Abstract: A method of forming a crankshaft bushing or similar component is provided. A compaction die is provided having an axial, generally cylindrical internal opening. An upper and a lower punch are provided with exterior surfaces corresponding to the internal opening of the compaction die. An upper core rod passes through an axial opening in the upper punch. A lower core rod passes through an axial opening in the lower punch. The upper core rod and the lower core rod each may have a generally flat external surface section. A metal powder is compacted in the compaction die by the combined action of the upper and lower punches and the upper and lower core rods.

Abstract: A shaped charge includes a casing defining an interior volume, wherein the casing is prepared by sintering a metal powder or a mixture of metal powders; a liner located in the interior volume; and an explosive between the liner and the casing. A method for manufacturing a shaped charge casing includes the steps of mixing a metal powder or a metal powder mixture with a binder to form a pre-mix; pressing the pre-mix in a mold to form a casing green body; heating the casing green body to a first temperature to vaporize the binder; raising the temperature to a second temperature in an inert or reducing atmosphere to sinter the metal powder or the metal powder mixture to produce the shaped charge casing.

Abstract: Scrolls made from one or more near-net shaped powder metal processes either wholly or fabricated together from sections. Both “conventional” press and sinter methods and metal injection molding methods will be described.

Abstract: A bearing stiffness of a sintered metal sleeve is prevented from lowering. A sleeve includes an inner section formed of metal powder for sintering and a resin for impregnation, and a surface deformation section which covers a surface of the inner section and is formed by shot blast process. Since the surface deformation section is formed by the shot blast process, the number of pores formed between the metal powder for sintering near the surface can be reduced. In this way, a supporting pressure at a bearing portion can be prevented from being released out through the pores, and the bearing stiffness can be prevented from lowering.

Abstract: A wear part is formed of a diamond-containing composite material with 40 to 90% by volume of diamond grains, 0.001 to 12% by volume of carbidic phase, formed from one or more elements from the group Si, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, B, Sc, Y and lanthanides and 7 to 49% by volume of a metallic or intermetallic alloy with a liquidus temperature<1400° C., the metallic or intermetallic alloy containing the carbide-forming element or elements in dissolved or precipitated form and having a hardness at room temperature>250 HV.

Abstract: A method of assembling two or more parts together that may be metal, ceramic, metal and ceramic parts, or parts that have different CTE. Individual parts are formed and sintered from particles that leave a network of interconnecting porosity in each sintered part. The separate parts are assembled together and then a fill material is infiltrated into the assembled, sintered parts using a method such as capillary action, gravity, and/or pressure. The assembly is then cured to yield a bonded and fully or near-fully dense part that has the desired physical and mechanical properties for the part's intended purpose. Structural strength may be added to the parts by the inclusion of fibrous materials.

Abstract: A conventional Bi-containing sliding material sometimes underwent seizing in a sliding part operating at a high rotational speed. The present invention provides a sliding material which does not undergo seizing in a sliding part operating at a high rotational speed and a method for its manufacture. A low melting point alloy containing at least 20 mass % of Bi and having a liquidus temperature of at most 200° C. is made to penetrate into a porous portion comprising a Cu—Sn based alloy. A Bi—Sn based alloy or a Bi—In based alloy is suitable as the low melting point alloy. After a low melting point alloy paste is applied to a porous portion, the low melting point alloy is melted and made to penetrate into the porous portion.

Abstract: A method of producing a rare-earth magnet containing a rare-earth compound having a first rare-earth element and a second rare-earth element different from the first rare-earth element includes: a mixing step of mixing rare-earth compound powder including the first rare-earth element and subjected to a process based on hydrogenation disproportionation desorption recombination with a diffusion material including the second rare-earth element; a molding step of molding the mixed powder into a compact in a magnetic field; and a heating step of heating the compact to diffuse the second rare-earth element into the rare-earth compound powder.

Abstract: Disclosed are a scaler tip for a dental implant using a Powder Injection Molding (PIM) of silver, copper, a silver alloy, or a copper alloy, and a method for manufacturing the scaler tip. The scaler tip includes a shank portion, and a work portion extendedly formed from an end of the shank portion and including a curved portion. Here, the scaler tip is formed by performing the PIM on at least one metal powder of silver, copper, the silver alloy, and the copper alloy.

Abstract: Coated metal cutting tools with reduced adhesion weat and improved thermal resistance, processes for making the same and methods of use.

