli, Joan Virginia Burlew
  • Patent number: 6261496
    Abstract: A novel process for preparing injection molding feedstock compounds in a continuous manner amenable to high volume manufacturing includes the steps of forming a mixture including metal and/or ceramic powders, a binder and a liquid carrier, supplying the components in a continuous manner to a twin screw extruder, forcing the homogeneous compounded mixture through an exit die, and cutting the extruded strand into pellets. The pellets are useful for shape-forming articles by various molding processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Duyckinck, Brian Snow, Steven Sesny, George Glandz
  • Patent number: 6261336
    Abstract: A composition for forming molded metal containing articles having improved stability. More particularly, a corrosion resistant composition for forming injection molded articles having a sodium silicate corrosion inhibiting additive. The corrosion inhibitor prevents metal oxidation when a metal containing powder is mixed with a water based binder, providing stability to the article and preventing generation of hydrogen gas. This significantly enhances the shelf life of the moldable composition prior to molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
    Inventors: Mohammad Behi, Jerry C. LaSalle, George A. Glandz
  • Patent number: 6261514
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method of preparing sintered products having high tensile strength and high impact strength comprising the steps of forming a mixture by mixing an iron powder including 1-4% by weight of Cr, 0.2-0.8% by weight of Mo 0.09-0.3% by weight % of Mn, less than 0.01% of C, less than 0.25% by weight of O, 0-1.2% of graphite, a high temperature lubricant and optionally an organic binder; preparing a heated powder composition by heating the mixture to a temperature above ambient temperature; transferring the heated powder composition to a preheated die; forming a compacted body by compacting the heated powder composition in the die at an elevated temperature; and forming a sintered product by sintering the compacted body at a temperature of at least 1220° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Höganäs AB
    Inventors: Caroline Lindberg, Johan Arvidsson
  • Patent number: 6254998
    Abstract: A method for making foam structures suitable for use as mechanical energy absorbers, structural members, 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 formed by extrusion. The composite rod is sectioned into a plurality of composite rod segments of predetermined length and a plurality of these segments is assembled in randomly oriented relationship to one another. The assemblage of rod segments is then consolidated, and the binder and filler are then removed, as by heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Materials and Electrochemical Research (MER) Corporation
    Inventor: Lev J. Tuchinsky
  • Patent number: 6251340
    Abstract: An improved system for forming a three-dimensional object by filament deposition of forming materials includes a crucible for holding a reservoir of the filament forming material, an orifice disposed in the bottom of the crucible through which the forming material passes to form a flow of material filaments, and a flow control apparatus for controlling and selectively depositing the flow of material filaments on the substrate exclusively where required to form the three-dimensional object. In a preferred embodiment, the forming material is ejected from the crucible as a variable-diameter circular liquid jet, which cools to form variable-diameter filaments of semi-molten forming materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Arizona State University
    Inventor: Ampere A. Tseng
  • Patent number: 6228299
    Abstract: A gelcasting composition has improved drying behavior, machinability and shelf life in the dried and unfired state. The composition includes an inorganic powder, solvent, monomer system soluble in the solvent, an initiator system for polymerizing the monomer system, and a plasticizer soluble in the solvent. Dispersants and other processing aides to control slurry properties can be added. The plasticizer imparts an ability to dry thick section parts, to store samples in the dried state without cracking under conditions of varying relative humidity, and to machine dry gelcast parts without cracking or chipping. A method of making gelcast parts is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Janney, Claudia A. H. Walls
  • Patent number: 6224823
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing sinterable metallic shaped parts from a metal powder, which is mixed with an auxiliary compacting agent containing at least in part components from the polyalkylene glycol family, is filled into a compacting mold and, following the compacting under pressure, is ejected from the mold as compacted shaped part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: René Lindenau, Klaus Dollmeier, Wieland Kynast, Jens Wahnschaffe
  • Patent number: 6207101
    Abstract: A fired body and method of making involves compounding powder, binder, aqueous solvent for the binder, surfactant, and non-solvent with respect to at least the binder, the solvent, and the powder, with the addition of an organosilicon compound. The non-solvent is lower in viscosity than the binder combined with the solvent, and the amount of solvent is less than the amount that would be used absent the non-solvent. The components are mixed and plasticized and then shaped into a green body, which is then fired to produce the product body. The organosilicon compound enhances the stiffness in the green body afforded by other non-solvents, and results in increased strength and reduced cracking in the fired body, among other advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas M. Beall, Devi Chalasani, Gregory Albert Merkel, Y. Lisa Peng
  • Patent number: 6197252
