Abstract: A titanium alloy containing copper, which cannot be realized by a conventional method, is provided, having a composition in which copper is contained in titanium with no segregation, and having improved strength and hardness. In addition a method is also provided, in which the titanium alloy is produced at lower cost than in a conventional method. The ?+? or ? titanium alloy contains copper at 1 to 10 mass %, has a crystal phase of ? and ? phase or of ? phase, is formed of crystal particles not more than 100 ?m, and has a copper concentration per an arbitrary specified 1 mm3 portion of the crystal phase at within ±40% compared to another arbitrary specified portion. The ?+? or ? titanium alloy is produced by mixing 1 to 10 mass % of copper powder and the remainder of titanium alloy powder and then pressing and forming while being heated.

Abstract: A method of producing composites of micro-engineered, coated particulates embedded in a matrix of metal, ceramic powders, or combinations thereof, capable of being tailored to exhibit application-specific desired thermal, physical and mechanical properties to form substitute materials for nickel, titanium, rhenium, magnesium, aluminum, graphite epoxy, and beryllium. The particulates are solid and/or hollow and may be coated with one or more layers of deposited materials before being combined within a substrate of powder metal, ceramic or some combination thereof which also may be coated. The combined micro-engineered nano design powder is consolidated using novel solid-state processes that prevent melting of the matrix and which involve the application of varying pressures to control the formation of the microstructure and resultant mechanical properties.

Abstract: An automotive engine component and method of producing the same. The method uses dynamic magnetic compaction to form components, such as camshaft lobes, with non-axisymmetric and related irregular shapes. A die is used that has an interior profile that is substantially similar to the non-axisymmetric exterior of the component to be formed such that first and second materials can be placed into the die prior to compaction. The first material is in powder form and can be placed in the die to make up a first portion of the component being formed, while a second material can be placed in the die to make up a second portion of the component. The second material, which may possess different tribological properties from those of the first material, can be arranged in the die so that upon formation, at least a portion of the component's non-axisymmetric exterior profile is shaped by or includes the second material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a metal-graphite composite material favorable to two-dimensional diffusion of heat and having a high thermal conductivity in two axial directions, and a production method therefor. The metal-graphite composite material of the present invention includes: 20 to 80% by volume of a scaly graphite powder; and a matrix selected from the group consisting of copper, aluminum and alloys thereof, wherein the scaly graphite powder in which a normal vector to a scaly surface thereof is tilted at 20° or higher with respect to a normal vector to a readily heat-conducting surface of the metal-graphite composite material is 15% or less relative to a whole amount of the scaly graphite powder, and the metal-graphite composite material has a relative density of 95% or higher.

Abstract: A sintering method with uniaxial pressing includes: a powder filling step of disposing a spent target in an inner space of a frame jig having the inner space piercing in a uniaxial direction, and filling the inner space with a raw material powder for a target to cover an erosion part side of the spent target with the raw material powder for a target, a cushioning-material disposition step of disposing a deformable cushioning material so that the raw material powder for a target with which the inner space has been filled in the powder filling step is sandwiched between the spent target and the deformable cushioning material; and a sintering step of pressing the raw material powder for a target with which the inner space has been filled and the spent target in the uniaxial direction through the cushioning material and sintering them.

Abstract: A preparing method of a glass substrate film sputtering target is disclosed, which comprises the following steps of: weighing an alloy material for forming the glass substrate film sputtering target; adding the alloy material weighed into a plasma pressure compaction sintering cavity and sintering the alloy material to obtain a sintered target, wherein the sintering temperature is 500° C.˜1600° C. and the sintering time is 5˜20 minutes; and post-processing the sintered target. A glass substrate film sputtering target prepared by the preparing method is further disclosed. Because the plasma pressure compaction for quick sintering is adopted for the glass substrate film sputtering target and the preparing method thereof of the present disclosure, quality of the target can be improved and the time necessary for preparing the target can be shortened.

Abstract: The invention provides a polycrystal magnesium oxide (MgO) sintered body which is capable of having a sintered density close to a theoretical density thereof. The MgO sintered body exhibits excellent mechanical properties and heat conductivity, while reducing contamination of an atmosphere due to gas generation. The invention also provides a production method for the sintered body. The polycrystal MgO sintered body has a unique crystalline anisotropy in which (111) faces are oriented along a surface applied with a uniaxial pressure at a high rate. The polycrystalline MgO sintered body is obtained by a method which includes the steps of: sintering an MgO raw material powder, having a particle size of 1 ?m or less, under a uniaxial pressure and then subjecting the sintered powder to a heat treatment under an atmosphere containing 0.05 volume % or more of oxygen, at a temperature of 1273 K or more for 1 minute or more.

