Abstract: A compacted, single phase or multiphase composite article. Particles for use in the compacted article are produced by providing a precursor compound containing at least one or at least two metals and a coordinating ligand. The compound is heated to remove the coordinating ligand therefrom and increase the surface area thereof. It may then be reacted so that at least one metal forms a metal-containing compound. The particles may be consolidated to form a compacted article, and for this purpose may be used in combination with graphite or diamonds. The metal-containing compound may be a nonmetallic compound including carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides of a refractory metal, such as tungsten. The metal-containing compound may be dispersed in a metal matrix, such as iron, nickel or cobalt. The dispersed nonmetallic compound particles are no larger than about 0.1 micron in particle size and have a volume fraction greater than about 0.15 within the metal matrix.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing titanium nitride sintered masses having no residual pores and consisting of TiN solid solution particles and Ni solid solution matrix, in which a granulated powder of the following composition:TiN-pMo.sub.2 C-qC-rNi-sMeCwherein:p is 5 to 20 wt %;q is 0 to 1.5 wt %;r is 15 to 30 wt %;s is 0 to 5 wt %;MeC is one or more carbides selected from VC, WC, TaC and NbC;with the proviso that q and s are not 0 wt % simultaneously;is compacted and sintered. The process according to the present invention can provide sintered TiN cermets of high density and a small grain size.

Abstract: There is provided a sintered titanium-based carbonitride alloy for metal cutting containing hard constituents based on Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo and/or W and 3-30% binder phase based on Co and/or Ni. The structure contains 10-50% by weight well-dispersed Ti-rich hard constituent grains essentially without core-rim structure with a mean grain size of 0.8-5 .mu.m in a conventional carbonitride alloy matrix with a mean grain size of the hard constituents of 1-2 .mu.m. The Ti-rich hard constituent grains are essentially rounded, non-angular grains with an approximately logarithmic normal grain size distribution with a standard deviation of <0.23 logarithmic .mu.m.

Abstract: Aluminum nitride powder, aluminum nitride platelets, powdered solid solutions of aluminum nitride and at least one other ceramic material such as silicon carbide, and composites of aluminum nitride and transition metal borides or carbides are prepared by combustion synthesis at low gaseous nitrogen pressures. Porous bodies of aluminum nitride or composites of aluminum nitride and transition metal borides or carbides are also prepared by combustion synthesis at these pressures. The porous bodies are suitable for infiltration, either as formed or after being coated with at least one layer of a silicate material, by polymers or metals.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a material which is used to coat or create a surface for machine cutting tools, all types of drill bit teeth, saw teeth, bearing surfaces valve seats, nozzles and the like, thereby producing surfaces which are highly abrasion and erosion resistant. Furthermore, this invention includes some of the possible methods for producing such a material given that the methods and apparatus required provide a significant cost reduction over those required for producing prior art surface materials with similar abrasion and erosion resistant properties. More specifically, the material set forth can be formed at relatively low temperatures and relatively low pressures by sintering mixtures for a relatively short period of time.

Abstract: A particulate reinforced NiAl-AlN composite alloy has a NiAl matrix and greater than about 13 volume percent fine particles of AlN within the matrix. The particles preferably have a diameter from about 15 nanometers to about 50 nanometers. The particulate reinforced NiAl-AlN composite alloy may be prepared by cryomilling prealloyed NiAl in liquid nitrogen using grinding media having a diameter of from about 2 mm to about 6 mm at an impeller speed of from about 450 RPM to about 800 RPM. The cryomilling may be done for a duration of from about 4 hours to about 20 hours to obtain a cryomilled powder. The cryomilled powder may be consolidated to form the particulate reinforced NiAl-AlN composite alloy. The particulate reinforced alloy can further include a toughening alloy. The toughening alloy may include NiCrAlY, FeCrAY and FeAl.

Abstract: A method for the production of a superplastic Mg-based composite material comprises preparing a composite material consisting of ceramic particles formed of at least one compound selected from among TiC, AlN, Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, and TiB.sub.2 and a matrix formed of a magnesium alloy, dispersing the ceramic particles in the matrix, hot extruding the composite material, and then hot rolling the resultant extrudate; and a superplastic Mg-based composite material produced by the method.

