Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cermet having high toughness and high hardness, which exhibits excellent impact resistance and wear resistance when used in cutting tools. A mixed powder is prepared which consists essentially of: titanium nitride, from 25 to 50 percent by weight; titanium carbide, from 10 to 30 percent by weight; at least one selected from the group consisting of tantalum carbide, niobium carbide, and zirconium carbide, from 5 to 25 percent by weight; tungsten carbide, from 10 to 25 percent by weight; and at least one selected from the group consisting of Co and Ni, and Al if required, from 7.5 to 25 percent by weight in total. The above mixed powder is compressed into a green compact. The green compact is sintered in a nitrogen atmosphere under a pressure within a range from 0.1 to 100 torr, and at a temperature within a range from 1400.degree. to 1550.degree. C.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for heating powder material charges to high temperatures at a fast rate, and for moving the charges through process operations, and for maintaining the temperatures of preheated charges and protecting the charges against contamination as they are moved through process operations.

Abstract: Metal powder of the desired composition having a particle size of -80 mesh is charged into an extrusion container, preferably a piece of carbon steel pipe, in successive layers about two inches thick. Each layer is compacted after deposition by a high energy rate forming ram so as to raise the tap density of the powder to about 80% of theoretical. An inner cover plate is then placed loosely on the compacted powder in the extrusion container, and is not attached to the container shell. On top of this inner plate is placed an outer cover plate which is welded to the container shell. Both plates are also of carbon steel, but are much thicker than the container wall. The container so prepared is heated in a heating furnace to a temperature below the melting temperature of the container and the powder alloy thus raising the density of the powder to about 90-93% of theoretical.

Abstract: A valve cladding method and associated system for implementation including the steps of preforming solid insert-members (22,24) of a vitreous material (having a rheological state that varys with temperature), to generally conform in shape to the cavity walls (12, 14) that are to be clad. The insert-member is fixtured (32) within the cavity to provide a generally concentric, annular space (28) of predetermined thickness and length between the insert-member and the adjacent walls to be clad, thereby defining an activation volume. This volume (28) is filled with loose metal powder (48) and vibrated to achieve tap density for a given powder blend. The activation volume is degassed, evacuated and sealed. The valve body (10') a thus loaded, is heated to a temperature at which the insert members becomes pliable, in the range from one-half to full melting temperature of the powder.

Abstract: Method for applying a corrosion-protection layer to the base body (1) of a gas turbine blade by embedding particles (3) of SiC in a metallic matrix by means of powder, paste or electrolytic/electrophoretic methods and compacting, welding or fusing and bonding the matrix-forming material to the base body (1) by means of hot-pressing, hot isostatic pressing or laser beam, electron beam or electric arc. Protective layers are formed which do not flake off and with high silicon content which is at least partially contained in the embedded, partly modified SiC particles (6) as a reservoir for the operation.

Abstract: Contact material for vacuum circuit breaker according to the present invention contains (1) copper, (2) molybdenum, and (3) niobium or tantalum.

Abstract: A solid particle erosion resistant coating includes angular titanium carbide particles uniformly dispersed through a high chromium iron matrix. In one form, the aggregate comprises, by weight, about 30-50% TiC, about 10-30% Cr, about 1.5-5% C and the balance essentially iron in the form of ferrite. The matrix also includes metallurgically identifiable amounts of high chromium content M.sub.7 C.sub.3 carbides therethrough. The coating does not exhibit austenitic or martensitic structure therehthough. A powder alloy consolidated body also includes a surface adjacent region having a similar TiC and high chromium iron matrix. Further, a method for obtaining the coating includes heating above the austenitization temperature of the matrix alloy and below the melting temperature of iron, and cooling the aggregate so as to attain iron in the form of ferrite in the matrix.

Abstract: A process for placing conductive paths on to the surface of a heat softenable substrate by applying a layer of metal powder to the substrate, compacting the powder in a pre-determined pattern by applying a heated die under pressure, and embedding the compacted powder by the continued application of the die at a pressure less than the compacting pressure.