Abstract: A process for forming a thermoelectric component having optimum properties is provided. The process includes providing a plurality of core-shell nanoparticles, the nanoparticles having a core made from silica, metals, semiconductors, insulators, ceramics, carbon, polymers, combinations thereof, and the like, and a shell containing bismuth telluride. After the core-shell nanoparticles have been provided, the nanoparticles are subjected to a sintering process. The result of the sintering provides a bismuth telluride thermoelectric component having a combined electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient squared of greater than 30,000 ?V2S/mK2 at 150° C.

Abstract: A method of forming a sintered nickel-titanium-rare earth (Ni—Ti-RE) alloy includes adding one or more powders comprising Ni, Ti, and a rare earth constituent to a powder consolidation unit comprising an electrically conductive die and punch connectable to a power supply. The one or more powders are heated at a ramp rate of about 35° C./min or less to a sintering temperature, and pressure is applied to the powders at the sintering temperature, thereby forming a sintered Ni—Ti-RE alloy.

Abstract: A sputter target material which is of a sintered material, wherein the sputter target material consists of 0.5 to 50 atomic % in total of at least one metal element (M) selected from the group of Ti, Zr, V, Nb and Cr, and the balance of Mo and unavoidable impurities, and has a microstructure seen at a perpendicular cross section to a sputtering surface, in which microstructure oxide particles exist near a boundary of each island of the metal element (M), and wherein the maximum area of the island, which is defined by connecting the oxide particles with linear lines so as to form a closed zone, is not more than 1.0 mm2.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing high strength aluminum alloys from a powder containing Ll2 intermetallic dispersoids. The powder is degassed, sealed under vacuum in a container, consolidated by vacuum hot pressing, extruded into a rolling preform and rolled into a usable part.

Abstract: Methods are generally provided for forming a conductive oxide layer on a substrate. In one particular embodiment, the method can include sputtering a transparent conductive oxide layer (e.g., including cadmium stannate) on a substrate from a target in a sputtering atmosphere comprising cadmium. The transparent conductive oxide layer can be sputtered at a sputtering temperature greater of about 100° C. to about 600° C. Methods are also generally provided for manufacturing a cadmium telluride based thin film photovoltaic device.

Abstract: Diamond-bonded constructions include a diamond-bonded body having a thermally stable region extending a distance below a diamond-bonded body surface. The thermally stable region comprises a matrix phase of bonded-together diamond crystals, and interstitial regions comprising a reaction product. The reaction product is formed by reaction between the diamond crystals and a reactive material. The reactant is a carbide former and the reaction product is a carbide. The diamond-bonded body includes a further diamond region extending from the thermally stable region that comprises the matrix phase and a Group VIII metal disposed within interstitial regions of the matrix phase. The thermally stable region is substantially free of a catalyst material used to initially form the diamond-bonded body. The diamond-bonded body may include a material layer formed from the reaction product that is disposed on a surface of the diamond-bonded body thermally stable region.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cobalt (Co) alloy-based ceramic composite sputtering target is provided. A cobalt ingot and a chromium (Cr) ingot are melted in vacuum and then nebulized to form a cobalt-chromium (CoCr) alloy powder. Additionally, a ceramic powder and a platinum powder are wetly mixed to form a platinum-ceramic (Pt-ceramic) slurry, in which the ceramic powder is applied onto the platinum powder's surface uniformly. Next, the CoCr alloy powder and the Pt-ceramic slurry are wetly mixed to form a CoCrPt-ceramic slurry. Thereafter, the CoCrPt-ceramic slurry is dried, molded and compressed to form the cobalt alloy-based ceramic composite sputtering target. The resulted cobalt alloy-based ceramic composite sputtering target, which has a fine and dense structure, uniform composition and lower magnetic permeability, is beneficial to a magnetron sputter deposition process, as well as a film sputtering process used in the magnetic recording industry.

Abstract: A method of making a selectively corrodible article is disclosed. The method includes forming a powder comprising a plurality of metallic powder particles, each metallic powder particle comprising a nanoscale metallic coating layer disposed on a particle core. The method also includes forming a powder compact of the powder particles, wherein the powder particles are substantially elongated in a predetermined direction to form substantially elongated powder particles. In one embodiment, forming the powder compact includes compacting the powder particles into a billet, and forming the billet to provide the powder compact of the powder particles, wherein the powder particles are substantially elongated in a predetermined direction to form substantially elongated powder particles.

