Abstract: High strength steel parts or articles are made from a powder alloy by compacting the powder into a preform, sintering the preform in a sintering furnace or the like under a highly-reducing atmosphere and at a temperature of at least 1150.degree. C., cooling the preform, preheating the sintered preform in a highly-reducing atmosphere, such as an inert gas-based atmosphere containing hydrogen or pure hydrogen, to a temperature of at least 1000.degree. C. and transferring the preheated preform to an impact forging device and impacting the preform at a peak averaging forging pressure of at least about 1000 MPa to obtain a forged part or article. The time period between removal of the preheated preform from the preheater and the first forging impact is no more than about 8 seconds. The sintering and preheating steps can be combined with the sintered preform being cooled to the preheating temperature in the sintering furnace and transferred directly from the sintering furnace to the impact forging device.

Abstract: Method for producing an elongated sintered article, characterized by the steps including filling powder material in a pipe, carrying out plastic deformation of the pipe filled with the powder material, and heating the pipe filled with the powder material to burn and/or sinter the powder material.The method of the present invention is advantageously applicable to production of wire or rod of ceramics, particularly so called new ceramics or fine ceramics, sintered alloys or their combination, which are difficult of shaping or moulding by conventional process such as wire-drawing, rolling or extrusion or powder material and are difficult of machining or processing after the powder material is sintered.

Abstract: Composite magnetic compacts having good conductivity and excellent mechanical and magnetic properties and their forming methods. The composite magnetic compacts are basically made by forming mixtures consisting essentially of 1 to 50 percent by weight of a magnetic powder and the remaining percentage of a powder of superplastic Zn-22Al alloy. A drop in the strength of the compacts that occurs when the mixing percentage of the magnetic powder increases is made up for by the impregration of plastic in the compacts or the simpler addition of a plastic powder to the mixture of the powders of magnetic material and superplastic Zn-22Al alloy. The forming methods of the composite magnetic compacts are carried out at different temperatures and under different conditions depending on the composition of the powder mixtures and so on.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fragrance emitting metal composed of a sintered metallic body prepared by press-molding a metal powder for sintering within a mold having a required shape, followed by sintering of the resulting molded product at a required temperature, characterized by the constitution wherein the molding pressure is controlled so that the resulting sintered product may have a porosity which permits infiltration of a liquid perfumery therethrough; and the surface of the sintered metallic body is partially polished so as to reduce the porosity of the polished surface, thereby improving the property of sustaining the diffusion of the fragrance from the liquid perfumery infiltrated therethrough and also to impart gloss and luster thereto.

Abstract: A superconductive body of an oxidic superconductive material having good mechanical properties is characterized in that the oxidic material forms a matrix through which finely divided particles are mixed at least the surface of which consists of a metal or a metal alloy. Particles in the form of fibres are preferably used and the surface of the particles consists of silver or gold.

Abstract: A seal elements of hard material for use, for instance, as a pair of small plates which form the parts to control the fluid flow through a faucet. The seal is constructed of a hard material--a metal, a metallic oxide, a metallic carbide, a metallic nitride, a ceramic or glassy material--which is sintered from a semi-finished product obtained by mixing a powder of fine particle size of the aforementioned hard materials with an organic binder--a plastic material, a wax, or a combination of these substances. This mixture is formed under compression in a mold and, eventually, at least some of the binder is eliminated.

Abstract: A method in which various kinds of powdered or granular materials such as metal, ceramic and the like are put into a metal cylindrical container which can be plastically-deformed, or in the space between a container and a core or a substrate, the surroundings are sealed so that the powdered or granular materials do not leak out, the container is locally pressed by a small roller, and the locally pressed treatment is provided to the whole container region. Therefore, the internal powdered or granular materials are pressurized to a uniform density without regard to selective parts, and the materials are formed to various shapes by means of the local pressing.

Abstract: Dense tungsten ingots are prepared by hot isostatically pressing at a temperature of about 1500.degree. to about 1700.degree. C. and a pressure of about 20 to about 30 ksi for about 2 to about 3 hours a refractory container comprising a green tungsten metal compact in contact with a dopant, the tungsten metal of the compact being formed prior to contact with the dopant; the dopant being a material which is insoluble in tungsten and contains molecules having atomic radii greater than the atomic radius of tungsten by at least about 15%.