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of removing water-insoluble binder from a porous article formed from pressed particulate material, such as tantalum powder. The invention provides a method capable of removing substantially all of the binder from the article for high purity applications, such as capacitor manufacture. The method comprises contacting the article with an aqueous solution of an agent which reacts with said binder to produce a water soluble derivative thereof whereby said binder derivative may be substantially dissolved in said solution. In a particular embodiment, the derivative is produced by hydrolysis of a fatty acid binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: AVX Limited
    Inventors: Ian H. Bishop, David Masheder
  • Patent number: 6190605
    Abstract: A method for high density long fill compaction of metallic powders uses a precisely temperature controlled mold and a dry sprayed lubricant which has the characteristic of softening on contact with the mold and smearing on the mold wall during compaction, yet on ejection not causing powder adherence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Zenith Sintered Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry M. Cadle, Joel H. Mandel, Paul R. Roskopf
  • Patent number: 6187259
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide rare-earth system sintered magnets such as R—Fe—B system or R—Co system having excellent magnetic properties, unique configuration of a small size, thin wall thickness and intricate geometry. With the method for preparing the present invention, a granulation of alloy powders can be achieved easily, a chemical reaction between rare-earth system and binder substances can be suppressed, so that the residual oxygen and carbon levels in the sintered products can be reduced. Moreover, by this production method, the flowability and lubricant capability during the forming process can be improved. The dimension accuracy and productivity are also enhanced. A certain type of binder is added to rare-earth alloy powders and kneaded into a slurry state. The slurry is then formed into granulated powders by spray-dryer equipment. The thus granulated powders are molded, and sintered through a powder metallurgy technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Special Metals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Yamashita, Yoshihisa Kishimoto, Wataru Takahashi, Nobushige Hiraishi, Yoshiyuki Hashimasa, Masakazu Ohkita
  • Patent number: 6183688
    Abstract: A cutting member is manufactured by forming a mixture of cemented carbide and a bearer, and heating the mixture. Then, the heated mixture is injected into a mold for forming a body having a cutting edge in a front surface thereof, a flushing channel extending therethrough, and a rearwardly open blind hold formed centrally in a rear surface thereof. The body is then removed from the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Seco Tools AB
    Inventors: Ronny Karlsson, Johnny Bruhn
  • Patent number: 6171360
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a molding method characterized by kneading a binder comprising an agar having an average molecular weight of 30,000 to 150,000 with a metal powder, a ceramic powder, or a mixed powder thereof, injection-molding the thus obtained molding composition into a green body, removing at least the water from the green body, and then sintering the green body to obtain a molded product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunori Suzuki, Toshiharu Fukushima
  • Patent number: 6139600
    Abstract: An iron-based powder composition is produces in accordance with a method comprising the steps of: adding to iron-based and alloying powders, for a primary mixing, a surface treatment agent, and in addition, for a secondary mixing, a fatty acid amide and at least one lubricant, wherein the lubricant has a melting point higher than that of the fatty acid amide and can be, a thermoplastic resin, a thermoplastic elastomer, and inorganic or organic compounds having a layered crystal structure; heating and stirring up a mixture after the secondary mixing at a temperature above a melting point of the fatty acid amide to melt the fatty acid amide; cooling, while mixing, the mixture subjected to the heating and stirring process so that the alloying powder and a lubricant having a melting point higher than the fatty acid amide adhere to a surface of the iron base powder subjected to the surface treatment by an adhesive force of the melt; and adding at the time of the cooling, for a tertiary mixing, a metallic soap and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Yukiko Ozaki, Satoshi Uenosono, Kuniaki Ogura
  • Patent number: 6136265
    Abstract: A method of forming a coating on metal particles that can be used to produce powder metallurgy articles, including those for electromagnetic and structural applications. The method is generally a solution-blending process that employs a coating solution that contains a solvent and one or more particulate additives, at least one of which is a polymeric binder that is only partially soluble in the solvent. As a result, only a portion of each binder particle is dissolved in the solvent. Notably, the coating solution is free of a discrete adhesion-promoting (tackifier) additive for adhering the polymeric binder to the metal particles. Instead, each binder particle is sufficiently dissolved in the solvent to promote adhesion of the binder particles to the metal particles during mixing, so that each metal particle is encapsulated with a coating containing the polymeric binder. The particles may then be compacted to bind them together with the coating and form a solid article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: David Earl Gay
  • Patent number: 6132486
    Abstract: A process of forming a multi-phase sintered article of powdered metal comprising: blending a mixture of copper powder, aluminum powder, iron powder, and nickel, each in their free states, with a lubricant, compacting the blended mixture into a die cavity, forming the article, and high temperature sintering the article in a reducing atmosphere comprised of 100% dissociated ammonia so as to produce the multi-phase sintered article of powdered metal; and the multi-phase sintered article of powdered metal formed thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Symmco, Inc.