Abstract: A fine amorphous metallurgical powder suitable for compacting and sintering into amorphous densified articles which consist essentially of a major portion by weight a transition metal or combination thereof and less than a minor amount of an additional component for enhancing the amorphous characteristics of densified articles produced by directing a stream of molten droplets at a repellent surface to produce the smooth surfaced and melt solidified particles having an average particle size of less than about ten micrometers.

Abstract: An improvement is disclosed in a method for producing a metal article of high density comprising pressing a metal powder at a sufficient pressure to form a green article and sintering said green article at a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time to form a sintered article, the improvement being pressing the sintered article at a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time at a sufficient pressure of a non-oxidizing atmosphere to produce the final high density article.

Abstract: A method for producing high speed, tool and die steel articles from prealloyed powders. The method comprises placing particles of a prealloyed steel composition from which the article is to be made in a deformable container, heating the container and particles and then passing the heated container through a forging box having a plurality of hammers evenly spaced around the container and adapted to extend and retract radially to impart a radial forging action to the container. The forging action is of a magnitude and duration to compact the particles to an essentially fully dense article. Preferably, there are four hammers arranged in two pairs with the hammer of each pair being opposed and adapted to extend and retract in unison.

Abstract: An improved bond between diamond and a metallic matrix can be achieved by hot pressing the metallic matrix onto a cleaned polycrystalline diamond (PCD) element. The PCD is degreased and then maintained substantially free from subsequent oxidation. The cleaned nonoxidized PCD is then disposed within a hot press and bonded under pressure and temperature with a conventional metallic matrix to form a cutting element. The cutting element thus formed is comprised of a PCD portion and a metallic portion with a high strength bond formed therebetween, on at least one surface of the diamond and, preferably, two adjacent surfaces. Typically, the metallic matrix is a carbide-forming metal or mixture of carbide-forming metals, and the diamond is a thermally stable porous, sintered polycrystalline product. The insert is subsequently placed within a bit mold and a bit is fabricated according to conventional powder metallurgical infiltration techniques.

Abstract: A method of cladding an internal cavity surface of a metal object is disclosed. The method includes the steps:(a) applying a powder metal layer on said internal surface, the metal powder including metal oxide or oxides, bordides and carbides,(b) filling a pressure transmitting and flowable grain into said cavity to contact said layer,(c) and pressurizing said grain to cause sufficient pressure transmission to the powder metal layer to consolidate same.

Abstract: A green compact (17) preheated to a predetermined temperature in a heating furnace (16) is inserted into a container comprising a press table (20) and a hollow cylinder (25), and molten glass (33) is then placed into the container. The green compact (17) is uniformly pressed by a press rod (29) through the molten glass (33). The molten glass (33) is cooled by a coolant flowing through channels (22) and (26) formed in the press table (20) and the cylinder (25), whereby a solidified shell (34) is formed at the outer peripheral portion of the mass of glass. Finally, the shell (34) is taken out from the container, and the molten portion of glass (33) is transferred into a ladle (31) through a grating (30), leaving the compressed sintered product on the grating (30).

Abstract: Permanent magnetic materials of the Fe-B-R type are produced by:preparing an metallic powder having a mean particle size of 0.3-80 microns and a composition of, by atomic percent, 8-30% R (rare earth elements), 2-28% B, and the balance Fe, compacting, sintering at a temperature of 900-1200 degrees C., and aging at a temperature ranging from 350 degrees C. to the temperature for sintering. Co and additional elements M (Ti, Ni, Bi, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Al, Sb, Ge, Sn, Zr, Hf) may be present.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a consolidated article composed of a transition metal alloy. The method includes the step of selecting a rapidly solidified alloy which is at least about 50% glassy. The alloy is formed into a plurality of alloy bodies, and these alloy bodies are compacted at a pressing temperature of not more than about 0.6 Ts (solidus temperature in .degree.C.) to consolidate and bond the alloy bodies together into a glassy metal compact having a density of at least about 90% T.D. (theoretical density). The compacted glassy alloy bodies are then heat treated at a temperature generally ranging from about 0.55-0.85 Ts, but, in any case, above the alloy crystallization temperature, for a time sufficient to produce a fine grain crystalline alloy structure in the compacted article.