Abstract: Sintered ferrous materials are described having a composition in wt % lying within the ranges of C 0.8-1.5/W 1-4.4/Mo 1-4.4/V 1-2.6/Cr 1.3-3.2/Others 3 max./Fe balance. The material may be made by a method comprising the steps of mixing between 40 and 70 wt % of a powder having a composition in wt % within the ranges C 0.45-1.05/W 2.7-6. 2/Mo 2.8-6.2/V 2.8-3.2/Cr 3.8-4.5/Others 3.0 max./Fe balance with between 60 and 30 wt % of an iron powder and from 0.4 to 0.9 wt % of carbon powder, pressing a green body of the article from the mixed powder and then sintering the green body. The material may optionally contain sulphur, metallic sulphides. The material may be infiltrated.

Abstract: A process for producing clad products that utilizes wrought or cast components eliminating the need for costly metal powders and a can to contain them. A sleeve circumscribes a core leaving a space therebetween. Powder is introduced into the space and is sealed therein. The resultant billet is extruded generating a clean metallurgical bond between the core and the sleeve. The space need not be evacuated prior to heating the billet. Resultant clad welding rod permits higher operating amperages.

Abstract: A metal-metal matrix composite magnet including a magnetic material such as a neodymium-iron-boron magnetic phase bonded by a metal matrix, preferably copper an a method of making the magnet which involves plating a thin metal layer, for example, a layer having a thickness of less than 1000 angstrom average, from a magnetic phase, pressing the powder, with or without magnetic alignment, into the desired shape and then sintering the pressed powder at a temperature below about 400.degree. C.

Abstract: An improved process and an improved composite bearing material produced thereby comprising a hard metal backing strip having leaded-bronze bearing lining tenaciously bonded to at least one face surface thereof and wherein the bearing lining is characterized by having the lead constituent thereof substantially uniformly distributed throughout the lining matrix in the form of extremely fine-sized particles providing improved operating characteristics to the bearing materials fabricated therefrom.

Abstract: A cathode is made from a mixture of tungsten and iridium powders using a ction product formed from reacting barium peroxide with an excess of tungsten as the impregnant.

Abstract: A wear-resistant sintered iron-based alloy and a process for producing the alloy are described, wherein the alloy comprises a first phase having a martensite composition which comprises from 0.5 to 3.0 wt % of Cr, from 0.4 to 1.0 wt % of Mn, from 0.1 to 0.4 wt % of Mo, and the balance of Fe, based on the total amount of said first phase; a second phase having a martensite and Cr carbide composition which comprises from 10 to 20 wt % of Cr and the balance of Fe, based on the total amount of said second phase; and from 1.0 to 2.5 wt % of C, based on the total amount of said alloy; wherein said first phase and said second phase are present as a mixture containing from 10 to 80% by volume of said second phase, based on the total volume of said alloy; and said alloy is substantially free from any residual austenite.

Abstract: Disclosed is a roller for use in a rotary compressor, which roller comprising a sintered body consisting essentially of 0.5-2.0% by weight of C, 1.0-5.0% by weight of Cu, 0.5-3.5% by weight of Cr, 0.1-1.0% by weight of Co, 0.1-1.0% by weight of W and a balance Fe and unavoidable impurities. Hard particles of Cr-Co-W alloy are dispersed in one of pearlitic and tempering martensitic matrix, and sintered pores of the sintered body are sealed with tri-iron tetroxide. Resultant sintered body has high wear resistance and scuffing resistance capable of being used as an inverter type compressor.

Abstract: An electrode, and method of producing same, including tungsten which has been heated in wet hydrogen at 1050.degree. C. for 5 to 10 minutes, then heated at about 1500.degree. C. for about three hours in a vacuum, and then further heated at about 2800.degree. C. for about 5 minutes in a vacuum.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing metal products from a powder (19) which is received in a mould cavity formed by a gas-tight casing (10, 11, 12, 13) and is isostatically hot pressed in the casing to form a monolithic body. A body (14) of graphite, hexagonal boron nitride, or another similar ceramic material is provided as a core in the mould cavity, and after the isostatic hot pressing this core is removed from the produced monolithic body by blasting.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing cams for camsshafts by powder metallurgy, wherein the formed cams have constant properties over the volume thereof and are well polishable, includes molding into a cam blank a powder mixture made up of iron powder alloyed with carbide-forming elements of the fifth and sixth secondary groups of the periodic table, and graphite powder in a quantity necessary for carbide formation; sintering the blank at a temperature of at most 50 K above a solidus temperature of the blank; and compacting the blank by hot-isostatic compression at a temperature below the solidus temperature to at least 99% of a theoretical density.