    Inventor: James N. Dixon
  • Patent number: 6126873
    Abstract: Molding compositions for shaping parts from stainless steel powders are disclosed. The process comprises the steps of forming a mixture comprising stainless steel powder, a gel-forming material having a gel strength, measured at a temperature between 0.degree. C. and about 30.degree. C. and a gel comprising about 1.5 wt % of the gel-forming material and water, of at least about 200 g/cm2, and water, and molding the mixture at a temperature sufficient to produce a self-supporting article comprising the powder and gel. The preferred gel-forming material is an agaroid and the preferred molding process is injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sean Zedalis, Rick Duyckinck, Brian Snow, Anthony Fanelli, Joan Virginia Burlew
  • Patent number: 6093368
    Abstract: A base metal repair tape includes a first layer formed braze alloy bonded together with fibrillated polytetrafluoroethylene, a second layer formed from powdered base metal bonded together by fibrillated polytetrafluoroethylene and a third layer comprising a brazing alloy bonded together by fibrillated polytetrafluoroethylene. This is used to repair base metal by placing the first layer on the base metal and brazing the base metal powder so that the brazing alloy melts and diffuses into the base metal powder bonding it to the surface of the article. This permits the braze powder to be bonded to the base metal surface with minimal distance between the base powder particles. The number of alternating layers of base metal and braze alloy can be increased to increase the thickness of the repair. This can also be used to form small intricate parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: C. A. Patents, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kevin Rafferty, Bruce Rowe
  • Patent number: 6066279
    Abstract: A method of gelcasting includes the steps of providing a solution of at least hydroxymethylacrylamide (HMAM) and water. At least one inorganic powder is added to the mixture. At least one initiator system is provided to polymerize the HMAM. The initiator polymerizes the HMAM and water, to form a firm hydrogel that contains the inorganic powder. One or more comonomers can be polymerized with the HMAM monomer, to alter the final properties of the gelcast material. Additionally, one or more additives can be included in the polymerization mixture, to alter the properties of the gelcast material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp.
    Inventors: Claudia A. Walls, Glen H. Kirby, Mark A. Janney, Ogbemi O. Omatete, Stephen D. Nunn, April D. McMillan
  • Patent number: 6051184
    Abstract: A metal powder injection moldable composition which hardly causes debinding deformation is obtained. This composition consists of a metal powder and an organic binder. The components which constitute the organic binder are:a. polyoxymethylene having a Vicat softening temperature A.gtoreq.150.degree. C.,b. polypropylene having a Vicat softening temperature B.gtoreq.130.degree. C.,c. an organic compound whose viscosity at said Vicat softening temperature A (.degree. C.) is not more than 200 mPa.multidot.s, andd. a thermoplastic resin whose Vicat softening temperature is not higher than said B (.degree. C.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Mold Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshimitsu Kankawa
  • Patent number: 6045748
    Abstract: A method for forming molded articles in any shape from ceramic, glass, or metal powders which comprises: preparing a slurry by dispersing more than one powder selected from a group consisting of ceramic, glass, and metal materials in a dispersing medium using a dispersing agent, and curing by adding a reactive substance that reacts with the dispersing agent to make the dispersibility of the dispersing agent disappear or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinzo Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6042780
    Abstract: A method for producing high performance components by the consolidation of powdered materials under conditions of hot isostatic pressure. The method uses the inclusion of reactive materials mixed into pressure-transmitting mold materials and into the powder to be consolidated to contribute to in-situ materials modification including purification, chemical transformation, and reinforcement. The method also uses encapsulation of the mold in a sealed container to retain the mold material in position, and to exclude air and contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: Xiaodi Huang
  • Patent number: 6033623
    Abstract: A powder metallurgical process of preparing iron aluminide useful as electrical resistance heating elements having improved room temperature ductility, electrical resistivity, cyclic fatigue resistance, high temperature oxidation resistance, low and high temperature strength, and/or resistance to high temperature sagging. The iron aluminide has an entirely ferritic microstructure which is free of austenite and can include, in weight %, 20 to 32% Al, and optional additions such as .ltoreq.1% Cr, .gtoreq.05% Zr or ZrO.sub.2 stringers extending perpendicular to an exposed surface of the heating element, .ltoreq.2% Ti, .ltoreq.2% Mo, .ltoreq.1% Zr, .ltoreq.1% C, .ltoreq.0.1% B, .ltoreq.30% oxide dispersoid and/or electrically insulating or electrically conductive covalent ceramic particles, .ltoreq.1 % rare earth metal, .ltoreq.1% oxygen, and/or .ltoreq.3% Cu.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated
