Abstract: Electrically conductive bodies and methods of using same are disclosed which generally incorporate the feature of wire crossing wire at multiple sites of mutual contact throughout the body with the wire interconnected at the sites by a chemical deposition of metal to yield a rigid, open metallic lattice.

Abstract: Composition material, preferably comprising solder-coated copper particles, is loaded into a defined space which preferably comprises a hole drilled into a circuit board to expose a surface of at least one internal conductor. The loaded composition material is then compacted within the space and thereafter heated to melt only the coating sufficiently to allow at least a portion of the coating to flow onto the exposed surface of the conductor. Upon cooling, the composition material forms a compact which establishes a rigid electrical and mechanical connection between the conductor and the compact. Preferably, the compact may thereafter be drilled and component leads of an electrical device soldered or otherwise connected to the compact.

Abstract: Methods for producing alloy metal powders by electrodeposition are disclosed. Compositions comprising a core surrounded by at least one discrete, substantially laminar layer of a metal different from the core are formed by electro-depositing the different metal onto a core metal powder cathode. The electro-deposition may be repeated to provide successive laminar layers of different metals. By the methods disclosed herein alloy powders of controlled composition may be readily generated. Among the advantages of these processes are increased rate of subsequent sintering and decreased loss of the core metal through oxidation or evaporation.

Abstract: Methods for integrating alloy components into individual powder metallurgy particles, as opposed to the conventional side-by-side mixture of the separate powder particles of each individual component, are disclosed. Both simultaneous and sequential methods for consolidating electro-deposition particles are described. Additionally, electro-chemical displacement and chemical deposition methods are described for the production of binary component powders which can be used in conjunction with electro-deposition methods. As many as four different component metals and/or non-metals may be incorporated into consolidated powders for use in the powder metallury production of alloys.

Abstract: Electrolytic methods for making high density copper powder starting with copper powder of lower apparent density are disclosed. Copper powder of lower apparent density is used as a cathode for the formation of copper powder having a desired relatively high apparent density. According to one embodiment, an integral two-phase process is provided in which copper powder of relatively lower apparent density is formed by electrodeposition, and the powder so-formed is then used in a second phase electrodeposition process as a cathode on which copper powder of the desired relatively high apparent density is formed.