Abstract: A tungsten heavy alloy system is modified by replacing from 2% to 10% of the tungsten by weight with tantalum to increase the strength and hardness characteristics for the alloy. This renders the alloy particularly useful for kinetic energy penetrators.

Abstract: A method for producing porous bearing shells with a compacted surface for gas-static bearings from sintered hollow blanks includes heating a blank with an inside diameter smaller than a rated diameter of a bearing and slipping the blank in the heated state onto a mandrel having an outside diameter equal to the rated diameter of the bearing. Subsequently the blank is cooled to the operating temperature of the bearing. The blank is reheated and the blank is finally pulled off the mandrel.

Abstract: A method for producing an integral titanium alloy article having at least o regions, each region having a distinct microstructure, which comprises the steps of(a) providing a suitable mold for the article;(b) introducing a first titanium alloy into a first portion of the mold;(c) introducing a second titanium alloy in powder form into a second portion of the mold; and(d) hot compacting the first and second alloys in the mold to produce a substantially fully dense article.The second alloy may be the hydrided version of the first alloy, or may have a different overall composition from the first alloy, or may be hydrided and have a different overall composition from the first alloy.

Abstract: A cathode is made from a mixture of tungsten and iridium powders using a ium peroxide containing material as the impregnant.

Abstract: A method of producing ferrous sintered alloys comprises the steps of preparing mixed alloy powder containing Fe-P-C eutectic alloy powder which includes phosphorus within the range of 2.0% to 3.0% by weight, carbon not more than 4.0% by weight and one of molybdenum within the range of 8.0% to 11.0% by weight and boron within the range of 0.5% to 3.0% by weight, graphite, and ferroalloy powder containing chromium within the range of 11% to 14% by weight; causing the mixed alloy powder to be subjected to compression molding to have a green compact; and sintering the green compact to have a ferrous sintered alloy containing compound carbides in a matrix structure thereof. The graphite is so selected that the sum total of the graphite and the carbon included in the Fe-P-C eutectic alloy powder constitutes a part within the range of 5% to 8% by weight of the sum total of the graphite and the Fe-P-C eutectic alloy powder.

Abstract: A permanent-magnet material having a composition represented by the following formula;R(Co.sub.1-X-Y-.alpha.-.beta. Fe.sub.X Cu.sub.Y M.sub..alpha. M'.sub.62)A(wherein X, Y, .alpha., .beta., and A respectively represent the following numbers:0.01.ltoreq.X, 0.02.ltoreq.Y.ltoreq.0.25, 0.001.ltoreq..alpha..ltoreq.0.15,0.0001.ltoreq..beta..ltoreq.0.001, and 6.0.ltoreq.A.ltoreq.8.3,providing that the amount of Fe to be added should be less than 15% by weight, based on the total amount of the composition, and R, M, and M' respectively represent the following constituents:R: At least one element selected from the group of rare earth elements,M: At least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, V, and Ta, andM': B or B+Si),is disclosed.

Abstract: Sputter targets and a process for producing sputter targets are provided, comprised of carbides and/or nitrides and/or borides of refractory metals. In a first step, a dense composite body is produced comprised of one or more carbides and/or nitrides and/or borides of the metals of Groups IV A-VI A of the periodic table and a metallic binding agent comprised of one or more metals of the iron group of the periodic table. This composite body in the form of a shaped blank is machined, if necessary, and the binding agent is removed by chemical or electrochemical treatment. The sputter target as so produced has excellent mechanical strength and high thermal shock resistance. Levels of contaminating elements and the residual metallic binding agent are extremely low, meeting the requirements typically placed on sputter targets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for producing a powder metal part having a plurality of cavities. The method involves introducing a metal powder and an apparatus into a mold, the apparatus being made of a plurality of solid pieces which are in the shape of the cavities to be formed. The pieces are joined together by joining means and are positioned relative to each other by adjusting means so that the cavities formed therefrom are equally spaced about the center of the part. The apparatus is then removed from the mold, and the powder is then isostatically pressed in the mold to produce a green part which is then sintered to form the final part having the cavities.

