Patents Assigned to Apex Advanced Technologies, LLC
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Patent number: 9248500Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 4, 2009Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: APEX ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Dennis L. Hammond, Richard Phillips
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Patent number: 8062582Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 2, 2006Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLCInventors: Dennis L. Hammond, Richard Phillips
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Patent number: 7892314Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 26, 2005Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLCInventor: Dennis L Hammond
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Publication number: 20100028194Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2009Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: APEX ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Dennis L. Hammond, Richard Phillips
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Publication number: 20090162236Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2006Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: APEX ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Dennis L. Hammond, Richard Phillips
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Publication number: 20090028742Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2007Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: APEX ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventor: Dennis L. Hammond
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Patent number: 7264646Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 26, 2004Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLCInventor: Dennis L. Hammond
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Publication number: 20070077164Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2005Publication date: April 5, 2007Applicant: APEX ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Dennis Hammond, Richard Phillips
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Patent number: 7192464Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 1, 2004Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLCInventor: Dennis L. Hammond
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Publication number: 20070048166Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2005Publication date: March 1, 2007Applicant: APEX ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Dennis Hammond
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Patent number: 7183242Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 24, 2003Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLCInventor: Dennis L. Hammond
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Publication number: 20050044988Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2004Publication date: March 3, 2005Applicant: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLCInventor: Dennis Hammond
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Patent number: 6846862Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 22, 2001Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLCInventors: Karl-Heinz Schofalvi, Dennis Lee Hammond, Warren Henry Philipp
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Publication number: 20040175286Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2004Publication date: September 9, 2004Applicant: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLCInventor: Dennis L. Hammond
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Publication number: 20040077508Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Applicant: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLCInventor: Dennis L. Hammond
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Patent number: 6679935Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 12, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLCInventor: Dennis L. Hammond
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Patent number: 6376585Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 26, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Apex Advanced Technologies, LLCInventors: Karl-Heinz Schofalvi, Dennis Lee Hammond, Warren Henry Phillip