Abstract: The method of producing a metallic, ceramic, or metal ceramic, part, employing powdered material, that includes:(a) forming two or more oversize powder material preforms respectively corresponding to two or more sections of the ultimate part to be produced,(b) placing said preforms in side-by-side relation, and(c) consolidating said preforms at elevated temperature and pressure to weld said sections together and to reduce the sections to ultimate part size.

Abstract: A fine aluminum metallurgical powder suitable for compacting and sintering into densified articles which includes a dispersed phase is produced by directing a stream of molten droplets at a repellent surface to produce smooth surfaced and melt solidified particles having an average particle size of less than about ten micrometers.

Abstract: A roller bit cutter comprises a tough, metallic, generally conical and fracture resistant core having a hollow interior, the core defining an axis; an annular, metallic, radial bearing layer carried by the core at the interior thereof to support the core for rotation, the bearing layer extending about the core axis; a wear resistant outer metallic layer on the exterior of the core; metallic teeth integral with the core and protruding outwardly therefrom, at least some of the teeth spaced about the axis; and an impact and wear resistant layer on each tooth to provide hard cutting edges as the bit cutter is rotated about the core.

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: Pressure assisted sintering achieves full densification in short sinter times with low grain growth. This result is enabled by a stage of sintering to a condition of closed porosity (14) followed by a pressure assisted sinter (PAS) stage (16) carried out at a temperature close to, but just below, sinter temperature. Advantageously a small melt formation is induced by a brief temperature spiking (18) during the PAS stage to enable collapse of voids.

Abstract: An improved inert electrode composition is suitable for use as an inert electrode in the production of metals such as aluminum by the electrolytic reduction of metal oxide or metal salt dissolved in a molten salt bath. The composition comprises one or more metals or metal alloys and metal compounds which may include oxides of the metals comprising the alloy. The alloy and metal compounds are interwoven in a network which provides improved electrical conductivity and mechanical strength while preserving the level of chemical inertness necessary for such an electrode to function satisfactorily.

Abstract: An acoustical transducer is provided with an acoustically absorbant backing material having an acoustical impedance precisely matching the impedance of the piezoelectric element in the transducer. The backing material is a multiphase mixture of selected materials, such as a low melting point alloy (InPb) and one or more powders having high impedance characteristics (tungsten and copper). The slope of the curve impedance versus volume fraction of the backing components is low, thus allowing the impedance of the material to be precisely controlled. The backing material is preferably electrically conductive and is fuzed to one surface of the piezoelectric element to further improve the output characteristics of the transducer.

Abstract: A hot isostatic pressing system including a hot isostatic pressing station having a high pressure container constituted by a vertical pressure-resistant cylinder closed at the top end thereof and a lower lid detachably fitted to the bottom of the pressure resistant cylinder and a treating chamber internally provided with a heater and enclosed by a heat insulating wall, and a mechanism for adjusting an atmospheric gas pressure and temperature of the pressing station into a condition suitable for the hot isostatic pressing of a work item accommodated in the treating chamber; a plurality of auxiliary stations each provided with an opening for receiving from beneath thereof the heat insulating wall of the treating chamber accommodating the internal heater and a work item, a support structure for supporting the heat insulating wall, and a mechanism for cooling the work item and internal heater in an inert gas atmosphere; a carriage for transferring the lower lid and work item or the lower lid, work item, heat insu

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for consolidating rapidly solidified, transition metal alloys which includes the step of compacting a plurality of alloy bodies at a temperature ranging from about 0.90-0.99 Tm (melting temperature in .degree.C.) for a time period ranging from about 1 min to 24 hours. The alloy bodies contain at least two transition metal elements and consist essentially of the formula (Fe,Co and/or Ni).sub.bal (W, Mo, Nb and/or Ta).sub.a (Al and/or Ti).sub.b (Cr).sub.c (B and/or C).sub.d (Si and/or P).sub.e, wherein "a" ranges from about 0-40 at. %, "b" ranges from about 0-40 at. %, "c" ranges from about 0-40 at. %, "d" ranges from about 5-25 at. %, and "e" ranges from about 0-15 at. %. The alloy bodies also have a substantially homogeneous and optically featureless structure.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for obtaining extruded semifinished products from high resistance aluminum alloy powder.It is characterized in that there is used particularly a powder of an aluminum-lithium alloy obtained by atomization in a neutral gas. This powder is loaded in a jacket of aluminum alloy of the 5000 type, then hot degassed under a pressure less than the atmospheric pressure; after sealing of the jacket, the unit is subjected to hot inverted extrusion and heat treated in the ambient air.The plated composite semifinished product thus obtained exhibits a very high resistance and finds its application particularly in the aeronautical industry.

