Abstract: Ultra fine and nanometer powders and a method of producing same are provided, preferably refractory metal and ceramic nanopowders. When certain precursors are injected into the plasma flame in a reactor chamber, the materials are heated, melted and vaporized and the chemical reaction is induced in the vapor phase. The vapor phase is quenched rapidly to solid phase to yield the ultra pure, ultra fine and nano product. With this technique, powders have been made 20 nanometers in size in a system capable of a bulk production rate of more than 10 lbs/hr. The process is particularly applicable to tungsten, molybdenum, rhenium, tungsten carbide, molybdenum carbide and other related materials.

Abstract: A method for fabricating and the resulting x-ray target comprising metal deposited on an electrically-conductive base member by electrodeposition from a molten salt electrolyte is claimed. The method comprises submerging the base member in a molten salt electrolyte bath. The base member acts as a cathode and anodes of target material metals are activated by electrical circuitry to deposit a target layer onto the base member. The electrodeposition method results in an exceptionally dense and pure layer of tungsten or tungsten alloy. Target materials of tungsten, tungsten alloy, rhenium, and rhenium alloy produce good results when electrodeposited onto base members fabricated from molybdenum, molybdenum alloy, and graphite-or carbon-based composites.