Abstract: An interconnector, or bipolar plate, for a high-temperature solid electrolyte fuel cell is composed of a sintered chromium alloy which has sintering pores and contains >90% by weight of Cr, from 3 to 8% by weight of Fe and optionally from 0.001 to 2% by weight of at least one element of the group of rare earth metals. The chromium alloy contains from 0.1 to 2% by weight of Al and the sintering pores are at least partially filled with an oxidic compound containing Al and Cr. The interconnector has a high impermeability to gas and dimensional stability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a rigid internal gear for a wave gear device comprising an internally toothed portion and a gear main body portion comprised of different materials. In this method, a gear main body ring for forming a gear main body portion is preformed using a first aluminum alloy powder; an internal teeth-forming ring is preformed using a second aluminum alloy powder that has lower processability, is less durable, has higher abrasion resistance, and is harder than the first aluminum alloy powder; the internal teeth-forming ring is fitted inside the gear main body ring and the assembly is integrated by powder forging; and the resulting ring-shaped forging is subjected to post-processing, including cutting teeth. The gear main body portion and internally toothed portion are securely integrated by powder forging, and a lightweight rigid internal gear with high durability can therefore be obtained.

Abstract: An RE-containing alloy, which is represented by a compositional formula of RrTtAa (wherein R represents at least one rare earth element selected from among La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Tm, Yb, Gd, and Lu; T collectively represents transition metal elements containing at least Fe atoms, a portion of the Fe atoms being optionally substituted by at least one species selected from among Co, Ni, Mn, Pt, and Pd; A represents at least one element selected from among Al, As, Si, Ga, Ge, Mn, Sn, and Sb; and r, t, and a have the following relationships: 5.0 at. %?r?6.8 at. %, 73.8 at. %?t?88.7 at. %, and 4.6 at. %?a?19.4 at. %) and having an alloy microstructure containing an NaZn13-type crystal structure in an amount of at least 85 mass % and ?-Fe in an amount of 5-15 mass % inclusive.

Abstract: A composite article (1; 10; 40) comprises a plurality of inclusions (5) of a magnetocalorically active material embedded in a matrix (4) of a magnetocalorically passive material. The inclusions (5) and the matrix (4) have a microstructure characteristic of a compacted powder.

Abstract: A method for impregnating a metal injected material to produce a composite article (10). The method includes the steps of forming a green part (12) from a feedstock (14), removing a binder (16) from the green part (12) to form a brown part (18), and impregnating the brown part (18) with select particles (20) to form a finished composite article (10).

Abstract: From tungsten or molybdenum powders, a tungsten or molybdenum compact is pressurized and molded into the same dimensions as or slightly larger than the end product and sintered into tungsten or molybdenum skeleton. After copper infiltration, chemical copper etching is applied to remove excess surface copper. A machining allowance with an absolute value >0-?0.1 mm may be applied for the machining of uneven surfaces resulting from the chemical process of copper removal.

Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a permanent magnet which has an extremely high coercive force and high magnetic properties is manufactured at high productivity There are executed: a first step of causing at least one of Dy and Tb to adhere to at least part of a surface of iron-boron-rare-earth based sintered magnet; and a second step of diffusing, through heat-treatment at a predetermined temperature, at least one of Dy and Tb adhered to the surface of the sintered magnet into grain boundary phase of the sintered magnet.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a porous oil-impregnated revolving shaft assembly includes following steps: 1) offering an amount of metal powder, a particle diameter of the metal powder ranging from 1 ?m to 150 ?m; 2) offering a mold cavity and filling the metal powder in the mold cavity to form a green piece, a plurality of pores being defined between the metal powder of the green piece; 3) heating the green piece at a high temperature to sinter the metal powder to obtain a sintered product, a volume ratio of pores of the sintered product ranging from 12% and 20%; 4) dipping the sintered product into oil to make the oil enter the pores of the sintered product to thereby obtain a final desired product for forming the porous oil-impregnated revolving shaft assembly.

Abstract: A heat sink that is particularly suitable for semiconductor components is made from a diamond-containing composite material. In addition to a diamond fraction amounting to 40-90% by volume, the composite material also contains 7 to 59% by volume copper or a copper-rich phase (with Cu>80 at. %) and 0.01 to 20% by volume boron or a boron-rich phase (with B>50 at. %). The bonding of copper to the diamond grains can be considerably improved by the addition of boron, with the result that a high thermal conductivity can be achieved. The heat sink component is preferably produced with an unpressurized and pressure-assisted infiltration technique.