Abstract: A method of producing a metal/ceramic composite structure in which an uncolidated metal or metal alloy powder is loaded into a sealable glass mold comprising a hollow ceramic sleeve and a sealable outer glass envelope surrounding the ceramic sleeve and forming with the outer wall of the ceramic sleeve a sealable chamber for the metal or metal alloy powder, wherein the glass is a type which becomes plastic when heated. The air in the mold is removed under vacuum and the mold is sealed and placed into a free flowing refractory powder in a crucible and consolidated by sintering under atmospheric pressure (CAP.RTM. process). Removal of the glass envelope leaves a composite article having a consolidated metal or metal alloy layer surrounding and placing a hollow ceramic liner (sleeve) under both radial and axial compression. A ceramic-line metal gun barrel insert can be produced by using a ceramic sleeve with rifling on its inner surface.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing structural parts of complicated shape from intermetallic phases capable of sintering by means of special additives which serve at the same time as sintering assist and increase the ductility of the finished structural part. The process includes the steps of making by melting a pre-alloy of the intermetallic phase, comminuting the pre-alloy into fine powder and mixing the fine powder with one or more additives into a mass which can then be shaped and subsequently sintered at a temperature of 70 to 95% of the absolute melting point of the intermetallic phases into a structural part of increased ductility and a density greater than 95% of the theoretical density which might possibly be subjected to subsequent pressing operations.

Abstract: A composite compact component made of a composite compact consisting of a diamond or BN powder bonded to a hard sintered alloy base during a sintering operation, and a substrate composed of steel or a hard sintered alloy bonded to the base of the composite compact through a high strength filler metal or alloy having a melting point of at least the liquidus point of the hard sintered alloy base. A process of making set composite compact component is also disclosed as well as a drill bit containing said composite compact component and variations thereof.

Abstract: Discrete copper-nickel-tin spinodal alloy articles, such as bearings, containing from about 5 to about 35 wt. % nickel, from about 4 to about 13 wt. % tin and the balance copper are produced by processing a prealloyed alloy powder to form a green body having substantially the desired shape of, and proportionally sized to, the final article and sintering the green body in a reducing atmosphere or a vacuum at a temperature of at least 1650.degree. F. for sufficient time to achieve at least 90% of the theoretical density. The green body may be formed by either compaction or injection molding of the prealloyed powder. The resulting sintered article may be age hardened to effect a spinodal decomposition of the copper-nickel-tin alloy. The age hardened articles exhibit excellent strength properties and homogeneity while retaining significant ductility.

Abstract: Ag-SnO system alloy electrical contact materials. The Ag alloy before internal oxidation thereof contains Sn of an amount of 5-20 weight %, 0.5-15 weight % of which amount is in the powder form of SnO.sub.2. The existence of SnO.sub.2 particles in the alloy accelerates the internal oxidation speed, allowing oxygen to readily pass aside and between the particles, while the internal oxidation per se makes the alloy more dense by eliminating spaces between SnO.sub.2 grain particles on account of the volumeric expansion of Sn which results from the internal oxidation thereof.

Abstract: A molded, boron carbide-containing, sintered article which includes at least 65 percent by volume boron carbide; and from 5 to 35 percent by volume of at least one binder metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, molybdenum alloys, tungsten and tungsten alloys, having a melting point above 1,800.degree. C., and forming no molten borides or carbides within a temperature range of from 1,800.degree. to 1,950.degree. C. A method for producing the article includes the steps of mixing to obtain a homogeneous mixture from 20 to 80 percent by weight boron carbide particles having a particle size ranging from 1 to 1,650 microns with up to 80 percent by weight of particles of the at least one binder metal having a particle size ranging from 35 to 100 microns; introducing the homogeneous mixture into a graphite matrix mold; heating to sinter the homogeneous mixture at a temperature ranging from 1,800.degree. to 2,000.degree. C.

Abstract: Fabrication of a high precision mirror using a discontinuous metal matrix mposite is described. A metal matrix composite (MMC) is obtained by using one of the three methods described herein or any other method. The MMC material so obtained is machined to form a mirror substrate which is then coated and the coating so obtained is converted into the mirror surface. The mirror so obtained has better characteristics over the conventional high precision beryllium mirrors used for this purpose and is fabricated out of a nontoxic material which is cheaper and more easily available than the beryllium metal.

