Abstract: A process for modifying or removing the prior powder particle boundaries and surface films from ferrous particulate metals and alloys, such as iron, low carbon steel and low alloy steel, for burnishing the clean, freshly revealed metal surfaces of the particles, and for inducing and storing energy of deformation into the surface layers of said particles. The sintering characteristics of metal powders are improved, and the most rapid sintering characteristics are produced.For example, in as-water-atomized ferrous metal particles, the surface film or skin is mostly oxides of iron and mixed oxides of the constituents of iron alloys. The skin is removed in a high velocity, turbulent whirling gas stream, which impacts the particles into each other, and the resulting burnished iron and steel cores are collected, together with the finely shattered oxide skins.

Abstract: A process for conditioning ferruous particles with heat and a reducing atmosphere to reduce the oxygen content of the particles in a non-agglomerative manner and to make the conditioned particles readily pourable and free-flowing, and to process the particles into steel strip.

Abstract: A process for conditioning ferrous particles with heat and a reducing atmosphere to reduce the oxygen content of the particles in a non-agglomerative manner and to make the conditioned particles readily pourable and free-flowing, and to process the particles into steel strip.