Abstract: A method for preparing metal-matrix composites including cold-process isostatic compaction of previously mixed powders and hot-process uniaxial pressing of the resulting compact is disclosed. The method enables metal-matrix composites with improved properties to be obtained. A device for implementing isostatic compaction comprising a latex sheath into which the mixture of powders is poured, a perforated cylindrical container in which the latex sheath is arranged, and means for sealed insulation of the mixture of powders contained in the sheath is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to nanocomposite thermoelectric materials that exhibit enhanced thermoelectric properties. The nanocomposite materials include two or more components, with at least one of the components forming nano-sized structures within the composite material. The components are chosen such that thermal conductivity of the composite is decreased without substantially diminishing the composite's electrical conductivity. Suitable component materials exhibit similar electronic band structures. For example, a band-edge gap between at least one of a conduction band or a valence band of one component material and a corresponding band of the other component material at interfaces between the components can be less than about 5kBT, wherein kB is the Boltzman constant and T is an average temperature of said nanocomposite composition.

Abstract: An oxide target for laser vapor deposition, which is used when an oxide film is formed in a laser vapor deposition system, including: a fixed plate, an Ag-soldering layer bonded onto the fixed plate, an oxide-Ag mixed layer bonded onto the Ag-soldering layer; and an oxide layer bonded onto the oxide-Ag mixed layer.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing sputtering target assemblies and assemblies thereof are provided, particularly targets made of powders. Powders are adhered to a backing plate by use of a vacuum hot press, the powder preferably contacted by non-planar surfaces, and is compressed with at least about 95% density and substantially simultaneously diffusion-bonded to the backing plate.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal article according to one embodiment may include: Providing a supply of a sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder; compacting the sodium/molybdenum composite metal powder under sufficient pressure to form a preformed article; placing the preformed article in a sealed container; raising the temperature of the sealed container to a temperature that is lower than a sintering temperature of molybdenum; and subjecting the sealed container to an isostatic pressure for a time sufficient to increase the density of the article to at least about 90% of theoretical density.

Abstract: Provided is an iron silicide sputtering target in which the oxygen as the gas component in the target is 1000 ppm or less, and a manufacturing method of such iron silicide sputtering target including the steps of melting/casting high purity iron and silicon under high vacuum to prepare an alloy ingot, subjecting the ingot to gas atomization with inert gas to prepare fine powder, and thereafter sintering the fine powder. With this iron silicide sputtering target, the amount of impurities will be reduced, the thickness of the ?FeSi2 film during deposition can be made thick, the generation of particles will be reduced, a uniform and homogenous film composition can be yielded, and the sputtering characteristics will be favorable. The foregoing manufacturing method is able to stably produce this target.

Abstract: A method of forming a sputtering target and other metal articles having controlled oxygen and nitrogen content levels and the articles so formed are described. The method includes surface-nitriding a deoxidized metal powder and further includes consolidating the powder by a powder metallurgy technique. Preferred metal powders include, but are not limited to, valve metals, including tantalum, niobium, and alloys thereof.

Abstract: Provided is iron silicide powder in which the content of oxygen as the gas component is 1500 ppm or less, and a method of manufacturing such iron silicide powder including the steps of reducing iron oxide with hydrogen to prepare iron powder, heating the iron powder and Si powder in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to prepare synthetic powder containing FeSi as its primary component, and adding and mixing Si powder once again thereto and heating this in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to prepare iron silicide powder containing FeSi2 as its primary component. The content of oxygen as the gas component contained in the iron silicide powder will decrease, and the iron silicide powder can be easily pulverized as a result thereof. Thus, the mixture of impurities when the pulverization is unsatisfactory will be reduced, the specific surface area of the iron silicide powder will increase, and the density can be enhanced upon sintering the iron silicide powder.

Abstract: A rapidly solidified Fe—Ga alloy containing 15 to 23 atomic percent of Ga having a particular rapidly solidified texture is formed into slices which are laminated to each other in a die, or is formed into a powder or chops which are filled in the die. Subsequently, spark plasma sintering is performed so that bonds between the slices, grains of the powder, or the chops are formed at a high density to form a bulk alloy and the rapidly solidified texture is not lost, followed by annealing whenever necessary, so that a magnetostriction of 170 to 230 ppm at room temperature is obtained.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a cartridge assembly for connection to the frame of a high-pressure, high-temperature press comprises a front end comprising a back-up intermediate and coaxial with an anvil and a piston, the anvil comprising a proximal end in contact with the back-up and a distal end that forms part of a pressurized chamber within the frame, the back-up comprising a proximal end comprising a first diameter proximate an interface with a distal end of the piston, and a distal end comprising a second diameter proximate an interface with the proximal end of the anvil, the back-up comprising one or more circumferential reliefs disposed on the first diameter.

