Abstract: The invention relates to a product and a process for fabricating a 1D, 2D, or 3D layered micro or nano component that comprises providing an electrode having a micro-scale or nano-scale tip, and applying electric current to the electrode tip in the presence of a micro-scale or nano-scale powder.

Abstract: A process for producing an ordered martensitic iron nitride powder that is suitable for use as a permanent magnetic material is provided. The process includes fabricating an iron alloy powder having a desired composition and uniformity; nitriding the iron alloy powder by contacting the material with a nitrogen source in a fluidized bed reactor to produce a nitride iron powder; transforming the nitride iron powder to a disordered martensitic phase; annealing the disordered martensitic phase to an ordered martensitic phase; and separating the ordered martensitic phase from the iron nitride powder to yield an ordered martensitic iron nitride powder.

Abstract: A process is described for the sintering of powders (D) comprising conductive powders, loose or in the form of powder compacts, that comprises the operations of: inserting said powders (D) in a mold (23; 33, 34); applying (5, 6) a pressure (P(t)) to said powders (D) in said mold (23; 33, 34) commanding (4) nominal pressure values to pressure application devices (5, 6) to said powders (D); applying (1, 2, 3, 4) one or more current impulses (Ii) to said powders (D) in said mold (23; 33, 34) for a respective time interval of predetermined duration (tf), wherein said nominal pressure values (P(t)) commanded said pressure application devices (5, 6) defining an increment of pressure (P1) from a first pressure, value (P0) to a second pressure value (Pj) greater | than said first pressure value (P0) and said increment in the pressure (P4) being applied in a synchronized way with respect to the initiation of said time interval of predetermined duration (tf) of the current impulse (Ii)o.

Abstract: It is an objective of the present invention to provide an aluminum porous body which is formed of a pure aluminum and/or aluminum alloy base material and has excellent sinterability and high dimensional accuracy without employing metal stamping. There is provided an aluminum porous body having a relative density of from 5 to 80% with respect to the theoretical density of pure aluminum, in which the aluminum porous body contains 50 mass % or more of aluminum (Al) and from 0.001 to 5 mass % of at least one selected from chlorine (Cl), sodium (Na), potassium (K), fluorine (F), and barium (Ba). It is preferred that the aluminum porous body further contains from 0.1 to 20 mass % of at least one selected from carbon (C), silicon carbide (SiC), iron (II) oxide (FeO), iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3), and iron (II,III) oxide (Fe3O4).

Abstract: A self-renewing cutting tool or cutting element is formed by bonding an overcoat, cladding or layer of highly abrasive, very durable material on a surface of a substrate or load-bearing element. The cutting layer is a composite structure and includes appropriately sized, multi-edged pieces of a superhard material, such as tungsten carbide, dispersed in a softer material which produces high strength bonds between and among the pieces and the substrate or load-bearing element.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a molybdenum sputtering target for a back electrode of a CIGS solar cell is provided to minimize thermal activating reaction by employing an electric discharge plasma sintering process. The method for manufacturing a molybdenum sputtering target for a back electrode of a CIGS solar cell comprises the steps of: charging molybdenum powder in a mold of graphite material, mounting the mold in a chamber of an electric discharge sintering apparatus, making a vacuum in the chamber, forming the molybdenum powder to the final target temperature while maintaining constant pressure on the molybdenum powder, heating the molybdenum powder in a predetermined heating pattern when reaching the final target temperature, maintaining the final target temperature for 1 to 10 minutes, and cooling the inside of the chamber while maintaining a constant pressure.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for obtaining a metal implant for open porosity tissue support and/or replacement, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: (i) selecting a mould, (ii) arranging in the mould a solid metal core (7), (iii) filling the volume of the mould (1) still available with a powder of microspheres (3), (iv) consolidating the microspheres (3) with each other as well as with said at least one solid core (7) by electrical discharge sintering.