Abstract: A ceramic moulded body containing at least 10 vol. % fine-grained Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and a process for its production(a) milling aluminium metal in powder form alone or together with Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 or/and if desired further suitable inorganic substances for ceramic formation in a non-aqueous liquid in the presence of oxygen until 10 to 80% of the metallic aluminium powder has reacted to form one or several aluminium oxidation precursors from the group amorphous Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, .gamma.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and aluminium-organic compounds and the powder has a maximum oxidation rate between 510.degree. and 610.degree. C. according to differential thermoanalytical measurement;(b) molding the powder of step (a) into a green body;(c) slowly heating the green body in an atmosphere containing oxygen to a temperature which is below the melting temperature of aluminium until at least 50% of the metallic aluminium powder remaining after the milling has reacted to Al.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: Metal carbide supported polycrystalline diamond (PCD) compacts having improved shear strength and impact resistance properties, and a method for making the same under high temperature/high pressure (HT/HP) processing conditions. A sintered polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) compact interlayer is provided to be bonded at a first interface to a sintered PCD compact layer, and at a second interface to a cemented metal carbide support layer comprising particles of a metal carbide in a binder metal. The supported compact is characterized as having a substantially uniform sweep through of the binder metal from the cemented metal carbide support layer, which sweep through bonds the sintered PCD compact layer to the sintered PCBN interlayer, and the sintered PCBN interlayer to the cemented metal carbide support layer.

Abstract: In the metallic member of the invention, ceramic super fine particles, and solid lubricant particles or short size fibers are dispersed, and the grain size of the ceramic particles is smaller than the solid lubricant particle size or fiber diameter.

Abstract: A porous membrane produced by preparing a slurry made from at least one micropyretic substance and at least one liquid carrier. The slurry is dried into a green form having a desired geometric configuration. Combustion of the green form produces the porous membrane.

Abstract: According to the invention there now is provided a method of producing a sintered titanium based carbonitride alloy with 3-25 weight % binder phase with extremely good properties at intermittent machining of materials difficult to machine. The method relates to the use of a raw material comprising a complex cubic carbonitride containing the main part of the metals from groups IV and V of the periodic system and carbon and nitrogen to be found in the finished alloy whereby said alloy has the composition0.86.ltoreq.X.sub.IV .ltoreq.0.970.44.ltoreq.X.sub.C .ltoreq.0.55where X.sub.IV is the molar ratio of the group IV elements of the alloy and X.sub.C is the molar ratio of carbon.

Abstract: According to the invention there now is provided a method of producing a sintered titanium based carbonitride alloy with 3-25 weight-% binder phase with extremely good properties at semifinishing operations at turning. The method relates to the use of a raw material consisting of a complex cubic carbonitride comprising the main part of the metals from groups IV and V of the periodic system and carbon and nitrogen to be found in the finished alloy whereby said alloy has the composition0.85.ltoreq.X.sub.IV .ltoreq.0.990.58.ltoreq.X.sub.C .ltoreq.0.69where X.sub.IV is the molar ratio of the group IV elements of the alloy and X.sub.C is the molar ratio of carbon.

Abstract: A method of preparing a metal alloy product from a powder blend. The method comprising: (a) cold pressing a blend to form a compact, the metal blend comprising a metal powder phase and at least one reinforcement phase having a hardness greater than the metal phase; (b) heating the compact to form a preheated compact; and (c) hot working the heated compact. In a preferred method, the powder metal blend comprises 50 to 90 vol. % of an aluminum alloy powder and 10 to 50 vol. % of silicon carbide; the heating of the compact perforated in a nitrogen atmosphere to form a preheated compact; and the extruded hot compact is hot worked. Hot working may take the form of forging, rolling, upset forging, exuding, compacting or other processes known in the art.