    Inventors: Seetharama C. Deevi, A. Clifton Lilly, Jr., Vinod K. Sikka, Mohammed R. Hajaligol
  • Patent number: 6022509
    Abstract: An implant component adapted for bone attachment or replacement is molded from a feed stock which contains a soluble major binder, a backbone binder and structural powder material. After the feed stock is injection molded to form a compact or preform, the major binder is removed from the green article, leaving a structure of interconnected porosity or texture, while the backbone binder remains until the component is sintered. Preferably, the amount of the soluble binder is set to increase the porosity, or reduce the stiffness, of the finished component, thus introducing a biocompatible or growth-enhancing level of porosity or stiffness during the molding process. In further or alternative embodiments, the component may be injection molded onto or about a solvent-leachable spacer preform and/or adjacent to another injected or molded portion of the component which serves as a structural body, frame or shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Professional, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank D. Matthews, Salvatore Caldarise
  • Patent number: 6019937
    Abstract: A process of forming a sintered article of powder metal comprising blending graphite, Si carbide and lubricant, with pre-alloyed iron base powder; pressing said blended mixture to a shaped article; sintering said article in a reduced atmosphere; forced cooling said sintered article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Stackpole Limited
    Inventors: Rohith Shivanath, Karol Kucharski, Peter Jones
  • Patent number: 6008281
    Abstract: A powder injection molding composition or feedstock is made of 70% or more by weight of a powdered metal or ceramic and 30% or less by weight of a binder system. The binder system contains a sufficient amount of polypropylene or polyethylene to hold the so-called brown preform of the molded metal or ceramic powder together for the sintering step of the injection molding process and a sufficient amount of partially hydrolyzed cold water soluble polyvinyl alcohol water and plasticizer to facilitate molding of the composition into the so- called green preform of the article to be manufactured. The debinding step of the injection molding process for transforming the green preform into the brown preform consists simply of immersing the green preform in water at ambient temperature to dissolve the polyvinyl alcohol. The binder system is nonhazardous, safe, harmless and fully degradable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Planet Polymer Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoming Yang, Robert J. Petcavich
  • Patent number: 6007764
    Abstract: The present invention is a method which customizes the penetration depth of a heat-fusible powder used in solid freeform fabrication process such as laser sintering. The penetration depth of the heat-fusible powder is customized by combining opaque and transparent powders at a ratio which ensures that the beam contacts a portion of powder beneath its surface, thereby promoting complete layer sintering as well as adherence to previously sintered layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Benda, Aristotle Parasco
  • Patent number: 6001150
    Abstract: Boric acid-containing lubricants are disclosed which consist essentially of boric acid and at least one other powder metallurgy lubricant and provide a synergistic free-flowing composition. There are also provided novel compositions of matter for forming sintered metal components comprising a mixture of sinterable, powdered metal and the said lubricants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: H.L. Blachford Ltd./LTEE
    Inventors: James M. McCall, John Blachford, Margaret Cole
  • Patent number: 5996385
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating high density monolithic metal and oy billets. The process requires preheating precursor materials of metal or alloy billets by means of a combustion synthesis called Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis (SHS). The reaction takes place in an insulated reaction vessel where the precursors, in a powder form, are heated to high temperatures. The precursors are then compacted to high density by means of pressure waves generated by detonation of an explosive. The method is capable of producing high purity tungsten and tungsten-based alloys of greater than 90% theoretical density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Laszlo J. Kecskes
  • Patent number: 5997795
    Abstract: Solid freeform fabrication techniques are used in direct methods to form photonic bandgap structures, and in indirect methods to form molds for photonic bandgap structures. In the direct methods, solid particulate materials are mixed with a binder and, through a computer-controlled process, are built layer by layer to form the structure. In the indirect methods, unfilled polymeric materials are built layer by layer to form a negative mold for the photonic bandgap structure. The cavities within the mold may then be filled with a slurry incorporating solid particulate materials. Subsequent processing may include mold removal, binder removal, densification and secondary infiltration steps to form a photonic bandgap structure having the desired properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Rutgers, The State University
