Abstract: A sputtering target that includes at least two consolidated blocks, each block including an alloy including a first metal (e.g., a refractory metal such as molybdenum in an amount greater than about 30 percent by weight) and at least one additional alloying ingredient; and a joint between the at least two consolidated blocks, the joint being prepared free of any microstructure derived from a diffusion bond of an added loose powder. A process for making the target includes hot isostatically pressing (e.g., below a temperature of 1080° C.), consolidated preform blocks that, prior to pressing, have interposed between the consolidated powder metal blocks at least one continuous solid interface portion. The at least one continuous solid interface portion may include a cold spray body, which may be a mass of cold spray deposited powders on a surface a block, a sintered preform, a compacted powder body (e.g., a tile), or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A sputtering target that includes at least two consolidated blocks, each block including an alloy including a first metal (e.g., a refractory metal such as molybdenum in an amount greater than about 30 percent by weight) and at least one additional alloying ingredient; and a joint between the at least two consolidated blocks, the joint being prepared free of any microstructure derived from a diffusion bond of an added loose powder. A process for making the target includes hot isostatically pressing (e.g., below a temperature of 1080° C.), consolidated preform blocks that, prior to pressing, have interposed between the consolidated powder metal blocks at least one continuous solid interface portion. The at least one continuous solid interface portion may include a cold spray body, which may be a mass of cold spray deposited powders on a surface a block, a sintered preform, a compacted powder body (e.g., a tile), or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A sputtering target that includes at least two consolidated blocks, each block including an alloy including a first metal (e.g., a refractory metal such as molybdenum in an amount greater than about 30 percent by weight) and at least one additional alloying ingredient; and a joint between the at least two consolidated blocks, the joint being prepared free of any microstructure derived from a diffusion bond of an added loose powder. A process for making the target includes hot isostatically pressing (e.g., below a temperature of 1080° C.), consolidated preform blocks that, prior to pressing, have interposed between the consolidated powder metal blocks at least one continuous solid interface portion. The at least one continuous solid interface portion may include a cold spray body, which may be a mass of cold spray deposited powders on a surface a block, a sintered preform, a compacted powder body (e.g., a tile), or any combination thereof.

Abstract: In various embodiments, used sputtering targets are refurbished at least in part by maintaining a large obliquity angle between the spray-deposition gun and the depressed surface contour of the target during spray deposition of the target material.

Abstract: A metal article formed by compacting a 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 metal article to at least about 90% of theoretical density.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal article may include: Producing a supply of a composite metal powder by: providing a supply of molybdenum metal powder; providing a supply of a sodium compound; combining the molybdenum metal powder and the sodium compound with a liquid to form a slurry; feeding the slurry into a stream of hot gas; and recovering the composite metal powder; and consolidating the composite metal powder to form the metal article, the metal article comprising a sodium/molybdenum metal matrix. Also disclosed is a metal article produced accordance with this method.

Abstract: A sputtering target that includes at least two consolidated blocks, each block including an alloy including a first metal (e.g., a refractory metal such as molybdenum in an amount greater than about 30 percent by weight) and at least one additional alloying ingredient; and a joint between the at least two consolidated blocks, the joint being prepared free of any microstructure derived from a diffusion bond of an added loose powder. A process for making the target includes hot isostatically pressing (e.g., below a temperature of 1080° C.), consolidated preform blocks that, prior to pressing, have interposed between the consolidated powder metal blocks at least one continuous solid interface portion. The at least one continuous solid interface portion may include a cold spray body, which may be a mass of cold spray deposited powders on a surface a block, a sintered preform, a compacted powder body (e.g., a tile), or any combination thereof.

Abstract: In various embodiments, used sputtering targets are refurbished at least in part by maintaining a large obliquity angle between the spray-deposition gun and the depressed surface contour of the target during spray deposition of the target material.

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: A metal article formed by compacting a 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 metal article to at least about 90% of theoretical density.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite metal powder according to one embodiment of the invention may comprise: Providing a supply of molybdenum metal powder; providing a supply of a potassium compound; combining the molybdenum metal powder and the potassium compound with a liquid to form a slurry; feeding the slurry into a stream of hot gas; and recovering the composite metal powder.

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: 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: The present invention relates to an improvement in the manufacture of metal blanks, discs, and sputtering targets by flattening only one of the two surfaces of a metal plate. The elimination of flattening the metal plate's second surface results in a significant cost reduction. The metal plate of the present invention preferably has a single-side flatness of 0.005 inches or less, which improves the reliability of the bond between the target blank and a backing plate. Preferred metals include, but are not limited to, tantalum, niobium, titanium, and alloys thereof. The present invention also relates to machining the first side of a metal plate, bonding the first side to a backing plate, and then optionally machining the second side of the metal plate.

Abstract: High purity niobium metals and alloys containing the same are described. The niobium metal preferably has a purity of at least 99.99% and more preferably at least 99.999%. In addition, niobium metal and alloys thereof are described, which either have a grain size of about 150 microns or less, or a texture in which a (100) intensity within any 5% increment of thickness is less than about 30 random, or an incremental log ratio of (111):(100) intensity of greater than about ?4.0, or any combination of these properties. Also described are articles and components made from the niobium metal which include, but are not limited to, sputtering targets, capacitor cans, resistive film layers, wire, and the like. Also disclosed is a process for making the high purity niobium metal which includes the step of reacting a salt-containing niobium and a metal salt along with at least one compound capable of reducing the salt-containing niobium to niobium and in a reaction container.

Abstract: A method of making metal plates as well as sputtering targets is described. In addition, products made by the process of the present invention are further described. The present invention preferably provides a product with reduced or minimized marbleizing on the surface of the metal product which has a multitude of benefits.

Abstract: A method of making metal plates as well as sputtering targets is described. In addition, products made by the process of the present invention are further described. The present invention preferably provides a product with reduced or minimized marbleizing on the surface of the metal product which has a multitude of benefits.

Abstract: Sputtering targets and methods of making sputtering targets are described. The method includes the steps of: providing a sputtering metal workpiece made of a valve metal; transverse cold-rolling the sputtering metal workpiece to obtain a rolled workpiece; and cold-working the rolled workpiece to obtain a shaped workpiece. The sputtering targets exhibits a substantially consistent grain structure and/or texture on at least the sidewalls.

Abstract: A method of producing a valve metal mill form having dimensions sufficient to be divided to form a plurality of sputter targets is described. The method includes multidirectional deformation of an ingot to form a mill form having a preferred average grain size of about 100 microns or less and/or a texture substantially void of textural bands.

Abstract: A thermally enhanced warhead utilizes a heated tungsten liner to generate explosively formed high velocity coherent molten slug to defeat armor targets.