Abstract: According to the invention there now is provided a method of producing a sintered titanium based carbonitride alloy with 3-25 weight-% binder phase with extremely good properties at fine to medium coarse milling. The method relates to the use of a raw material consisting of a complex cubic carbonitride comprising the main part of the metals from groups IV and V of the periodic system and carbon and nitrogen to be found in the finished alloy whereby said alloy has the composition0.89.ltoreq.X.sub.IV .ltoreq.0.970.52.ltoreq.X.sub.C .ltoreq.0.61where X.sub.IV is the molar ratio of the group IV elements of the alloy and X.sub.C is the molar ratio of carbon.

Abstract: According to the invention there now is provided a method of producing a sintered titanium based carbonitride alloy with 325 weight-% binder phase with extremely good properties at extremely fine machining with high cutting speeds and low feeds. The method relates to the use of a raw material comprising a complex cubic carbonitride containing the main part of the metals from groups IV and V of the periodic system and carbon and nitrogen to be found in the finished alloy whereby said alloy has the composition0.87.ltoreq.X.sub.IV .ltoreq.0.990.66.ltoreq.X.sub.C .ltoreq.0.76where X.sub.IV is the molar ratio of the group IV elements of the alloy and X.sub.C is the molar ratio of carbon.

Abstract: According to the invention there now is provided a method of producing a sintered titanium based carbonitride alloy with 3-25 weight-% binder phase with extremely good properties at extreme fine machining when turning with high cutting rates. The method relates to the use of a raw material comprising a complex cubic carbonitride containing the main part of the metals from groups IV and V of the periodic system and carbon and nitrogen to be found in the finished alloy whereby said alloy has the composition0.86.ltoreq.X.sub.IV .ltoreq.0.990.74.ltoreq.X.sub.C .ltoreq.0.83where X.sub.IV is the molar ratio of the group IV elements of the alloy and X.sub.C is the molar ratio of carbon.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aluminum nitride body having graded metallurgy and a method for making such a body. The aluminum nitride body has at least one via and includes a first layer in direct contact with the aluminum nitride body and a second layer in direct contact with, and that completely encapsulates, the first layer. The first layer includes 30 to 60 volume percent aluminum nitride and 40 to 70 volume percent tungsten and/or molybdenum while the second layer includes 90 to 100 volume percent of tungsten and/or molybdenum and 0 to 10 volume percent of aluminum nitride.

Abstract: Methods for making, methods for using and articles comprising ferromagnetic cermets, preferably cemented carbides and more preferably tungsten carbide, having at least two regions exhibiting at least one property that differs are discussed. The multiple-region cermets are particularly useful in wear applications. The cermets are manufactured by juxtaposing and densifying at least two powder blends having different properties (e.g., differential carbide grain size or differential carbide chemistry or differential binder content or differential binder chemistry or differential magnetic saturation or any combination of the preceding). Preferably, a first region of the cermet comprises a first hard component having a prescribed binder content and a first magnetic saturation and a second region, juxtaposing or adjoining the first region, comprising a second binder content different than the binder content of the first region and a second magnetic saturation different than that of the first region.

Abstract: A powder of diamond or high-pressure phase boron nitride core particles charged into a coating space as it is dispersed, and a precursor of a coat forming substance allowed to contact and/or impinge against the particles in the powder of core particles so that their surfaces are covered with the coat forming substance, thereby preparing coated diamond or high-pressure phase boron nitride particles which are subsequently sintered. The thusly produced diamond of high-pressure phase boron nitride sinter is composed of coated core particles of high performance that are superhard, uniform, dense and sintered firmly, and which have a controlled microstructure.