Abstract: In a method for producing a sintered compact, a composition containing metal powder and an organic binder is formed into a given shape. When baking is performed by using a baking furnace inside of which a jig containing silica is provided, a furnace atmosphere of the baking furnace is set to be an atmosphere of inert gas, a furnace pressure is controlled to be 0.1 kPa or more but 100 kPa or less, and the furnace pressure during baking is increased at a time when the process is in the middle of heating-up.

Abstract: A sintering method with uniaxial pressing includes: a powder filling step of disposing a spent target in an inner space of a frame jig having the inner space piercing in a uniaxial direction, and filling the inner space with a raw material powder for a target to cover an erosion part side of the spent target with the raw material powder for a target, a cushioning-material disposition step of disposing a deformable cushioning material so that the raw material powder for a target with which the inner space has been filled in the powder filling step is sandwiched between the spent target and the deformable cushioning material; and a sintering step of pressing the raw material powder for a target with which the inner space has been filled and the spent target in the uniaxial direction through the cushioning material and sintering them.

Abstract: An iron silicide sputtering target in which the oxygen as a gas component in the target is 1000 ppm or less and a method of manufacturing such an iron silicide sputtering target are provided. The method includes the steps of melting/casting high purity iron and silicon under high vacuum to prepare an alloy ingot, subjecting the ingot to gas atomization with inert gas to prepare fine powder, and thereafter sintering the fine powder. The amount of impurities in the target will be reduced, the thickness of a ?FeSi2 film during deposition can be made thick, the generation of particles will be reduced, a uniform and homogenous film composition can be yielded, and the sputtering characteristics will be favorable. The foregoing manufacturing method is able to stably produce the target.

Abstract: A method for producing a workpiece, particularly a shaping tool or a part of a shaping tool, includes the following steps: providing a heat-resistant mold (2) with a first molded part (2a) and at least a second molded part (2b) in a chamber that can be evacuated (1); filling a metal-containing material into the heat-resistant mold (2); producing a vacuum in the chamber that can be evacuated (1); heating the metal-containing material; compressing the heated metal-containing material in the heat-resistant mold (2) by hot pressing under vacuum conditions. The present invention further relates to a device for producing a workpiece, particularly a shaping tool or a part of a shaping tool.

Abstract: A thermoelectric nano-composite including a thermoelectric matrix; a nano-metal particle; and a nano-thermoelectric material represented by Formula 1: AxMyBz??Formula 1 wherein A includes at least one element of indium, bismuth, or antimony, B includes at least one element of tellurium or selenium (Se), M includes at least one element of gallium, thallium, lead, rubidium, sodium, or lithium, x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to about 4, y is greater than 0 and less than or equal to about 4, and z is greater than 0 and less than or equal to about 3.

Abstract: A carrier material to be used as a placeholder for structuring workpieces having at least one vacuity is disclosed, said carrier material comprising a corrodible material, the corrodible material being a mixture or an alloy of magnesium and at least one additional metal component, the standard electrode potential of which is larger than that of magnesium under reaction conditions, wherein the material was compacted by a mechanically stressing method.

Abstract: A wear part is formed of a diamond-containing composite material with 40 to 90% by volume of diamond grains, 0.001 to 12% by volume of carbidic phase, formed from one or more elements from the group Si, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, B, Sc, Y and lanthanides and 7 to 49% by volume of a metallic or intermetallic alloy with a liquidus temperature<1400° C., the metallic or intermetallic alloy containing the carbide-forming element or elements in dissolved or precipitated form and having a hardness at room temperature>250 HV.

Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a process for refurbishing a spent sputtering target. The process includes the step of applying sufficient heat and axial force to the filled sputtering target to hot press the filled sputtering target such that the powdered metal fuses with the un-sputtered metal, producing a refurbished target. The process may be used to refurbish precious metal targets, such as ruthenium targets.