Abstract: An automotive engine component and method of producing the same. The method uses dynamic magnetic compaction to form components, such as camshaft lobes, with non-axisymmetric and related irregular shapes. A die is used that has an interior profile that is substantially similar to the non-axisymmetric exterior of the component to be formed such that first and second materials can be placed into the die prior to compaction. The first material is in powder form and can be placed in the die to make up a first portion of the component being formed, while a second material can be placed in the die to make up a second portion of the component. The second material, which may possess different tribological properties from those of the first material, can be arranged in the die so that upon formation, at least a portion of the component's non-axisymmetric exterior profile is shaped by or includes the second material.

Abstract: A method of forming a sintered nickel-titanium-rare earth (Ni—Ti-RE) alloy includes adding one or more powders comprising Ni, Ti, and a rare earth constituent to a powder consolidation unit comprising an electrically conductive die and punch connectable to a power supply. The one or more powders are heated at a ramp rate of about 35° C./min or less to a sintering temperature, and pressure is applied to the powders at the sintering temperature, thereby forming a sintered Ni—Ti-RE alloy.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to nanocomposite thermoelectric materials that exhibit enhanced thermoelectric properties. The nanocomposite materials include two or more components, with at least one of the components forming nano-sized structures within the composite material. The components are chosen such that thermal conductivity of the composite is decreased without substantially diminishing the composite's electrical conductivity. Suitable component materials exhibit similar electronic band structures. For example, a band-edge gap between at least one of a conduction band or a valence band of one component material and a corresponding band of the other component material at interfaces between the components can be less than about 5kBT, wherein kB is the Boltzman constant and T is an average temperature of said nanocomposite composition.

Abstract: A concentric-circular-gradient functional material for biogenic use is produced using first, second, third and forth cylindrical partitions, and a cylindrical dice which are concentrically stood on a supporting stand. Ti powder (A) fills the first cylindrical partition. A first mixed powder including Ti powder (A) and biogenic material powder (B) fills between the first and second cylindrical partitions. A second mixed powder including a smaller amount of Ti powder (A) than the first mixed powder fills between the second and third cylindrical partitions. A third mixed powder including a smaller amount of Ti powder (A) than the second mixed powder fills between the third and fourth cylindrical partitions. The biogenic material powder (B) fills between the fourth cylindrical partition and the dice. The first to fourth partitions are pulled out. The dice is capped using a punch. The powders are sintered using a discharge plasma sintering machine.

Abstract: A method for producing an aluminum composite material having a great content of a ceramics with ease. The method (a) mixes an aluminum powder and ceramic particles, to prepare a mixed material, (b) subjects the mixed material to electric pressure sintering together with a metal sheet material, to form a clad material including a sintered product covered with the metal sheet material, and (c) subjects the clad material to a plastic working to prepare an aluminum composite material. In the (b) subjecting, the mixed material is sandwiched between a pair of metal sheets or a powder of the mixed material is held in a metal container, the mixed material is placed in a forming die in a state in which the metal sheet material is pressurized by a punch, and the mixed material is compressed together with the metal sheet material. The metal sheet material is made of aluminum or stainless steel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a profile by extruding powdered metal and/or powdered metal alloys. According to said method, a powder feedstock is heated to an extrusion temperature below the melting temperature of the powder and is expelled under pressure through an opening in a die to form the section. At least one metal or a metal alloy of the powder is a reactive metal that spontaneously forms a natural oxide layer on a free surface and/or the powder contains fibre-type particles that are distributed homogeneously in the powder feedstock and that absorb microwave radiation. The powder feedstock is heated to an extrusion temperature by microwave irradiation. The method permits rapid, uniform heating in all regions of the powder feedstock.

Abstract: A method for preparing highly dense functional oxides with crystallite size in the range of 10-20 nm. Using a high pressure modification of a the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) technique, rapid thermal cycles (<10 min) coupled with very rapid pressure increase up to 1 GPa can be obtained allowing high degree of compaction and very limited grain growth. This combination of techniques was employed to produce the finest-grained ceramics ever prepared in bulk form in the case of fully stabilized zirconia and Sm-doped Ceria.