Abstract: A process for the production of hard materials wherein hard constituent powders are coated with cobalt and/or nickel metal in solution by reducing the metals from a suitable compound such as an oxide, hydroxide or salt with a polyol while keeping the powder in suspension. The polyol functions both as a solvent and a reducing agent at the same time and is present in an amount of at least 5 times more moles polyol than moles metal. There is obtained an even distribution of the cobalt and/or nickel over the surface of the hard constituent powder without the formation of islands of pure metal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing a self-supporting body comprising the steps of:(a) forming a permeable mass comprising at least one solid-phase oxidant selected from the group consisting of the halogens, sulphur and its compounds, metals, metal oxides other than the silicates, and metal nitrides other than those of boron and silicon;(b) orienting said permeable mass and a source of said parent metal relative to each other so that formation of said oxidation reaction product will occur into said permeable mass;(c) heating said source of parent metal to a temperature above the melting point of said parent metal but below the melting point of said oxidation reaction product to form a body of molten parent metal;(d) reacting said body of molten parent metal with said at least one solid-phase oxidant at said temperature to permit said oxidant at said temperature to permit said oxidation reaction product to form; and(e) maintaining at least a portion of said at least one oxidation reaction product

Abstract: An unsintered aluminum nitride body including:(a) 1 to 5 weight percent of a vitreous solid of boria, alumina, and calcia in the proportions of (1) boria between 3 and 25 weight percent, (2) alumina between 10 and 50 weight percent, and (3) calcia between 40 and 80 weight percent; and(b) aluminum nitride powder as the balance of the aluminum nitride body.The invention further relates to a method of forming the unsintered aluminum nitride body and then sintering it at a temperature between 1550 and 1650 degrees Centrigrade so as to form a dense, thermally conductive aluminum nitride body.

Abstract: A process of forming a sintered article of powder metal comprising: selecting elemental iron powder; determining the desired properties of said sintered article and selecting, a quantity of carbon, and ferro alloy from the group of ferro manganese, ferro chromium, ferro molybdenum, ferro vanadium, ferro silicon and ferro boron; grinding said ferro alloy to a mean particle size of approximately 8 to 12 microns; introducing a lubricant while blending the carbon, ferro alloy, with said elemental iron powder; pressing the mixture to form the article; and then high temperature sintering the article at a temperature between 1,250.degree. C. and 1,350.degree. C. in a neutral or reducing atmosphere; so as to produce the sintered article of powdered metal; and includes the product formed thereby.

Abstract: Molybdenum disilicide base materials and methods for producing them are described. Mixtures of MoSi.sub.2 powder and other powders including SiO.sub.2, Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, SiC and Mo.sub.5 Si.sub.3 are plasma sprayed. Another embodiment which involves oxidation of MoSi.sub.2 is also disclosed. The resistant materials have particular utility as coatings for Nb alloys.

Abstract: A fully dense ceramic-metal body including 40-88 v/o of an oxide hard phase of, in v/o of the body, 4-88 v/o M-aluminum binary oxides, where the binary oxide has a C-type rare earth, garnet, .beta.-MAl.sub.11 O.sub.18, or perovskite crystal structure, and M is a lanthanide or indium, and 0-79 v/o .alpha.-alumina; about 10-50 v/o of a hard refractory carbide, nitride, or boride as a reinforcing phase; and about 2-10 v/o of a dispersed metal phase combining Ni and Al mostly segregated at triple points of the microstructure. The preferred metal phase contains a substantial amount of the Ni.sub.3 Al ordered crystal structure. In the preferred body, the reinforcing phase is silicon carbide partially incorporated into the oxide grains, and bridges the grain boundaries. The body including a segregated metal phase is produced by densifying a mixture of the hard phase components and the metal component, with the metal component being present in the starting formulation as Ni powder and Al powder.

Abstract: The invention provides aluminum sintered alloys with high dimensional accuracy and high density which are superior in mechanical and physical characteristics as well as wear resistance, and a method of producing such alloys not by plastic working but by atmospheric sintering with high economy. Rapidly solidified aluminum alloy powder resulting from solidifying aluminum alloy molten metal containing 0.4 to 4.0% by weight of Mg at a solidification rate of 10.sup.2 .degree. C./sec or more is press molded in the cold, after annealing in the temperature range of 250 to 450.degree. C. if necessary, and then the molded product is sintered by generating nitrogen compounds on the powder surface at atmospheric pressure with a nitrogen partial pressure of 0.8 atm or more and a steam partial pressure of 0.01 atm or less in which a reducing gas component has been added as a nitrogen-combining acceleration gas component by 0.01 atm or more. Thus, a nitrogen-combined aluminum sintered alloy containing 0.4 to 4.