Abstract: This specification is directed to a method of making a current collector (14) for a sodium/sulfur battery (10). The current collector so-made is electronically conductive and resistant to corrosive attack by sulfur/polysulfide melts. The method includes the step of forming the current collector for the sodium/sulfur battery from a composite material (16) formed of aluminum filled with electronically conductive fibers selected from the group of fibers consisting essentially of graphite fibers having a diameter up to 10 microns and silicon carbide fibers having a diameter in a range of 500-1000 angstroms.

Abstract: A process for the production of a reinforced metal plate comprising forming a slurry of metal coated carbon fibers, binder fibers and metal powder, laying down a mat from said slurry, drying the resultant mat and then sintering said, is disclosed. The dried sintered mat may be made stronger by contacting the mat with a silicate before sintering.

Abstract: A diamond sintered body for tools contains a diamond content in excess of 93 percent and not more than 99 percent by volume and a residue including at least one of a metal or a carbide selected from groups IVa, Va and VIa of the periodic table and an iron group metal of 0.1 to 3 percent by volume in total and pores at least 0.5 percent and not more than 7 percent by volume.

Abstract: A high strength powder metal part formed from an alloy of iron, nickel, molybdenum and carbon and having an ultimate tensile strength of at least 175,000 pounds per square inch. The powder metal part is made by mixing the alloy with a lubricant, forming the mixture into the desired part shape, sintering in a dissociated ammonia atmosphere, and cryogenically cooling the sintered part.

Abstract: A hollow charge, or plate charge, lining, and a projectile charge coating, made from a composite material of tungsten and copper. Indicated are material proportions, grain sizes, and manufacturing methods.

Abstract: A process for forming a titanium base alloy comprises compacting a powder formed of particles of titanium or of a mother alloy thereof and of a dispersion of fine particles of a product curbing the growth of the grain size, in a proportion per volume which is less than that which would lead to the formation of a continuous layer of fine particles about the particles of titanium powder. Then the alloy is heat treated at a temperature higher than the point of transformation into phase .beta. and quenched. The product is typically selected among S, P, B, As, Se, Te, Y and the lanthanides.

Abstract: A method of producing a cylindrical permanent magnet having a multipole surface anisotropy. The method comprises the steps of: preparing a metal mold cooperating with a lower punch in defining therein a cylindrical compacting cavity, the metal mold being provided in the inner peripheral surface thereof with field coils corresponding in number to the number of the magnetic poles of the magnet to be produced; charging the compacting cavity with a ferromagnetic powder having a magnetic anisotropy; energizing the field coils to impart a magnetic anisotropy to the ferromagnetic powder while compacting the powder between an upper punch and the lower punch to form a compact; demagnetizing the formed compact followed by a firing; and magnetizing the fired compact in the same direction as the anisotropy. The method is characterized in that the field coils produce pulse magnetic field the intensity of which is not smaller than 3.5.times.10.sup.

Abstract: A process for the production of valve seat rings by powder metallurgy wherein molybdenum disulfide in the range of about 0.5% to 1.5% by weight is added to a powder mixture containing 0.8% to 1.5% by weight graphite, 1.0% to 4% by weight lead, 0.5% to 5% by weight nickel, 1.2% to 1.8% by weight molybdenum, 9.6% to 14.4% by weight cobalt, and the remainder iron. The resulting powder mixture is pressed into valve seat rings at a pressing force between 40 and 60 and preferably 50 KN/cm.sup.2. The rings are then sintered in a neutral atmosphere at a temperature of 1100.degree. C. to 1200.degree. C., finally compressed at a pressing force above 120 KN/cm.sup.2 and heat-treated if required. The resulting valve seat rings have greatly improved wear properties when used in internal combustion engines using lead-free gasoline.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for densifying previously sintered parts constructed of powdered metals, ceramics or the like to nearly 100% theoretical density. The method of the present invention comprises heating the parts containing binder and hard phase above their liquid phase temperature and then applying a pressure in a predetermined range to the parts for a predetermined period of time and simultaneously maintaining the parts at or above their liquid phase temperature. This pressure range is set so that the pressure is below the pressure necessary to overcome the capillary force acting on the binder to keep the binder from entering the voids but above the pressure necessary to physically move or collapse the microstructure inwardly, thus filling the voids with a homogenous mixture of binder and hard phase. The method of the present invention achieves complete closure of even large voids and the elimination of substantially all porosity within the part.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a sintered body containing cubic boron nitride which comprise the steps ofcontacting a starting material containing boron nitride and/or a starting material containing at least one selected from the group consisting of metals of groups IVa, Va and VIa of the periodic table, silicon, aluminum, iron group metals and compounds of the aforesaid metals with at least one selected from the group consisting of borazine, a borazine derivative and a compound composed of boron, nitrogen and hydrogen as will release hydrogen by a thermal decomposition under pressure to form boron nitride; andsintering the material under conditions of a predetermined pressure and temperature under which cubic boron nitride is kept stable. Also disclosed is a method for preparing cubic boron nitride which comprises, in addition to the above steps, recovering cubic boron nitride from the obtained sintered body by a chemical and/or physical manner.