Abstract: A method for producing iron-silicon alloy articles having an improved combination of hot workability and electrical properties; the method comprises taking a molten alloy mass of an iron-silicon alloy from which the article is to be made and gas atomizing it to form alloy particles which are quickly cooled to solidification temperature. These alloy particles are then hot isostatically pressed to form a substantially fully dense article. The fully dense article is then hot rolled to sheet form suitable for example for use as laminates in the manufacture of transformer cores.

Abstract: A sintered ferrous alloy which is high in wear resistance and relatively weak in the tendency to abrade another metal material with which the sintered alloy makes rubbing contact and suitable for rocker arm tips in automotive engines for example. The sintered alloy is produced by compacting and sintering a powder mixture of 15-50 parts by weight of a Fe-Cr-B alloy powder, which contains 10-35% of Cr and 1.0-2.5% of B, 1.0-3.5 parts by weight of graphite powder, such an amount of a Cu-P alloy powder that the powder mixture contains 0.2-1.5% of P and 1.0-20.0% of Cu and the balance of an iron powder.

Abstract: A method of consolidating metallic body means comprises(a) applying to the body means a mixture of:(i) metallic powder(ii) fugitive organic binder(iii) volatile solvent(b) drying the mixture, and(c) burning out the binder and solvent at elevated temperature,(d) and applying pressure to the powdered metal to consolidate same on said body means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing widgets from components and/or particulate; and to a can for containing such components and/or particulate during the consolidation into widgets. The method of the present invention can be used to form widgets from metals, ceramics, plastics, polymers, and/or combinations thereof. The materials used to form the widgets can be in the form of particulate, pellets, shard, and/or ribbon. The method of the present invention can also be used to join widgets and/or to heal ingot cracks.

Abstract: The method of consolidating a metallic, metallic and ceramic, or ceramic body in any of initially powdered, sintered, fibrous, sponge, or other form capable of compaction, includes the steps:(a) providing a bed of flowable particles within a contained zone, the particulate primarily including flowable and resiliently compressible carbonaceous particles,(b) positioning that body in the bed,(c) and effecting pressurization of the bed to cause pressure transmission via the particles to the body, thereby to compact the body into desired shape, increasing its density.

Abstract: An assembly and method for hot consolidating powder metal by heat and pressure in a container. The container is a mass of material substantially fully dense and incompressible with at least a portion which is capable of plastic flow at pressing temperatures and forming a closed cavity of a predetermined shape and volume for receiving a quantity of powder metal with the interior walls being movable to reduce the volume of the cavity for compacting powder metal into an article. A shaping insert is disposed in the cavity for defining a void in the article as the powder metal is compacted against the shaping insert. A force-responsive means allows relative movement between the shaping insert and at least a portion of the interior walls of the cavity as powder metal is compacted in response to a force reducing the volume of the cavity.

Abstract: A method for producing metal alloys with improved properties such as a high modulus of elasticity, includes:(a) mixing fine metal powders and blending and milling said mix to a homogeneous condition,(b) forming the mix to a preliminary powder shape, said forming including exerting pressure on the mix,(c) and heating and transferring said powder shape to a hot refractory particle matrix and pressurizing said matrix so as to consolidate and densify the powder shape and to diffusion bond the powders into a solid body,(d) whereby the body may be subjected to a subsequent heat treatment serving to develop the uniformity, the grain structure, and the properties required in the alloy body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for preparing metal-embedded porous metallic-hydride (pmh) compacts capable of withstanding repeated hydriding-dehydring cycles without disintegrating. According to the invention, the finely divided hydridable metal alloy hydride is admixed with a finely divided metal selected from Al, Ni, Cu or other transition metals and charged with hydrogen. The resulting mixture is sintered in a furnace in which hydrogen is introduced at a pressure above the equilibrium pressure to the prevailing temperature, mechanical stress being applied simultaneously. The compacts obtained possess outstanding stability, as shown by the fact that they have remained intact even after more than 6000 cycles.