Abstract: A composition for the formation of vias on a ceramic substrate, the composition including (a) at least one powder containing copper, gold, silver, tungsten, molybdenum, nickel, palladium, platinum, aluminium, or an alloy thereof; and (b) 5 to 40 wt %, based on the weight of the powder in the composition, of one or more of an organosilicic compound, an organoaluminium compound, an organozirconium compound, and an organomagnesium compound. A further embodiment of a composition for the formation of vias includes (a) and (b) above and, in addition, (c) a binder material including a cellulose derivative or a heat decomposable polymethamethyl acrylate binder, and (d) a high boiling point organic solvent. The invention also includes a method for use in the formation of vias on a substrate having perforating holes therein. Such a substrate could be a glass ceramic composite substrate, an alumina substrate, a magnesia substrate, a zirconia substrate, or green sheets thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a sintered body comprising one or more hard constituents and a binder phase based on cobalt, nickel and/or iron by powder metallurgical methods milling, pressing and sintering of powders. At least part of the binderphase powder consists of non-agglomerated particles of spheroidal morphology having dimensions of 0.1 to 20 .mu.m.

Abstract: In a method for preparing a high .alpha.-type silicon nitride powder by adding to and mixing with metallic silicon powder a copper catalyst and nitriding the mixture in a non-oxidizing gas atmosphere containing nitrogen or ammonia at 1,000.degree. to 1,500.degree. C., the amount of copper catalyst is limited to from 0.05 % to less than 0.5 % by weight of copper based on the weight of the metallic silicon. There is obtained silicon nitride powder of high purity at low cost and high efficiency since the copper catalyst can be efficiently removed from the silicon nitride powder through conventional acid treatment.

Abstract: A cermet useful in the fabrication of metal cutting, rockdrilling and mineral tools, as well as wear parts. The cermet comprises (i) a hard phase of a simple boride of a transition metal, a mixture of simple borides of transition metals, or a mixed boride of transition metals; (ii) a binder phase of Fe, Ni, Co, Cr, or alloys thereof; (iii) a dispersion of particles of oxides of transition metals in which the oxygen can be replaced by nitrogen and/or carbon; and (iv) a dispersion of oxides of metals chosen from aluminum and Group IIA and IIIA metals.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel directed metal oxidation process which is utilized to produce self-supporting bodies. In some of the more specific aspects of the invention, a parent metal (e.g., a parent metal vapor) is induced to react with at least one solid oxidant-containing material to result in the directed growth of a reaction product which is formed from a reaction between the parent metal and the solid oxidant-containing material. The inventive process can be utilized to form bodies having substantially homogeneous compositions, graded compositions, and macrocomposite bodies.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method of manufacturing a composite body, such as a ZrB.sub.2 --ZrC--Zr (optional) composite body, by utilizing a post-treatment process and to the novel products made thereby. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of modifying a composite body comprising one or more boron-containing compounds (e.g., a boride or a boride and a carbide) which has been made by the reactive infiltration of a molten parent metal into a bed or mass containing boron carbide, and optionally one or more inert fillers, to form the body.

Abstract: A structural member is produced using starting powder consisting of composite particulates each containing AlN grain within its surface covered by an Al layer of a single crystal structure, and Al alloy particulates of a single crystal structure, and then by sintering the Al layers of the composite particulates with the Al alloy particulates. The Al layers and the Al alloy particulates of the single crystal structure have no dislocation fault, crystal grain boundary. etc., produced therein, and for this reason, they have a low chemical activity. Therefore, the Al layers and the like have a characteristic that they are extremely difficult to oxidize. This ensures that the Al layers and the Al alloy particulates can be reliably sintered to achieve the densification of the resulting structural member.