    Inventors: Stephen C. Danforth, Ahmad Safari, John Ballato, Remco Van Weeren, Amit Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 5997603
    Abstract: A sintered metal mould formed by plastically forming a material consisting of a metal powder or ceramic powder being mixed with a binder consisting of agar powder, and sintering the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignees: Shimizu Shokuhin Kaisha, Ltd., Apex Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Noro, Junichi Adachi
  • Patent number: 5993732
    Abstract: An R--T--M alloy material, wherein R is at least one rare earth metal including Y, T is Fe or an Fe component partially replaced by Co or Ni, M is B or a B component partially replaced by C as primary components is prepared by heating the alloy at a temperature from room temperature to a specific temperature of less than 500.degree. C. in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and holding it at the given temperature, if necessary; performing hydrogenation by holding the alloy in a hydrogen atmosphere or a mixed gas atmosphere of hydrogen and an inert gas at a specific temperature in the range of 500-1,000.degree. C.; medial annealing the alloy by holding the R--T--M alloy after the hydrogenation step in an inert gas atmosphere at a specific temperature in the range of 500-1,000.degree. C.; and dehydrogenating the alloy by holding the alloy in a vacuum of less than 1 Torr for dehydrogenation, and then cooling the alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoji Nakayama, Yoshinari Ishii, Norihito Fukatsu, Koichiro Morimoto
  • Patent number: 5993507
    Abstract: A composition comprising a mixture of coarse and fine iron powder and at least one densification enhancing additive for economically producing metal injection molding components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Remington Arms Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Louis W. Baum, Maryann Wright
  • Patent number: 5989493
    Abstract: A molding compound consisting of the nickel superalloy Hastelloy X is used to form net-shape or near net-shape articles. The compound, containing atomized Hastelloy X powder having an average particle size less than about 20 .mu.m, is mixed with a liquid carrier, a gel forming binder and processing additives and molded at relatively low pressures in a conventional injection molding machine. A critical air debinding step prior to sintering results in high densification of the article, which has mechanical properties comparable to cast or wrought processed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry C. La Salle, Bryan C. Sherman
  • Patent number: 5989492
    Abstract: A process for production of a moulded ceramic and/or metallic body from a ductile material comprising one or more ceramic and/or metallic components, which material is fed into the pre-heated mould cavity (1) of a moulding tool. The moulded tool includes at least two mould parts (4, 5) of which at least one wholly or partly consists of a microporous material with communicating micropores. At least one mould cavity (1) comprising at least one mould surface (2, 3) exhibiting closed micropores is arranged in the microporous mould part (4, 5) or in a microporous section (6) thereof. The microporous mould part (4, 5) or the microporous section (6) thereof is pre-heated by supply of warm fluid, such as a heated gas. Said part (4, 5) or section (6) is after terminated moulding cooled by supply of cold fluid, such as a condensed gas. the invention includes in a further aspect a moulded body produced according to the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: AGA Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Owe Larsson
  • Patent number: 5985208
    Abstract: A debinding and sintering method is employed to produce consolidated net shape articles from metal powders including 17-4PH stainless steel alloy by metal injection molding using an agar based aqueous binder. The debinding and sintering step can be combined into one cycle to economically produce components for the consumer and aerospace industries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sean Zedalis, Bryan C. Sherman, Jerry C. La Salle
  • Patent number: 5976215
    Abstract: An iron-based powder mixture for powder metallurgy, comprising: an iron-based powder, and from 0.05 to 0.50% by weight of a thermoplastic resin powder which comprises 50% or more by weight of units of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic esters, methacrylic esters, and aromatic vinyl compounds, and whose average primary particle size is from 0.03 to 5 .mu.m, whose average agglomeration particle size is from 5 to 50 .mu.m, and whose average molecular weight measured by the specific viscosity of a solution is from 30000 to 5000000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Uenosono, Yukiko Ozaki, Kuniaki Ogura, Toshio Nagase, Takeo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5977033
    Abstract: The present invention relates to particle agglomeration of aluminum powder using a lubricating binder. The resulting powder has improved flowability and can be shaped easily. The aluminum particles are admixed with a lubricant, e.g. polyethylene, and are held together by the lubricant. To agglomerate the aluminum powder, the lubricant is melted and is then solidified to form solid bridges between the aluminum powder particles. The lubricant may be burned out cleanly at temperatures lower than 450.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Louis-Philippe Lefebvre, Yannig Thomas, Sylvain Pelletier