Abstract: A 3-D solid model of a tire vulcanizing mold is constructed on CAD, lamination models the optimum value of the pitch of which is determined in consideration of molding accuracy and processing time are created by dividing this model in a predetermined lamination direction, slice data for each layer corresponding to the lamination pitch of each segment are created, a sector mold of the tire vulcanizing mold is manufactured by a powder sintering method based on the slice data, and the density of a sintered body is controlled by adjusting the output of a laser beam or the exposure time of the laser beam applied to the powders to provide a density distribution on the plane and in the depth direction of a mold element for each layer so as to obtain a tire vulcanizing mold having a hybrid structure.

Abstract: A steel powder metal skeleton is infiltrated with an infiltrant composition similar to the skeleton, with an additional agent that depresses the melting point of the infiltrant relative to the skeleton. Infiltration is driven primarily by capillary pressure. The powder and infiltrant compositions differ primarily only in a higher concentration of a melting point depressant agent “MPD” in the infiltrant. Carbon (C) and silicon (Si) and several other elements can be elements in an MPD, either alone or in combination. Certain steel target compositions are such that a complementary infiltrant, and skeleton can be chosen such that a skeleton will remain solid at an infiltration temperature at which the infiltrant can be melted and fully infiltrated, and further where there is a persistent two phase field, with a liquid phase that is large enough (greater than 7% vol, and typically between 20 and 40 vol %) so that flow can be maintained without choke off from diffusional solidification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a part made of a molybdenum-copper composite material. The composite material is formed by forming a mixture of molybdenum, phenolic, and wax, laser sintering the mixture to form a green form, placing the green form and oxygen free copper into a furnace, and subjecting the green form and oxygen free copper to a furnace heating cycle.

Abstract: In W—Cu alloy having a homogeneous micro-structure and a fabrication method thereof, the method includes forming mixed powders by mixing tungsten powders with W—Cu composite powders; forming a compact by pressurizing-forming the mixed powders; forming a skeleton by sintering the compact; and contacting copper to the skeleton and performing infiltration. W—Cu alloy having a homogeneous structure fabricated by the present invention shows better performance by being used as a material for high voltage electric contact of a contact braker, a material for heat sink of an IC semiconductor and a shaped charge liner.

Abstract: An infiltrant is used to fill a metal powder skeleton. The infiltrant is similar in composition to the base powder, but contains a melting point depressant. The infiltrant will quickly fill the powder skeleton, then as the melting point depressant diffuses into the base powder, the liquid will undergo solidification and the material will eventually homogenize. This process allows more accurate control of dimensions in large parts with uniform or homogeneous microstructure or bulk properties.

Abstract: A sintered alloy for valve seats is comprised of carbon at 1 to 2 percent by weight, chromium at 3.5 to 4.7 percent by weight, molybdenum at 4.5 to 6.5 percent by weight, tungsten at 5.2 to 7.0 percent by weight, vanadium at 1.5 to 3.2 percent by weight, and the remainder of iron and unavoidable impurities. Enstatite particles at 1 to 3 percent by weight, hard alloy particles (A) with a Vickers hardness of 500 to 900 at 15 to 25 percent by weight, and hard alloy particles (B) with a Vickers hardness of 1000 or more at 5 to 15 percent by weight (A+B=35 percent by weight or less) are dispersed in the matrix of the sintered alloy skeleton distributed with carbide. Copper or copper alloy at 15 to 20 percent by weight is infiltrated into pores of the skeleton.

Abstract: A machining surface of a machining tool such as a drill is composed of a metal-rich section. A ceramics-rich section is formed centrally in the drill. Further, a gradient section is provided between the ceramics-rich section and the metal-rich section. In the gradient section, the composition ratio of metal is gradually increased from the ceramics-rich section to the metal-rich section. That is, the drill is composed of the gradient composite material in which the composition ratio of ceramics is increased and the composition ratio of metal is decreased inwardly from the machining surface.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell capable of operating in pressure differentials exceeding about 2,000 psi, using a porous electrode. The porous electrode comprises a catalyst adsorbed on or in a porous support that is disposed in intimate contact and fluid communication with the electrolyte membrane.