Abstract: A low alloy sintered steel contains at least 0.15 percent by weight and less than 0.8 percent by weight of carbon. Its matrix is formed by a tempered martensite containing prior austenite crystal grains of not more than 15 .mu.m in mean grain size. Pores and nonmetallic inclusions contained in the matrix are not more than 50 .mu.m in maximum diameter, and the density of the low alloy sintered steel is at least 96 percent of theoretical density. A raw material powder for forming the low alloy sintered steel includes iron alloy powder which is prepared by an atomizing process, and is treated with a dry mill in an inert gas atmosphere or in the atmospheric air. Thus, dislocations are introduced into the raw material powder, and nonmetallic inclusions contained in the raw material powder are pulverized to be not more than 50 .mu.m in maximum diameter. Not only static characteristics but also dynamic characteristics, such as fatigue strength, of the low alloy sintered steel are improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sintered titanium-based carbonitride alloy for milling and turning where the hard constituents are based on Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo and/or W and the binder phase based on Co and/or Ni. The structure comprises 10-50% by volume hard constituent grains with core-rim-structure with a mean grain size for the cores of 2-8 .mu.m in a more fine-grained matrix with a mean grain size of the hard constituents of <1 .mu.m and where said mean grain size of the coarse hard constituents grains is >1.5 .mu.m, preferably >2 .mu.m, larger than the mean grain size for the grains in the matrix. The coarse grains can be Ti(C,N), (Ti,Ta)C, (Ti,Ta)(C,N) and/or (Ti,Ta,V)(C,N).

Abstract: The present invention addresses problems in the diamond saw blade and segment art. One aspect of the invention comprises a method for making handleable, strong, discrete, metal-clad abrasive pellets. This method comprises the steps of:(a) spraying onto a bed of gas-fluidized abrasive particles a slurry of metallic powder, a binding agent, and a volatile solvent until substantially all the abrasive particles are coated with at least about 20 wt-% of the metallic powder;(b) recovering the metal powder coated abrasive particles; and(c) heating said recovered coated particles under conditions to form a sintered continuous metal coating enveloping said abrasive particles. The resulting sintered metal-clad pellets form another aspect of the invention.

Abstract: A watch exterior part is formed of cemented carbide or stellite alloy, and has a three-dimensionally curved as-sintered surface or a small hole with an as-sintered interior peripheral surface, or has a three-dimensionally curved polished surface obtained by polishing an as-sintered surface. The watch exterior part is manufactured by a method in which organic binder is milled into a material powder, and a molded body obtained by injection molding is subjected to a binder removing process and then sintered. By the manufacturing method, a watch exterior part formed of cemented carbide or stellite alloy has a high strength and a complicated configuration such as a three-dimensional curved surface and a small hole, without applying secondary machining operations such as discharge operations.

Abstract: Method of making sintered insert for milling and turning formed of a titanium-based carbonitride containing hard constituents and binder phase metal comprising milling at least one hard constituent with binder phase metal, adding a second hard constituent at a later time during milling, pressing and sintering the pressed constituents to form the insert.

Abstract: A hard sintered component of a cemented carbide or a stellite alloy having a complex three-dimensional shape and a small hole or the like and the high strength originally provided by the used material for making the component without any secondary working, is formed by injection molding a compact molding die having an inner mold surface roughness R.sub.max of not more than 3 .mu.m. Where a core pin is used the outer surface of the pin has a surface roughness R.sub.max of not more than 3 .mu.m. The compact is then sintered. The hard sintered component is composed of a cemented carbide or a stellite alloy. In such a hard sintered component, the surface of a complex three-dimensional shape such as a disc portion or a thin portion, or the inner surface of a small hole, is defined by a sintered surface which has a surface roughness R.sub.max of not more than 4 .mu.m.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a sintered carbonitride alloy comprising wet milling powders of forming binder phase containing Co, Ni and mixture thereof and powder forming hard constituents of nitrides and carbonitrides with Ti as the main component to a mixture with desired composition; compacting said mixture to form compact; heating the compact at 100-300 C. in oxygen or air and subjecting said compact in multiple heating steps to effect sintering.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shaped article from a powdered precursor, wherein the components of the powdered precursor are subjected to a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) reaction and are consolidated essentially simultaneously. The shaped article requires essentially no machining after manufacture.