Abstract: A fabrication method of isotropic and anisotropic NdFeB type permanent magnets is disclosed. In the a fabrication method of isotropic and anisotropic NdFeB type permanent magnets, the isotropic and anisotropic NdFeB type permanent magnets can be easily manufactured by means of Joule's heat using a self resistance of a powder molded body by directly applying a DC (Direct Current) to the upper and lower punches and the powder molded body, without using external heating elements or high frequency coils and so on, during press molding of the permanent magnet powder using the punches, and it is simple in terms of structure during the fabrication thereof, so that the manufacturing cost is low.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method of manufacturing a porous bio-implant having a connecting member integrally formed therewith, and more particularly, to a system and a method of manufacturing a porous bio-implant in which a connecting member is integrally formed by sintering a metal powder by a high voltage instant discharge in the state that the connecting member is inserted in a pyrex tube and then the metal powder is put in the pyrex tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for binder removal and sintering of materials such as ceramic materials and products, LTCC intervals, solid oxide fuel cells and powder metals. A combination of microwave and convection/radiation heating is employed for binder removal and sintering. Preferably, the microwave heating is accomplished using a variable or multi-frequency microwave source. A gas atmosphere is provided in the furnace chamber by one or more eductors which produces a high volume gas circulation in the furnace chamber to achieve a highly uniform gas environment and temperature. The process in accordance with the invention controls the heating cycle, the heat sources and thermal profile depending upon the composition of the particular material being processed. The thermal processing can be accomplished in a batch furnace in which a product is loaded for processing and unloaded after processing.

Abstract: A gas operated part forming die apparatus has compact high tonnage presses which are operated by high pressure gas generated within chambers and controlled to operate high pressure pistons and dies for compressing particulate material into dense formed parts. Combustion chambers are filled with pressurized mixtures of combustible gases and diluents. Elongated chambers have insulating walls and spaced electrodes. Some contain liquid or particulate ablatable materials or ablatable liners. Others extend fuzes between the electrodes and are filled with pressurized gases. Gas is removed from the particulate material. Die cavities may be precompressed during filing of chambers with pressurized gas. Igniting the combustible gases or creating arcs between the electrodes produces rapidly expanding high pressure resultant gases for driving pistons and movable dies and rapidly compressing die cavities. Pressures in the chambers are contained, or pistons are restrained until releasing and driving the pistons.

Abstract: A method for producing a heat-conducting connection between two work pieces (1, 2) includes the steps of first producing a porous sintered layer (3), interposed between the two work pieces (1, 2) and sintered onto every work piece (1, 2) across a certain area, and subsequently compacting the porous sintered layer (3) sintered onto the two work pieces (1, 2) by pressing the two work pieces (1, 2) against each other.

Abstract: A powder material is put into a cylindrical mold and electrodes are brought into contact with the side surface of the mold and a current is applied to sinter the material in the mold while a pressure is applied to the material. In this process, local temperature difference is kept as small as possible. A pair of electrodes are brought into contact with the side circumferential surface of a cylindrical mold (25) filled with a powder material (28) to which a pressure is applied and a current is applied to the mold (25) to heat the powder material (28) in the mold (25) and a sintered body is obtained. In order to sinter the material by the current application through the pair of electrodes, two pairs of electrodes (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) which face each other are all brought into contact with the side surface of the mold (25) and the current is supplied through the electrodes (19) alternately.

Abstract: A method of heating an article with microwave energy is described in which a thin layer of highly microwave absorbent powdered material is provided around at least a portion of a container made of microwave transparent material. The article to be heated is placed at a position within the container where the article is adjacent the thin layer of highly microwave absorbent powdered material, and microwave energy is applied to the container.

Abstract: This invention relates to a transformer and more particularly, to a system and method for making a transformer utilizing dynamic magnetic compaction. A coil is placed in a conductive container, and a conductive powder material, such as ferrite, is placed in the container and surrounds the coil and the turns of the coil. A power supply energizes a capacitor which subsequently provides a high energizing current to a second, energizing coil within which the container, material and inner coil are situated, thereby causing the container, powder materials and coil to be compacted to provide an electrical component, such as a transformer, motor, commutator, rotor or choke.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel thermoelectric semiconductor material having excellent thermoelectric property which is not lowered like a conventional PbTe-based or PbSnTe-based semiconductor material even if a strength is improved by sintering. The thermoelectric semiconductor material of the invention is characterized by having chemical formula AB2X4 (where, A is a simple substance or mixture of Pb, Sn and Ge (IV family elements), B is a simple substance or mixture of Bi and Sb (V family elements), and X is a simple substance or mixture of Te and Se (VI family elements). In this case, a spark plasma sintering device is used to apply a pulsed current through the powder material to cause an electrical discharge among particles of the powder to synthesize the compound AB2X4 having a uniform structure. And, the invention synthesizes a compound, which is to be a thermoelectric semiconductor material, so to have a uniform structure.