  • Patent number: 5977230
    Abstract: A powder injection molding composition or feedstock is made of 70% or more by weight of a powdered metal or ceramic and 30% or less by weight of a binder system. The binder system contains a sufficient amount of polypropylene or polyethylene to hold the so-called brown preform of the molded metal or ceramic powder together for the sintering step of the injection molding process and a sufficient amount of partially hydrolyzed cold water soluble polyvinyl alcohol, water and plasticizer to facilitate molding of the composition into the so-called green preform of the article to be manufactured. The debinding step of the injection molding process for transforming the green preform into the brown preform consists simply of immersing the green preform in water at ambient temperature to dissolve the polyvinyl alcohol. The binder system is nonhazardous, safe, harmless and fully degradable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Planet Polymer Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoming Yang, Robert J. Petcavich
  • Patent number: 5976457
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for rapid fabrication of molds and mold components. This method involves first the step of producing a digital CAD representation of the mold; using this digital representation to make a set of oversized core and cavity three dimensional models, patterns or replicas, by using solid modeling technologies; placing these models, patterns or replicas respectively into a mold base with die pockets to accept the patterns; powder injection molding fine metal powders around each version of the core and cavity of the part to produce a "green" molded article having the negative or female impression or the original core and cavity patterns; debinding these "green" articles to remove the binder; sintering the debound articles to produce the final tool steel or related alloy molds; and performing secondary operations to fit then into a master mold base as part of a complete molding tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventors: Herman E. Amaya, Dennis Kent Crounse
  • Patent number: 5976455
    Abstract: A metal cutting insert includes a cemented carbide body having a cutting edge and a hole therein for receiving a fastening screw. The hole includes female screw threads for being screw threaded to the fastening screw. The insert is made by a process involving injection molding and sintering steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Sandvik AB
    Inventors: Goran Pantzar, Bjorn H.ang.kansson, Stefan Roman, Per-Anders Holmstrom
  • Patent number: 5972284
    Abstract: Solid, homogenous or porous, shaped bodies are formed from different powders such as metals and ceramics by preparation of an aqueous slurry of the powder, which slurry comprises a protein substance which is soluble in water at ambient temperatures and capable of forming an irreversible gel on heating to a temperature not exceeding 90.degree. C. The protein substance, for example albumin, is used in an amount sufficient for the formation of a gel. The slurry is formed into a body of the desired shape by methods such as molding, tapecasting or dropforming and heating to a temperature at least corresponding to the gelling temperature of the protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: SKF Nova AB
    Inventors: Goran Lindsten, Jesper Brandt, Elis Carlstrom, Annika Kristoffersson
  • Patent number: 5968428
    Abstract: Disclosed is a molding method for powder particles, which is excellent in molding performance, and which makes it possible to obtain a preliminary molded product excellent in strength by enhancing mutual bonding between particles in the preliminary molded product. A molding apparatus for powder particles includes an outer frame die having a mold space with a lower punch and an upper punch to be slidably fitted thereto. Slight clearances exist between the outer frame die and the lower and upper punches. A mixture is prepared by mixing a powdery raw material with a liquid additive to cause an exothermic reaction therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuo Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 5966582
    Abstract: A method for extruding a stiffer powder mixture at lower extrusion pressure involves providing an aqueous mixture of inorganic powder that can be metal, ceramic, glass, glass ceramic, molecular sieve, and/or carbon, fatty acid the main chain of which has at least 12 carbon atoms, thermally gellable cellulose ether binder, and wax that can be paraffin and/or propylene glycol hydroxystearate, wherein the powder is coated with the fatty acid component. If clay is included in the mixture, it is provided as either calcined or hydrous. The mixture is passed through an extruder and through an extrusion die to produce a green extrudate at an extrusion pressure that is equal to or lower than it would be absent the combination of the fatty acid, the cellulose ether binder, and the wax. The mixture in the extruder and the extrudate are stiffer than without this combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Devi Chalasani, Ronald E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5963775
    Abstract: A milled tooth shaped rotary cone drill bit for drilling oil wells and the like manufactured using a powder metallurgy process in which an alloy powder is pressure molded into the desired bit shape, sintered, and precision machined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Zhigang Fang