Abstract: A process for making a mechanical part of a complicated profile by preparing a compact having a projection or shaft (hereinafter called the inner part) and a compact having relative recess or opening (hereinafter called the outer part) by the compression of iron base metal powders, and by fitting the inner part into the outer part followed by sintering. This process is characterized in that the said inner part contains carbon as an essential component in an amount that is larger than the carbon content of the said outer part by 0.2% by weight or higher.

Abstract: An inert electrode connection is disclosed wherein a layer of inert electrode material is bonded to a layer of conductive material by providing at least one intermediate layer of material therebetween comprising a predetermined ratio of inert material to conductive material. In a preferred embodiment, the connection is formed by placing in a die a layer of powdered inert material, at least one layer of a mixture of powdered inert material and conductive material, and a layer of powdered conductive material. The connection is then formed by pressing the material at 15,000-20,000 psi to form a powder compact and then densifying the powder compact in an inert or reducing atmosphere at a temperature of 1200.degree.-1500.degree. C.

Abstract: A powder metallurgical method of consolidating iron-based alloy powder, particularly white cast iron, to form a body of high density in which the powder is thermally cycled above and below the alpha-gamma transformation temperature of below 800.degree. C., and a stress of between 1.7 MPa and 34.5 MPa is simultaneously applied to the powder to form a high density consolidated body.

Abstract: A tubular composite element of metal, particularly steel, whereby at least the two opposite ends of the tubular composite element consist of different materials, for example carbon steel and stainless steel, and a process and a pressing for simultaneously producing two or more of such composite elements, at least two powders each consisting of one of the different materials, which have been produced by atomizing melts of the materials in question, are introduced alternately and separately from one another into three or more sections each extending over a predetermined axial length of a metallic hollow cylindrical casing and are condensed by vibration and/or ultrasound to around 60 to 70% of the theoretical density and by cold isostatic pressing of the closed casing under a pressure of at least about 3000 bars to at least 80% of the theoretical density and the pressing thus obtained is heated, subsequently hot-extruded to form a tube and the tube thus formed is divided up into the two or more composite element

Abstract: The method of forming a lining in the cavities of a body by application of powdered metal consolidated and bonded thereon by a hot isostatic pressing process. A space lining the cavities in the body is provided by tubular members, one intersecting with the other or in close spaced relation thereto, powdered metal fills the space, a vacuum is drawn on the space, the body is subjected to forming conditions and then the body cavities are machined to their final shape with such machining generally removing the tubular members.

Abstract: A process and a product produced thereby, for forming rod or bar or tube stock or strip, comprising a sheath and a densified dispersion strengthened metal core. Powdered dispersion strengthened copper is put into a metal can and compressively reduced to size and density. The relationship between the tensile strength of the core when fully densified and the cold worked tensile strength of the can is important to the nature of the product.

Abstract: An object of ceramic or metallic material is manufactured by isostatic pressing of a body preformed from a powder of the metallic or ceramic material, the preformed body (10) then being embedded in glass, for example in a mass of glass particles (16) in a vessel (15) which is resistant to the temperature at which the sintering of the metallic or ceramic material is carried out, the material embedding the preformed body being transferred to a melt having a surface limited by the walls of the vessel, below which surface the preformed body is located, and a pressure necessary for the isostatic pressing of the preformed body then being applied on the melt by a gaseous pressure medium.

Abstract: A sealed container (10) of metal material is filled with powdered metal through a fill passageway (14) and sealed with a steel ball (24) forced into the fill passageway (14) of the container (10) while the container (10) is under a vacuum environment. Thereafter, a second cylindrical sealing plug (32) is forced into the fill passageway (14) to engage the first spherical sealing plug (24) and has a gas passageway (34) therein for allowing the escape of gases between the two plugs as the second plug (34) is forced into the fill passageway (14). The second cylindrical sealing plug is then welded to the container (10) about the upper periphery thereof and the gas hole (34) is sealed by welding so that the cavity (12) remains under a vacuum during the hot consolidating process wherein the container (10) is heated and subjected to pressure which is hydrostatically transmitted by the container to the powder within the cavity (12).

