Patents Assigned to Apex Advanced Technologies, LLC
  • Patent number: 9248500
    Abstract: A method for protecting powder metallurgy alloy elements from oxidation and/or hydrolyzation during sintering. The method includes (1) coating the admixed alloy elements in an inert (e.g., nitrogen) atmosphere with a hydrophobic lubricant that is capable of becoming mobile during pressing, the amount of lubricant being at least 45% of the total volume of all components to be added to the base metal powder; (2) mixing the lubricant-coated admixed alloy elements with the base metal powder to form a mixture; (3) pressing the mixture to form a pre-sintered part having a green density that is from about 95% to about 98% of a calculated pore-free density; and (4) sintering the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: APEX ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis L. Hammond, Richard Phillips
  • Patent number: 8062582
    Abstract: The present invention provides metal powder compositions for pressed powder metallurgy and methods of forming metal parts using the metal powder compositions. In each embodiment of the invention, the outer surface of primary metal particles in the metal powder composition is chemically cleaned to remove oxides in situ, which provides ideal conditions for achieving near full density metal parts when the metal powder compositions are sintered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis L. Hammond, Richard Phillips
  • Patent number: 7892314
    Abstract: The present invention provides powder metal compositions and methods of making and using the same. Powder metal compositions according to the invention include base metal particles, a lubricant that transforms from a solid phase material to a viscous, liquid phase material during pressing, and a micronized deformable solid material. The micronized deformable solid material fills at least a portion of the void space between the base metal particles during pressing, which allows at least a portion of the lubricant to migrate as a viscous liquid phase material to the interface between the surface of the green compact and the wall of the mold cavity to provide lubrication that reduces the ejection force necessary to remove the green compact from the mold cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis L Hammond
  • Publication number: 20100028194
    Abstract: A method for protecting powder metallurgy alloy elements from oxidation and/or hydrolyzation during sintering. The method includes (1) coating the admixed alloy elements in an inert (e.g., nitrogen) atmosphere with a hydrophobic lubricant that is capable of becoming mobile during pressing, the amount of lubricant being at least 45% of the total volume of all components to be added to the base metal powder; (2) mixing the lubricant-coated admixed alloy elements with the base metal powder to form a mixture; (3) pressing the mixture to form a pre-sintered part having a green density that is from about 95% to about 98% of a calculated pore-free density; and (4) sintering the part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: APEX ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis L. Hammond, Richard Phillips
  • Publication number: 20090162236
    Abstract: The present invention provides metal powder compositions for pressed powder metallurgy and methods of forming metal parts using the metal powder compositions. In each embodiment of the invention, the outer surface of primary metal particles in the metal powder composition is chemically cleaned to remove oxides in situ, which provides ideal conditions for achieving near full density metal parts when the metal powder compositions are sintered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: APEX ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis L. Hammond, Richard Phillips
  • Publication number: 20090028742
    Abstract: The present invention provides powder metal compositions and methods of making and using the same. Powder metal compositions according to the invention are substantially dry and include a blend of base metal particles and a pressing aid. The pressing aid includes a micronized deformable solid material and a high melt point lubricating material, which have been pre-mixed or co-ground with each other. Powder metal compositions according to the present invention are particularly useful in applications where the pre-sintered density of the pressed metal part is less than or equal to about 6.9 g/cm3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: APEX ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Dennis L. Hammond
  • Patent number: 7264646
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lubricant system in the pressing of powders to form a part. The lubricant system is a solid at ambient conditions. However, upon application of pressure during the pressing of the metal parts, the lubricant system forms a liquid phase along the walls of cavity in which the powder is being pressed. The lubricant system may also be used in connection with a polar powder thereby providing certain beneficial results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis L. Hammond
  • Publication number: 20070077164
    Abstract: The present invention provides metal powder compositions for pressed powder metallurgy and methods of forming metal parts using the metal powder compositions. In one embodiment, the metal powder composition according to the invention includes a blend of primary metal particles, one or more liquid phase forming materials or precursors thereof, a lubricant and an organic acid that is capable of reacting with an oxide of a metal in the primary metal particles to form an organic metal salt that decomposes when the metal powder composition is sintered under reducing or non-oxidizing conditions. During a “delubing” step, the organic acid reacts with an oxide of a metal in the primary metal particles to form an organic metal salt that decomposes into a base metal or a metal-carbide during sintering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: APEX ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis Hammond, Richard Phillips
  • Patent number: 7192464
