Abstract: The invention relates to a process for shaping a material by isostatic compression at a temperature of at least 1300.degree. C. of a powder of said material in a tight sheath.The sheath is made from titanium or a titanium alloy and is internally coated with tantalum in such a way that the sheath can be embrittled during hot isostatic compression, by the diffusion of tantalum into the titanium or titanium alloy, in the presence of oxygen. In general, the titanium sheath is coated with tantalum by spraying in the presence of oxygen.The use of such a sheath makes it possible to avoid the operation of eliminating the sheath chemically or mechanically conventionally necessary in such processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of porous products of boron or boron compounds.This process comprises the following stages:(1) suspending the boron powder in a solution of an alkali metal salt, hydroxide and/or oxide,(2) then separating the powder from the suspension liquid by settling,(3) drying the thus separated powder to obtain an agglomerated powder, and(4) subjecting the thus obtained agglomerated powder to at least two heat treatments performed at different temperatures, the final stage of the heat treatment being performed at a temperature of 1500.degree. to 2200.degree. C. and the first stage being performed at a temperature below that of the final stage.The heat treatment can be performed in three stages, as shown in the attached graph.