Abstract: An electric sintering mold includes a clamping portion for clamping a powder material, the material clamped by the clamping portion being subjected to a pressure from a pressurizer and a pulsating electric current externally supplied, so that joule heat is generated within the material for sintering the material. The mold is formed of material containing metal boride having electroconductivity. An electric sintering apparatus using such mold and an electric sintering method utilizing such apparatus and mold are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of consolidating metal powder to form an object, includes: a) pressing the powder into a preform, and preheating the preform to elevated temperature, b) providing flowable pressure transmitting particles and transmitting microwaves into the particles to heat same, and providing a bed of the flowable and heated pressure transmitting particles, c) positioning the preform in such relation to the bed that the particles substantially encompass the preform, d) and pressurizing the bed to compress said particles and cause pressure transmission to the preform, thereby to consolidate the preform into a desired object shape.

Abstract: Solid reaction products with a dense nanocrystalline structure are formed from reactant particles with diameters in the nano-scale range by compacting the particles into a green body, then passing an electric current through the body causing Joule heating sufficient to initiate the reaction to form the reaction product while simultaneously applying pressure to the reacting body to density it to a density approaching the theoretical density of the pure product. Surprisingly, this process results in a reaction product that retains the nanocrystalline structure of the starting materials, despite the fact that a reaction has occurred and the materials have been subjected to highly stringent conditions of electric current, heat and pressure.

Abstract: A method of bonding a particle material to near theoretical density, includes placing a particle material in a die. In the first stage, a pulsed current of about 1 to 20,000 amps., is applied to the particle material for a predetermined time period, and substantially simultaneously therewith, a shear force of about 5-50 MPa is applied. In the second stage, an axial pressure of about less than 1 to 2,000 MPa is applied to the particle material for a predetermined time period, and substantially simultaneously therewith, a steady current of about 1 to 20,000 amps. is applied. The method can be used to bond metallic, ceramic, intermetallic and composite materials to near-net shape, directly from precursors or elemental particle material without the need for synthesizing the material. The method may also be applied to perform combustion synthesis of a reactive material, followed by consolidation or joining to near-net shaped articles or parts.

Abstract: A process for sintering green powder metal, metal alloy or metal composition parts employing microwave energy is described.

Abstract: A method for preparing a highly dense product from a powdered mixture of reactants, whereby simultaneous application of a high current and pressure enables synthesis and densification of a variety of high temperature materials. The combination of field-activated combustion synthesis and the application of mechanical pressure was employed to produce dense MoSi.sub.2.

Abstract: A method of bonding two or more sintered compacts of tungsten heavy alloys. The method includes the steps of providing two or more sintered compacts of tungsten heavy alloy powder and then positioning the sintered compacts in adjacent alignment in a furnace chamber. A localized induction field is applied only at the juncture of the sintered compacts to bond the sintered compacts and produce a monolithic assembly of sintered compacts having a bond strength substantially equal to the strength of the sintered compacts.

Abstract: A method of free form fabrication of metallic components, typically using computer aided design data, comprises selective laser binding and transient liquid sintering of blended powders. The powder blend includes a base metal alloy, a lower melting temperature alloy, and a polymer binder that constitutes approximately 5-15% of the total blend. A preform part is built up, layer-by-layer, by localized laser melting of the polymer constituent, which rapidly resolidifies to bind the metal particles. The binder is eliminated from the preform part by heating in a vacuum furnace at low atmospheric pressure. The preform part may require support during elimination of the polymer binder and subsequent densification by controlled heat treatment. Densification is performed at a temperature above the melting point of the lower temperature alloy but below the melting point of the base metal alloy to produce transient liquid sintering of the part to near full density with desired shape and dimensional tolerances.