Abstract: (a) The metal matrix composite is suitable for the manufacture of flat or shaped titanium aluminide, zirconium aluminide, or niobium aluminide articles and layered metal composites having improved mechanical properties such as lightweight plates and sheets for aircraft and automotive applications, thin cross-section vanes and airfoils, heat-sinking lightweight electronic substrates, bulletproof structures for vests, partition walls and doors, as well as sporting goods such as helmets, golf clubs, sole plates, crown plates, etc. The composite material consists of a metal (e.g., Ti, Zr, or Nb-based alloy) matrix at least partially intercalated with a three-dimensional skeletal metal aluminide structure, whereby ductility of the matrix metal is higher than that of the metal aluminide skeleton. The method for manufacturing includes the following steps: (a) providing an aluminum skeleton structure having open porosity of 50-95 vol.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing an intermetallic compound-based composite material containing a reinforcing material and an intermetallic compound. The process includes infiltrating a metal powder into the gaps of a reinforcing material to form a preform and impregnating the preform with an Al melt to give rise to a spontaneous combustion reaction between the metal powder and the Al melt to convert the Al melt into an aluminide intermetallic compound. The Al melt and the metal powder are used in such amounts that they do not remain after the spontaneous combustion reaction. The process can produce an intermetallic compound-based composite material of large size and complicated shape in reduced steps.

Abstract: A porous metal body having a foam structure of 500 ?m or less in average pore diameter, wherein the skeleton is composed of an alloy primarily including Fe and Cr, and Cr carbide or FeCr carbide is uniformly dispersed in the texture. The metal porous body is produced by preparing a slurry primarily containing an Fe oxide powder having an average particle diameter of 5 ?m or less, at least one powder selected from metallic Cr, Cr alloys, and Cr oxides, a thermosetting resin, and a diluent, applying a coating of this slurry to a resin core body having a foam structure, performing drying, and thereafter, performing firing in a non-oxidizing atmosphere so as to produce a metal porous body having the aforementioned skeleton structure.

Abstract: A boron containing ceramic-aluminum metal composite is formed by mixing a boron containing ceramic with a metal powder comprised of aluminum or alloy thereof, shaping the mixture into a porous preform, contacting the preform with an infiltrating metal comprised of aluminum or alloy thereof that melts at a lower temperature than the metal powder and heating to a temperature sufficient to melt the infiltrating metal, but insufficient to melt the metal powder, such that the infiltrating metal infiltrates the porous preform to form the composite. The composite that is formed may be used for vehicular parts.

Abstract: A method of forming a powder metal material includes molding a compact from a powder mix comprising an iron-containing powder and glass, and subsequently sintering the compact. Also disclosed is a sintered powder metal material including iron and glass.

Abstract: A method of forming a powder metal material or article includes the steps of molding a compact from a metallurgical powder, and then sintering the compact. The metallurgical powder may include at least one of a stainless steel powder and a low-chromium steel-base powder, and about 0.5 to about 15 weight percent of glass powder. Alternatively, the metallurgical powder may include at least one of a stainless steel powder and a low-chromium steel-base powder, about 3 to about 15 weight percent molybdenum, and about 1 to about 15 weight percent of nickel-base alloy powder. The present invention also is directed to metallurgical powders useful in and materials and articles made by the methods of the present invention. Such articles include, but are not limited to, valve guides for internal combustion engine EGR systems, valve seats, exhaust system components, combustion chambers, other combustion engine parts subjected to high temperature, and chemical industry valve and corrosion parts.

Abstract: A valve seat is produced by (a) using, as a raw material powder for forming a matrix, an Fe-based alloy powder with an average particle size of 20 to 50 &mgr;m, and using, as a raw material powder for forming a hard dispersion phase, a Co-based alloy powder with an average particle size of 20 to 50 &mgr;m, (b) conducting solid phase sintering, under vacuum, of a pressed compact formed from a mixed powder generated by mixing the Co-based alloy powder into the Fe-based alloy powder in sufficient quantity to account for 25 to 35% by weight of the combined weight with the Fe-based alloy powder, and causing the Co, Cr and Si components of the Co-based alloy powder to diffuse and migrate into the matrix, and the Fe component of the Fe-based alloy powder to diffuse and migrate concurrently into the hard dispersion phase, thereby markedly improving adhesion of the hard dispersion phase to the matrix, and forming, as a result, an Fe-based sintered alloy substrate with a porosity of 10 to 20%, and comprising an Fe&mdas

Abstract: In W-Cu alloy having a homogeneous micro-structure and a fabrication method thereof, the method includes forming mixed powders by mixing tungsten powders with W-Cu composite powders; forming a compact by pressurizing-forming the mixed powders; forming a skeleton by sintering the compact; and contacting copper to the skeleton and performing infiltration. W-Cu alloy having a homogeneous structure fabricated by the present invention shows better performance by being used as a material for high voltage electric contact of a contact braker, a material for heat sink of an IC semiconductor and a shaped charge liner.