Abstract: An article made of constituent elements is prepared by furnishing at least one nonmetallic precursor compound, wherein all of the nonmetallic precursor compounds collectively contain the constituent elements. The constituent elements include a titanium-base metallic composition, boron present at a level greater than its room-temperature solid solubility limit, and, optionally, a stable-oxide-forming additive element present at a level greater than its room-temperature solid solubility limit. The precursor compounds are chemically reduced to produce a material comprising a titanium-base metallic composition having titanium boride particles therein, without melting the titanium-base metallic composition. The titanium-base metallic composition having the titanium boride particles therein is consolidated without melting.

Abstract: A cylindrical metal part is formed by filling a metallic jacket with a powdered metal material and subjecting the metallic jacket to heat and pressure to cause the powdered metal material to form a unitary metal part. The small grain size of the metal material forming the unitary metal part will then allow for ultrasonic testing to be performed to detect voids and imperfections having very small dimensions. The ultrasonic testing can be performed through the metallic jacket, or after the metallic jacket has been removed from the unitary metal part. Additional forging steps may be performed to form shaped protrusions on the exterior of the metal part.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head includes a pressure chamber forming step of forming at least one of recess sections and through holes corresponding at least to the pressure chambers, in a plurality of calcined bodies obtained by calcining a plurality of ceramic green sheets; a piezoelectric body forming step of forming a plurality of films of piezoelectric bodies which constitute the piezoelectric elements by means of an aerosol deposition method, onto the calcined body corresponding to the diaphragm, of the plurality of calcined bodies; a laminating step of forming glass layers onto surfaces of the calcined bodies and arranging the calcined bodies to overlap each other; and a heating step of heating the arranged calcined bodies to a prescribed temperature, and simultaneously performing glass bonding of the calcined bodies and annealing of the piezoelectric bodies.

Abstract: A gear wheel includes multiple helical toothings, each having a different helical angle. A pressing method for molding a gear wheel involves introducing a compactable material into a chamber of a pressing tool, compacting the material, exposing the helical toothings of the gear wheel, and removing the molded body from the pressing tool. A pressing tool for pressing, as one part, a gear wheel, includes a matrix, cylindrical first and second molding tool parts which can be translated along and then rotated about a longitudinal axis, and a driver coupled to the molding tool parts or driving them. The molding tool parts can be moved towards and away from each other and the inner surface of the matrix delimits the chamber and is shaped to allow a linear axial sliding movement of the compactable material relative to the matrix.

Abstract: A gas operated part forming die apparatus has compact high tonnage presses which are operated by high pressure gas generated within chambers and controlled to operate high pressure pistons and dies for compressing particulate material into dense formed parts. Combustion chambers are filled with pressurized mixtures of combustible gases and diluents. Elongated chambers have insulating walls and spaced electrodes. Some contain liquid or particulate ablatable materials or ablatable liners. Others extend fuzes between the electrodes and are filled with pressurized gases. Gas is removed from the particulate material. Die cavities may be precompressed during filing of chambers with pressurized gas. Igniting the combustible gases or creating arcs between the electrodes produces rapidly expanding high pressure resultant gases for driving pistons and movable dies and rapidly compressing die cavities. Pressures in the chambers are contained, or pistons are restrained until releasing and driving the pistons.

Abstract: Provided is iron silicide powder in which the content of oxygen as the gas component is 1500 ppm or less, and a method of manufacturing such iron silicide powder including the steps of reducing iron oxide with hydrogen to prepare iron powder, heating the iron powder and Si powder in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to prepare synthetic powder containing FeSi as its primary component, and adding and mixing Si powder once again thereto and heating this in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to prepare iron silicide powder containing FeSi2 as its primary component. The content of oxygen as the gas component contained in the iron silicide powder will decrease, and the iron silicide powder can be easily pulverized as a result thereof. Thus, the mixture of impurities when the pulverization is unsatisfactory will be reduced, the specific surface area of the iron silicide powder will increase, and the density can be enhanced upon sintering the iron silicide powder.

Abstract: A sputtering target for optical media is mainly composed of Al and contains 1 to 10 at % of one or two species of elements selected from the group consisting of Ta and Nb and 0.1 to 10 at % of Ag. An optical medium 100 comprises a substrate 10 and reflective layers 20A, 20B provided on the substrate 10. Each of the reflective layers 20A, 20B has a composition, mainly composed of Al, containing 1 to 10 at % of one or two species of elements selected from the group consisting of Ta and Nb and 0.1 to 10 at % of Ag.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle transmission with fluid pump having a recirculation circuit. The recirculation circuit is configured to direct fluid from an outlet of the pump to an inlet during pump cycling. A method of manufacturing a fluid pump for use in a vehicle transmission is also disclosed.