Abstract: Apparatus for the cleaning, especially degreasing, of electrically conductive material (9), for example metal and/or ceramic turning chips and/or grinding sludges, under vacuum conditions, essentially consisting of a container (4) and at least two electrodes (4,5) which are connected to a power supply unit (8), the material (9) to be cleaned being heatable by the two electrodes (4,5) by direct passage of current.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for pressing electrically conductive powders to high-density compacts in dimensionally stable pressing molds, whereby the achievable compression density is greater than 96% and, in many cases, amounts to almost 100% of the theoretical density of suitable materials. For said purpose, static pressing of the powders according to conventional methods is superimposed by a second process step, in which from 1 to 3 electric current pulses of from 5.times.10.sup.-5 to 5.times.10.sup.-2 s duration and high electric power are applied to the punches of the press. As opposed to known methods, no notable sintering of powder of particles occurs in such process. The process is especially suitable for the manufacture of high-density and high-strength, sintered mass-produced components, where compacts are produced on automatic presses with high cycle frequencies.

Abstract: An improved metal matrix composite which, in a preferred embodiment disclosed herein, utilizes boron carbide as the ceramic additive to a base material metal. The metal matrix composite of the present invention begins with the preparation of the boron carbide powder by particle size selection in a jet mill. The resulting powder and metal powder are then mixed by blending of powder of all the various elements such as by means of a conventional blender to uniformly mix powdered substances and avoid stratification and settling. After the particles have been sufficiently mixed, they are degassed and then placed into a die and then into a cylindrical container where the particulates are subjected to extremely high pressures transforming the elements into a solid ingot. It is from these ingots that the extrusion tubes or other articles of manufacture may then be made.

Abstract: A plunger charged as an electrode is received in a trough charged as a counter-electrode in order to heat material in the trough above the annealing temperature of metal material or the sintering temperature of ceramic-material. The trough and plunger are situated in a vacuum chamber separated from a condenser and pump stand by a valve. The plunger can be retracted into a cover of the chamber by a hydraulic drive on the cover. The cover, drive, and plunger are removable from the lower part of the chamber as a unit.

Abstract: A sintered composite comprises capsule-like powder composite particles composed of core particles and an electrically conductive covering material which covers said core particles. The capsule-like powder composite particles are sintered in a sintering mold while pulsed voltages are being applied to the powder composite particles.

Abstract: A method is presented for uniformly heating plastically deformable material, which comprises particles of electrically conducting matter. This method comprises inducing an electric current, or causing hysteresis loss within such material, by using electromagnetic radiation with frequency between about 50 Hertz and about 10 MegaHertz, to cause heating of the material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing ingots for use in making objects having heat, thermal shock, corrosion and wear resistance by formulating a composition of about 17-80% TiB.sub.2 powder, about 0.0 to 4.0% Y.sub.2 O.sub.3 powder, and the balance of NiAl powder, the powders being thoroughly admixed, and placing the admixture into a mold in which it is subjected to a pressure of about 7000 psi and a temperature of about 1400.degree. C. for 20 to 140 minutes in an inert atmosphere, after which the mold is cooled and the ingot is removed and ready for use in manufacturing an object. In some applications the use of a ceramic filler material mixed with the powder is employed to improve the physical characteristics of the finished ingot.

Abstract: A method of consolidating particulate materials or combinations of such materials into shaped products of very low porosity. High compaction pressures are applied at temperatures in the range of sintering temperature of the materials being consolidated to achieve essentially complete densification at extremely rapid processing rates. Electrothermal heating is utilized to accomplish these results. Difficult materials such as silicon carbide, boron carbide and other very high melting point materials may be densified by these techniques.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing sintered Al-Si series alloy parts having complex configurations such as scroll shaped parts wherein Al-Si series alloy powder solidified via rapid cooling prepared by adding effective components such as Si, Cu, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zr and Ce to Al is compression molded, the molded body is sintered by heating via an electrical current conduction in a form of a plasma discharge and then the sintered body is worked by pressing, thereby the parts having complex configurations of light weight, high mechanical strength and toughness is manufactured with a simple installation and reduced processing manhours, and with a high efficiency and at a low cost.