Abstract: To prepare an aluminum matrix particle composite alloy, a molten metal, mainly composed of aluminum, containing ceramic particles is disintegrated by atomization, to prepare atomized powder. The atomized powder is mechanically ground/reflocculated with a ball mill or the like, to prepare mechanically ground/reflocculated powder containing ceramic particles of not more than 8 .mu.m in maximum diameter and not more than 3 .mu.m in mean particle diameter. The mechanically ground/reflocculated powder is then warm-formed/solidified. Alternatively, an aluminum alloy molten metal containing dispersed particles is disintegrated by atomization, and thereafter the powder containing the dispersed particles of not more than 20 .mu.m in mean particle diameter is warm-formed/solidified by powder forging. Thus, it is possible to obtain an aluminum matrix particle composite alloy in which extra-fine ceramic particles are homogeneously distributed without segregation.

Abstract: A ceramic composite is disclosed which may be used as lightweight armor or for other impact or wear resisting purposes. The ceramic composite may comprise distinct phases of AlN and SiC; may be a solid solution of SiC; or may contain AlN or SiC, or both AlN and SiC as residual phase(s) in a solid solution matrix of SiC and AlN.

Abstract: A composite electrode for electrochemical processing having improved high temperature properties, and a process for making the electrode by combustion synthesis. A composition from which the electrode is made by combustion synthesis comprises from about 4% to about 90% by weight of a particulate or fibrous combustible mixture which, when ignited, is capable of forming an interconnected network of a ceramic or metal-ceramic composite, and from about 10% to about 60% by weight of a particulate or fibrous filler material capable of providing the electrode with improved oxidation resistance and maintenance of adequate electrical conductivity at temperatures above 1000.degree. C. The filler material is molybdenum silicide, silicon carbide, titanium carbide, boron carbide, boron nitride, zirconium boride, cerium oxide, cerium oxyfluoride, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A filter membrane and a process for making the filter membrane are provided. The filter membrane comprises a metal substrate having a filtering layer thereon comprising sintered ultra-fine particles of metal or ceramic compounds. The filtering layer preferably has an average pore size of from about 30 nanometers to about 200 nanometers. The filter membranes can withstand pressure drops of up to about 0.6 MPa and are useful for a variety of filtering applications.

Abstract: A silicon carbide material is made following a procedure including hot pressing to provide a finished product having a microstructure with an optimal grain size of less than 7 micrometers. The material exhibits a dominant failure mode of intergranular fracture requiring significant energy for crack propagation. The method of manufacturing is cost-effective by allowing the use of "dirty" raw materials since the process causes impurities to segregate at multi-grain boundary junctions to form isolated pockets of impurities which do not affect the structural integrity of the material. End uses include use as protective projectile-resistant armor.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing sintered parts, which uses as a debinder solvent a substance harmless to the human body and which can enhance the strength of an injection-molded product.

Abstract: A surface hardened aluminum part having excellent heat resistance and abrasion resistance obtained by forming, on the surface of an aluminum base material, an alloy layer that has a uniform composition and uniform hardness, being free from cracks. An aluminum alloy powder made of aluminum and metals each of which forms an intermetallic compound of high hardness with aluminum is prepared. This aluminum alloy powder is supplied onto the aluminum base material and the aluminum or aluminum alloy contained in the aluminum base material is alloyed with the aluminum alloy powder using a high-density energy heat source to form an alloy layer. The alloy layer thus formed has an intermetallic compound of high hardness uniformly distributed throughout the layer so that the hardness of the alloy layer is uniform and cracking is unlikely to occur.

Abstract: Dual phase sputter targets consisting essentially of TiN and Al, methods of manufacture thereof, and cathodic sputtering methods using such targets are disclosed. The targets are prepared by blending TiN and Al powders followed by compaction to full density. The thus compacted materials are optionally sintered and are then formed into the desired target shape. The targets are used in cathodic sputtering processes to form opaque, dark colored decorative and wear resistant coatings.