Abstract: New cobalt base alloys containing chromium and carbon are disclosed. The alloys are subjected to rapid solidification processing (RSP) technique which produces cooling rates between 10.sup.5 to 10.sup.7 .degree. C./sec. The as-quenched ribbon, powder etc. consists predominantly of amorphous phase. The amorphous phase is subjected to suitable heat treatments so as to produce a transformation to a microcrystalline alloy which includes carbides; this heat treated alloy exhibits superior mechanical properties for numerous industrial applications.

Abstract: Aluminum alloy atomized powder containing 4 to 15% iron and 1 to 12% cerium or other rare earth metal, when properly compacted and shaped into a useful article, exhibits very high strength at relatively high temperatures. The iron content exceeds the cerium or rare earth metal content, and the powder may contain refractory elements such as W, Mo and others. The powder is produced by atomizing alloyed molten aluminum, preferably in a nonoxidizing atmosphere, and is compacted to a density approaching 100% under controlled conditions including controlled temperature conditions. The alloy may be subsequently shaped by conventional forging, extruding or rolling processes.

Abstract: A process for making a workpiece suitable for being hot worked to produce a wrought metal poduct is described. Aluminum alloy powder is cold compacted and then heated in an inert environment to provide a sinter-sealed shape. The resultant workpiece may then be subjected to conventional processing to produce the desired wrought product.

Abstract: A method for producing a machinable, high strength hot formed powdered ferrous base metal alloy is provided which comprises providing a particulate mixture consisting of, in weight percent, from about 1.0 to about 3.0 percent copper, from about 0.16 to about 0.35 percent sulfur, from about 0.4 to about 0.8 percent carbon, with the balance being iron plus from 0 to about 2 percent incidental impurities; forming this particulate mixture into a preformed article having a predetermined configuration; sintering the so-formed article at a temperature sufficient to produce the desired alloy; and subjecting the sintered article to a hot forming treatment to produce a hot formed, machinable, high strength ferrous base powdered metal alloy article having a density near theoretical.

Abstract: An object of ceramic or metallic material is manufactured by isostatic pressing of a body preformed from a powder of the metallic or ceramic material, the preformed body (10) then being embedded in glass, for example in a mass of glass particles (16) in a vessel (15) which is resistant to the temperature at which the sintering of the metallic or ceramic material is carried out, the material embedding the preformed body being transferred to a melt having a surface limited by the walls of the vessel, below which surface the preformed body is located, and a pressure necessary for the isostatic pressing of the preformed body then being applied on the melt by a gaseous pressure medium.

Abstract: Aluminum alloy atomized or other powder is compacted and shaped into a useful article including heating the compact rapidly by induction heating techniques. Such rapid induction heating results in improved strength or toughness properties without substantial penalty in elongation, thereby rendering the product so produced more useful in high strength applications. The product so produced may be subsequently shaped by forging, extruding or rolling processes.

Abstract: A porous sintered body, preferably a filter or filter material, with good corrosion resistance and with a pore volume which can be predicted within specified comparatively narrow limits, is made by loose sintering of a preferably gas-atomized spherical powder a ferritic-austenitic stainless steel.

Abstract: A molded, non-refractory metal article is made by molding in a flexible mold a plastic mixture of non-refractory, spherical metal powders and a heat-fugitive binder comprising thermoplastic material to form a green article of predetermined shape and dimensions, heating the green article to remove said binder and consolidate the non-refractory spherical powders in the form of a porous, monolithic skeleton of necked particles of non-refractory metal, infiltrating the skeleton with a molten metal having a melting point that is at least 25.degree. C. less than the melting point of the lowest melting of said spherical, non-refractory metal particles, and cooling the infiltrated skeleton thereby forming a homogeneous, void-free, non-refractory metal article of two intermeshed metal matrices.