Abstract: A metallic article made of metallic constituent elements is fabricated from a mixture of nonmetallic precursor compounds of the metallic constituent elements. The mixture of nonmetallic precursor compounds is chemically reduced to produce an initial metallic material, without melting the initial metallic material. The initial metallic material is consolidated to produce a consolidated metallic article, without melting the initial metallic material and without melting the consolidated metallic article.

Abstract: Provided are a composite wear-resistant member which can be manufactured with a lowered sintering temperature, and thus can prevent the carbonization of a material around super hard particles such as diamond; and a method for manufacturing the member. The member, characterized in that it comprises hard particles comprising diamond particles and WC particles and an iron group metal containing phosphorus as a binding material, wherein the content of phosphorus is 0.01 to 2.0 wt % relative to the total weight of the WC particles and the binding material.

Abstract: A method of forming a sputtering target and other metal articles having controlled oxygen and nitrogen content levels and the articles so formed are described. The method includes surface-nitriding a deoxidized metal powder and further includes consolidating the powder by a powder metallurgy technique. Preferred metal powders include, but are not limited to, valve metals, including tantalum, niobium, and alloys thereof.

Abstract: A method for preparing highly dense functional oxides with crystallite size in the range of 10-20 nm. Using a high pressure modification of a the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) technique, rapid thermal cycles (<10 min) coupled with very rapid pressure increase up to 1 GPa can be obtained allowing high degree of compaction and very limited grain growth. This combination of techniques was employed to produce the finest-grained ceramics ever prepared in bulk form in the case of fully stabilized zirconia and Sm-doped Ceria.

Abstract: The method is suitable for the manufacture of flat or shaped titanium aluminide articles and layered metal matrix composites such as lightweight plates and sheets for aircraft and automotive applications, thin cross-section vanes and blades, composite electrodes, heat-sinking lightweight electronic substrates, bulletproof structures for vests, partition walls and doors, as well as for sporting goods such as helmets, golf clubs, sole plates, crown plates, etc.

Abstract: The present invention includes consolidated hard materials, methods for producing them, and industrial drilling and cutting applications for them. A consolidated hard material may be produced using hard particles such as B4C or carbides or borides of W, Ti, Mo, Nb, V, Hf, Ta, Zr, and Cr in combination with an iron-based, nickel-based, nickel and iron-based, iron and cobalt-based, aluminum-based, copper-based, magnesium-based, or titanium-based alloy for the binder material. Commercially pure elements such as aluminum, copper, magnesium, titanium, iron, or nickel may also be used for the binder material. The mixture of the hard particles and the binder material may be consolidated at a temperature below the liquidus temperature of the binder material using a technique such as rapid omnidirectional compaction (ROC), the CERACON™ process, or hot ecstatic pressing (HIP). After sintering, the consolidated hard material may be treated to alter its material properties.

Abstract: A high-strength and highly-wear-resistant sintered diamond object according to the present invention includes sintered diamond particle having an average particle size of not larger than 2 ?m and a binder phase as a remaining portion. The content of the sintered diamond particle in the sintered diamond object is not smaller than 80 volume % and not larger than 98 volume %. The binder phase contains at least one element selected from the group consisting of titanium and the like, of which content is not smaller than 0.5 mass % and less than 50 mass %, and contains cobalt, of which content is not smaller than 50 mass % and less than 99.5 mass %. A part of the element or the element as a whole is present as carbide particle having an average particle size of not larger than 0.8 ?m. A texture of the carbide particle is discontinuous, and adjacent diamond particles are bound to each other.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a cartridge assembly is adapted for connection to a frame of a high pressure, high temperature press having a front end with a back up intermediate and coaxial with an anvil and a piston. The back up has an anterior end proximate the anvil and posterior end proximate the piston. The cartridge assembly has a hydraulic system adapted to apply axial pressure to the back-up through the piston to axially move the front end with respect to a cartridge body. The assembly also has a centralizing assembly with a rod rigidly attached to the cartridge body at a first end and a second end adapted to slide within a peripheral bore formed in the front end.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a cartridge assembly is adapted for connection to a frame of a high pressure, high temperature press having a front end with a back up intermediate and coaxial with an anvil and a piston. The back up has an anterior end proximate the anvil and posterior end proximate the piston. The cartridge assembly has a hydraulic system adapted to apply axial pressure to the back-up through the piston to axially move the front end with respect to a cartridge body. The assembly also has a centralizing assembly with a rod rigidly attached to the cartridge body at a first end and a second end adapted to slide within a peripheral bore formed in the front end.