Abstract: Objects comprising Al-7.5 Mg particulate having pressure consolidated nanocrystalline coating material are formed. Oxides of the coating material, in particulate form, may become dispersed in the pressure consolidated, thereby increasing its strength.

Abstract: Objects comprising carbide particulate having pressure consolidated nanocrystalline coating material are formed. Oxides of the coating material, in particulate form, may become dispersed in the pressure consolidated object, thereby increasing its strength.

Abstract: A method of consolidating metal powder to form an object that includes pressing the powder into a preform, and preheating the preform to elevated temperature; providing flowable pressure transmitting particles and transmitting microwaves into the particles to heat same, and providing a bed of the flowable and heated pressure transmitting particles; positioning the preform in such relation to the bed that the particles substantially encompass the perform; and pressurizing the bed to compress the particles and cause pressure transmission to the preform, thereby to consolidate the preform into a desired object shape, the powder of step a) consisting essentially of at least two of the following: W, Ni, Fe, Co, manganese and titanium, and preferably at least three of same.

Abstract: A method of consolidating metal powder to form an object, includes: a) pressing the powder into a preform, and preheating the preform to elevated temperature, b) providing flowable pressure transmitting particles and transmitting microwaves into the particles to heat same, and providing a bed of the flowable and heated pressure transmitting particles, c) positioning the preform in such relation to the bed that the particles substantially encompass the preform, d) and pressurizing the bed to compress said particles and cause pressure transmission to the preform, thereby to consolidate the preform into a desired object shape.

Abstract: A process of consolidating tantalum metal powder to essentially random texture, and the product thereby produced.

Abstract: A process of consolidating tantalum metal powder to essentially random texture by pressing a preform in a bed of flowable pressure transmitting particles, and the product thereby produced.

Abstract: The method of consolidating a powder material to form a composite part includes forming a pattern which is a scaled-up version of the part to be formed; employing the pattern to produce a flexible mold with interior conformation matching the pattern exterior; introducing a previously formed shape, insert or body into the mold; introducing consolidatable powder material into the mold; compacting the mold to thereby compress the powder and previously formed shape into a preform which is to be consolidated; separating the preform from the mold; providing a bed of pressure transmission particles, and positioning the preform in the bed; and compacting the preform in the bed of particles by transmission of pressure to the preform via the bed, to thereby consolidate the preform into a dense, desired shape part.

Abstract: The method of producing a superconducting product includes:(a) providing a pressed-powder preform consisting essentially of YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.7-x where 0.0<x<0.5,(b) pre-heating the preform to elevated temperature,(c) providing a grain bed and embedding the heated preform in that bed,(d) and consolidating the preform of at least about 95% of theoretical density by application of pressure to the grain bed, thereby to form the product.

Abstract: The method of producing a superconducting product includes: providing a pressed-powder preform consisting essentially of REBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x where 6.0<x<7.0; preheating the preform to elevated temperature for a time period between 0 and 10 minutes, within a medium consisting of a mixture of refractory ceramic particles, carbonaceous particles and ultra fine graphitic particles; providing a preheated grain bed and embedding the heated preform in that bed, the bed having the same composition as the medium; and consolidating the preform to at least about 95% of theoretical density by application of pressure to the grain bed, thereby to form the product.

Abstract: A method of consolidating a body in any of initially powdered, sintered, fibrous, sponge, or other form capable of compaction, including the steps: providing a bed of flowable particles within a contained zone, the particulate including flowable and resiliently compressible carbonaceous particles; positioning the body in the bed, to be surrounded by the particles; effecting pressurization of the bed to cause pressure transmission via the particles to said body, thereby to compact the body into desired shape, increasing its density; the particles being heated to elevated temperature prior to compacting of the body into desired shape; and the heating of the particles being effected by passing electric current through same, with heat generated in the particles also to be transferred to the body.The electrically heated mass of particles may be fluidized; the particles may consist of graphite; and the body may consist of metal, ceramic, or synthetic resin.

Abstract: A method of consolidating metal powders selected from the group consisting essentially of aluminum, aluminum alloys, and aluminum metal matrix composites includes: pressing the powder into a preform, and preheating the preform to elevated temperatures; providing a bed of flowable pressure transmitting particles; positioning the preform in such relation to the bed that the particles encompass the preform; and pressurizing the bed to compress the particles and cause pressure transmission via the particles to the preform, thereby to consolidate the body into desired shape. Typically, the metal powder has surface oxide, and such pressurizing is carried out to break up, partially or fully, the surface oxide.

Abstract: A method of treating a preform consisting essentially FeNeB alloy particles to produce a magnet having superior magnetic properties, the steps:(a) removing O.sub.2 from the preform and applying an O.sub.2 resistant coating to the preform surface, or removing O.sub.2 and maintaining an O.sub.2 -free environment,(b) heating the coated preform to elevated temperature and in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, to facilitate subsequent bonding of the particles during their consolidation,(c) providing a consolidation zone containing a grain bed and transferring the heated and coated or uncoated preform to said zone to be embedded in the grain bed,(d) applying pressure to the grain bed sufficient to be transferred via the bed and to the heated preform, thereby to consolidate the preform.

Abstract: A method of consolidating a body in any of initially powdered, sintered, fibrous, sponge, or other form capable of compaction, including the steps: providing a bed of flowable particles within a contained zone, the particulate including flowable and resiliently compressible carbonaceous particles; positioning the body in the bed, to be surrounded by the particles; effecting pressurization of the bed to cause pressure transmission via the particles to said body, thereby to compact the body into desired shape, increasing its density; the particles being heated to elevated temperature prior to compacting of the body into desired shape; and the heating of the particles being effected by passing electric current through same, with heat generated in the particles also to be transferred to the body.The electrically heated mass of particles may be fluidized; the particles may consist of graphite; and the body may consist of metal, ceramic, or synthetic resin.

Abstract: A method of treating a preform consisting essentially FeNeB alloy particles to produce a magnet having superior magnetic properties, the steps:(a) removing O.sub.2 from the preform and applying an O.sub.2 resistant coating to the preform surface, or removing O.sub.2 and maintaining an O.sub.2 -free environment,(b) heating the coated preform to elevated temperature and in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, to facilitate subsequent bonding of the particles during their consolidation,(c) providing a consolidation zone containing a grain bed and transferring the heated and coated or uncoated preform to said zone to be embedded in the grain bed,(d) applying pressure to the grain bed sufficient to be transferred via the bed and to the heated preform, thereby to consolidate the preform.