Abstract: There are disclosed a method for producing a composite material composed of a dispersing agent and a matrix, and a composite material produced by the method. The matrix is formed by the steps of coating a metal-coated dispersing agent to form a metal-coated layer on the surface of the dispersing agent, filling the metal-coated dispersing agent in a jig prepared in a fixed shape, and then causing the reaction of the metal-coated layer with a molten Al by impregnating the metal-coated dispersing agent with the molten Al filled in the jig.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for manufacturing a sintered slide bearing. A sintered porous bearing body is prepared from a powdered metal material and a resin material in a fluidable state is penetrated into the sintered porous bearing body. The resin material in the sintered porous bearing body is hardened, and the sintered porous bearing body after the hardening of the resin material is repressed to reduce a gap produced between the sintered porous bearing body and the hardened resin material by volume reduction caused on the resin material at the hardening.

Abstract: Golf club structures, including club heads and shafts, composed of composites comprised of a matrix of metal, such as an aluminum alloy, or a plastic material and a fiber such as graphite or a ceramic, which may be whiskerized, and which may also be selectively weighted as in the toe and heel of a club head, with heavy particles such as tungsten metal. The club structure may also be surface hardened by applying a coating of fullerenes to a metal club structure and heat treating it to produce a hard coating of metal carbide, preferably by coating a titanium golf club structure with fullerenes and heat treating the coated structure to produce a titanium carbide surface.

Abstract: In infiltrating a porous metal skeleton an infiltrant composition is used similar to that of the powder skeleton, but with the addition of a melting point depressant. The infiltrant quickly fills the skeleton. As the melting point depressant diffuses into the base powder, the liquid may undergo diffusional solidification and the material eventually homogenizes. Maintaining the infiltrant at a liquidus composition for the infiltration temperature typically ensures that the bulk composition or properties will remain uniform throughout the part, particularly in the direction of infiltration. Success of such an infiltration is enhanced by effective means of maintaining the molten infiltrant at a liquidus composition. It is also beneficial, in some cases, for the time scale of the infiltration to be much faster than the time scale of the diffusion of the melting point depressant and the subsequent solidification and homogenization.

Abstract: A sintered alloy composition for automotive engine valve seats, and a method for producing the same, are described. An iron base sintered alloy composition comprising vanadium carbide particles, Fe—Co—Ni—Mo alloy particles, and Cr—W—Co—C alloy particles in which the composition is dispersed in a structure of sorbite is particularly suitable for use as materials of valve seats for automotive engines which requires excellent wear resistance, high-performance, high-rotation-speed, and low-fuel-consumption.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new composite material comprising a porous matrix made of metal, metal alloy or semiconducting material and hollow fullerene-like nanoparticles of a metal chalcogenide compound or mixture of such compounds. The composite material is characterized by having a porosity between about 10% and about 40%. The amount of the hallow nanoparticles in the composite material is 1-20 wt. %.

Abstract: A method for forming a copper-infiltrated iron powder metal article comprises compacting and sintering a predominately iron powder to form an iron-base matrix that contains between about 1 and 7 weight percent nickel and about 0.1 and 1.2 weight percent phosphorus. A copper metal is infiltrated into pores within the iron-base matrix. The product article comprises between about 2.0 and 23 weight percent copper infiltrant. Preferably, infiltration is carried out concurrently with sintering of the iron powder compact. The resulting product exhibits a particularly useful combination of mechanical properties, including high tensile strength and elongation.

Abstract: Bodies for heating, for example electric sealing jaws, are produced according to the present invention by a method which includes compaction and densification or consolidation of pulverulent, metallic material in a mould. The mould (6) is first supplied with the pulverulent material (10) which is compacted, as well as treated with an impregnating solution (12). Thereafter, the body (2) is heated to dry the solution and to sinter the pulverulent material. The method gives a dense body possessing superior thermal conductivity.