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for use in pressed powder metallurgy. The composition includes a plurality of substantially dry, discrete agglomerates, a portion of which include a first metal particle adhered to a second metal particle by a binder that includes a polysaccharide. The composition can be used to form green compacts that exhibit excellent green strength and high density. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of the composition, a method of forming a metal part using the composition and metal parts formed according to the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis L. Hammond
  • Publication number: 20070048166
    Abstract: The present invention provides powder metal compositions and methods of making and using the same. Powder metal compositions according to the invention include base metal particles, a lubricant that transforms from a solid phase material to a viscous, liquid phase material during pressing, and a micronized deformable solid material. The micronized deformable solid material fills at least a portion of the void space between the base metal particles during pressing, which allows at least a portion of the lubricant to migrate as a viscous liquid phase material to the interface between the surface of the green compact and the wall of the mold cavity to provide lubrication that reduces the ejection force necessary to remove the green compact from the mold cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: APEX ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis Hammond
  • Patent number: 7183242
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lubricant system in the pressing of powders to form a part. The lubricant system is a solid at ambient conditions. However, upon application of pressure during the pressing of the metal parts, the lubricant system forms a liquid phase along the walls of cavity in which the powder is being pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis L. Hammond
  • Publication number: 20050044988
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for use in pressed powder metallurgy. The composition includes a plurality of substantially dry, discrete agglomerates, a portion of which include a first metal particle adhered to a second metal particle by a binder that includes a polysaccharide. The composition can be used to form green compacts that exhibit excellent green strength and high density. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of the composition, a method of forming a metal part using the composition and metal parts formed according to the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Applicant: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis Hammond
  • Patent number: 6846862
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a binder composition comprising an aliphatic polyester polymer: an ethylenebisamide wax; and a guanidine wetting agent. The composition may also contain an additive which accelerates or extends debinding of the binder composition, and to a method for forming a sintered part by powder injection molding, including the steps of forming a green composition comprising a binder and an inorganic powder, wherein the binder is a composition comprising an aliphatic polyester polymer, an ethylenebisamide wax, and a guanidine wetting agent, and may further include an additive which accelerates or delays completion of debinding of the binder; melting the composition; injecting the composition into a mold for a part; heating the part to a temperature at which the binder decomposes; heating the part to a temperature at which the inorganic powder is sintered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Schofalvi, Dennis Lee Hammond, Warren Henry Philipp
  • Publication number: 20040175286
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lubricant system in the pressing of powders to form a part. The lubricant system is a solid at ambient conditions. However, upon application of pressure during the pressing of the metal parts, the lubricant system forms a liquid phase along the walls of cavity in which the powder is being pressed. The lubricant system may also be used in connection with a polar powder thereby providing certain beneficial results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis L. Hammond
  • Publication number: 20040077508
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lubricant system in the pressing of powders to form a part. The lubricant system is a solid at ambient conditions. However, upon application of pressure during the pressing of the metal parts, the lubricant system forms a liquid phase along the walls of cavity in which the powder is being pressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis L. Hammond
  • Patent number: 6679935
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lubricant system in the pressing of powders to form a part. The lubricant system is a solid at ambient conditions. However, upon application of pressure during the pressing of the metal parts, the lubricant system forms a liquid phase along the walls of cavity in which the powder is being pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis L. Hammond
  • Patent number: 6376585
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a binder composition comprising a polycarbonate polymer; an ethylenebisamide wax; a guanidine wetting agent, and an additive which accelerates or delays completion of debinding of the binder composition. The present invention further relates to a method for forming a sintered part by powder injection molding, including the steps of forming a green composition comprising a binder and an inorganic powder, wherein binder is a composition comprising a polycarbonate polymer, an ethylenebisamide wax, a guanidine wetting agent and an additive which accelerates or delays completion of debinding of the binder; melting the composition; injecting the composition into a mold for a part; heating the part to a temperature at which the binder decomposes; heating the part to a temperature at which the inorganic powder is sintered. The binder composition of the present invention is useful for press and sinter applications as well as for powder injection molding applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Schofalvi, Dennis Lee Hammond, Warren Henry Phillip