Abstract: A method of producing rocket combustors wherein in forming an outer cylin by a powder metallurgical method on the outer side of a cylinder provided on its outer periphery with a cooling wall of channel construction having a plurality of grooves (14), an Ni electroforming layer is formed on the outer side of the outer cylinder, and also a method of producing rocket combustors wherein an outer cylinder is of multilayer construction having two or more layers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for densifying previously sintered parts constructed of powdered metals, ceramics or the like to nearly 100% theoretical density. The method of the present invention comprises heating the parts containing binder and hard phase above their liquid phase temperature and then applying a pressure in a predetermined range to the parts for a predetermined period of time and simultaneously maintaining the parts at or above their liquid phase temperature. This pressure range is set so that the pressure is below the pressure necessary to overcome the capillary force acting on the binder to keep the binder from entering the voids but above the pressure necessary to physically move or collapse themicrostructure inwardly, thus filling the voids with a homogeneous mixture of binder and hard phase. The method of the present invention achieves complete closure of even large voids and the elimination of substantially all porosity within the part.

Abstract: An object is manufactured from a powdered material by isostatic pressing of a body, preformed from the powdered material, with a pressure medium, whereby the preformed body, in which at least the surface layer consists of a ceramic material in the form of a nitride, is surrounded by a casing which is rendered impenetrable to the pressure medium, before the isostatic pressing is carried out and the powder sintered. As the material in the casing there is used boron oxide or a glass containing boron oxide or a material forming glass while being heated, in which the content of boron oxide is sufficiently high for the glass--or the glass formed during heating--to be removable by water. The preformed body surrounded by the casing is subjected to a heat treatment for the formation of boron nitride on the surface of the preformed body, before the isostatic pressing is carried out. The casing is removed from the finished product by means of water or water vapor.

Abstract: In the consolidation by atmospheric pressure of nickel-titanium alloy powders, the improvement comprising slowly cooling down the consolidated alloy objects under a high pressure.

Abstract: Sponge titanium powder is compacted, advantageously by roll compaction to a density in the range of about 60% to 80% of the density of solid titanium metal, thereafter heat treated in vacuum at about 500.degree. C. to 750.degree. C., cooled in vacuum to 300.degree. C. and quenched to 100.degree. C. to provide a substrate for electrodes useful in electrolytic processes.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a slide member by molding an alloy powder composed of, by weight, from 2.5 to 7.5% of Cr, from 0.1 to 3.0% of Mn, from 0.2 to 0.8% of P, from 1.0 to 5.0% of Cu, from 0.5 to 2.0% of Si, from 0 to 3% of Mo, from 1.5 to 3.5% of C, and the balance being Fe with less than 2.0% of impurities into a compressed powder mass under a molding product pressure of 5 to 7 ton/cm.sup.2 ; sintering the compressed powder mass at a temperature of 1020.degree. to 1180.degree. C. to produce a sintered alloy mass; treating the sintered alloy mass for 0.5 to 3 hours by soaking the sintered alloy mass at a temperature from 450.degree. to 550.degree. C. under a reduced pressure of 0.1 to 0.8 atm. while exposing the sintered alloy mass to a gas, the gas having a main component selected from the group consisting of a non-oxidizing type gas and an endothermic type gas, and containing 20 to 40 vol.

Abstract: The high pressure/high temperature catalyst sweep through process for making diamond and cubic boron nitride compacts has been improved by adding an intermediate metal or metal alloy. The added metal (whether alone or contained in an alloy) has a melting point below that of the catalyst (e.g. cobalt), is miscible with the catalyst, and preferably sweeps through the mass of abrasive crystals first. This modification has reduced flaw formation in such compacts.