Abstract: The lightweight bulletproof metal matrix macrocomposites (MMMC) contain (a) 10-99 vol. % of permeable skeleton structure of titanium, titanium aluminide, Ti-based alloys, and/or mixtures thereof infiltrated with low-melting metal selected from Al, Mg, or their alloys, and (b) 1-90 vol. % of ceramic and/or metal inserts positioned within said skeleton, whereby a normal projection area of each of said inserts is equal to or larger than the cross-section area of a bullet or a projectile body. The MMMC are manufactured as flat or solid-shaped, double-layer, or multi-layer articles containing the same inserts or different inserts in each layer, whereby insert projections of each layer cover spaces between inserts of the underlying layer. The infiltrated metal contains 1-70 wt. % of Al and Mg in the balance, optionally, alloyed with Ti, Si, Zr, Nb, V, as well as with 0-3 wt. % of TiB2, SiC, or Si3N4 sub-micron powders, to promote infiltrating and wetting by Al-containing alloys.

Abstract: Lightweight metal matrix composites containing a skeleton structure of titanium, titanium aluminide, or Ti-based alloy are manufactured by low temperature infiltration with molten Mg-based alloy or Mg—Al alloy at 450-750° C., with molten In, Pb, or Sn at 300-450° C., or with molten Ag and Cu at 900-1100° C. The skeleton structure with a density of 25-35% is produced by loose sintering of Ti or Ti-based alloy powders. A primary deformation of the Ti skeleton structure before the infiltration is carried out by cold or hot rolling or forging to obtain a porous flat or shaped preform with a porosity <50% and pores drawn out in one direction such as the direction of future rolling of the composite plate.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention a structural member is formed by iron-phosphorous alloy powder having about 0.01 wt % to 1.2 wt % of phosphorous by weight of the powder. The powder is then pressed to the desired matrix density and copper infiltrated such that copper is present in the amount of 1.96 wt % to 23.08 wt %, by weight of the weight of the structural member. The final density of the structured member is in a range of 6.1 to 8.1 g/cc. The structural member formed using the sintered powder metal of the present invention has superior elongation (as much as 10.3% elongation), impact strength (159 N-m charpy unnotched), tensile strength (530 MPa), and modulus (166 GPa) as compared to standard density powder metal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling the microstructures of Cu—Cr-based contact materials for vacuum interrupters, in which a heat-resistant element is added to the Cu—Cr-based contact materials to obtain an excellent current interrupting characteristic and voltage withstanding capability, and contact materials manufactured thereby. The method of controlling the microstructures of Cu—Cr-based contact materials includes the steps of mixing a copper powder used as a matrix material, a chromium powder improving an electrical characteristic of the contact material and a heat-resistant element powder making the chromium particles in the matrix material fine to thereby obtain mixed powder, and subjecting the mixed powder to one treatment selected from sintering, infiltration and hot pressing to thereby obtain a sintered product.

Abstract: Near-net-shape soft magnetic components can be produced from iron powder-lubricant compositions using powder metallurgy techniques. The resulting components have isotropic magnetic and thermal properties and may be shaped into complex geometry using conventional compaction techniques. A non-coated ferromagnetic powder is mixed with a lubricant and compacted. After compaction, the components are thermally treated at a moderate temperature to burn out the lubricant, and possibly also relieve the stresses induced during pressing and reduce the hysteresis losses. Depending on the application, the properties of the material may be tailored by varying the content and type of the lubricant and the thermal treatment conditions.

Abstract: A method for the hardening treatment of a sintered alloy includes compressing an iron-based sinterable material to form a compact, providing a surface of the compact with a coating material containing aluminum or an aluminum alloy that melts at a temperature lower than the sintering temperature of the compact, and sintering the compact provided with the coating material, so as to form an intermediate compound of iron and aluminum in a surface layer of the compact.

Abstract: A method for producing a contact material made of copper and chromium in a proportion of 40 to 75 wt.-% copper and 25 to 60 wt.-% of chromium for contact pieces for vacuum switch devices by pressing the powder mixture, sintering and infiltrating the compact and subsequent reshaping into a semi-finished contact material product having a density which corresponds to at least 99% of the theoretical density, as well as to contact pieces made of this semi-finished contact material product.