Abstract: A titanium-tungsten target material capable of limiting the amount of particles generated during sputtering and a method of manufacturing this titanium-tungsten material. The titanium-tungsten target material has a titanium-tungsten alloy phase which occupies 98% or more of the whole area of the material as observed in a micro-structure thereof. In one example of the manufacturing method, an ingot obtained by melting tungsten and titanium is processde by a solution treatment to form a titanium-tungsten target, or a power obtained by melting the ingot is sintered to form a target. Preferably, the melting may be performed under reduced pressure in an electron beam melting manner. In another example of the manufacturing method, a powder is formed from a molten metal by an atomization method and the obtained powder is sintered to form a titanium-tungsten target. For sintering of the powder, it is preferable to apply hot isostatic pressing or hot pressing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to apparatus for and improvements in powdered metal consolidation processes, some of which referred to as "electroconsolidation" processes, and more particularly to processes employing specially shaped rams or electrodes and/or other press elements for imparting uniformity of electrical flux and/or pressure to a workpiece.Some embodiments of the improved process of the present invention contemplate controlling the degree of compaction by providing rams which generally conform to the shape of the preform. Such projections may be provided on the rams to selectively develop at least one zone of relatively high compaction within the die chamber, which results in certain embodiments associated with the electroconsolidation process in release of the major portion of the electrical energy within the zone having a relatively high degree of compaction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a permanent magnet which comprises applying one directional pressure and an electric current to an aggregate through a pair of electrodes to cause the aggregate to undergo a plastic deformation thereby to expand an axially projected surface area. The aggregate used is of a type containing alloy flakes interlocked with each other. The alloy flakes are those made of at least one rare earth metal and a ferrous component by the use of a melt quenching process.

Abstract: A process for producing a rare earth element-iron-boron anisotropic magnet that may generate a strong static magnetic field in vacant spaces of a magnetic circuit mounted in a motor is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of placing a billet produced of rapid solidification powder of a rare earth element-iron-boron alloy into a mold cavity, applying a primary pressure to said billet, while allowing a primary current to pass through said billet, applying to said billet a secondary pressure which is increased up to at least five times as much as the primary pressure, and applying a secondary current greater than the primary current through said billet, wherein the billet is finally subjected to plastic deformation at the temperature between the crystalline temperature and 750.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for producing a rare earth-iron-boron magnet, which includes the steps of: (1) charging a melt spun powder of a rare earth-iron-boron magnet into at least one cavity, which is confined by a pair of electrodes inserted into a hole of an electrically non-conductive ceramic die; (2) subjecting the melt spun powder to a non-equilibrium plasma treatment, under a reduced atmosphere of 10.sup.-1 to 10.sup.-3 Torr, while applying a uniaxial pressure of 200 to 500 kgf/cm.sup.2 to the melt spun powder in the direction connecting the electrodes interposed between a pair of thermally insulating members, thereby fusing the melt spun powder; and (3) heating the fused melt spun powder to a temperature higher than or equal to its crystallization temperature by transferring a Joule's heat generated in the thermally insulating members by passing a current through the members to the melt spun powder thereby causing the plastic deformation of the melt spun powder to form a rare earth-iron-boron magnet.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating powders or powder compacts for consolidation in a pressure vessel having a chamber. There is a device for directly induction heating the powder or powder compact. Additionally, the apparatus is comprised of a device for compacting a powder or powder compact. The device for directly induction heating the powder essentially provides uniform heating to the powder while the compacting device compacts the powder or powder compact in the chamber of the pressure vessel. A method for consolidation of powders or powder compacts which has the steps of heating directly by induction the powder or powder compact, and applying an isostatic stress to the powder or powder compact.

Abstract: A component is fabricated by depositing a succession of overlying beads of a material, the pattern and position of the beads being assigned the proper characteristics of the corresponding section of the desired component. Shape definition is accomplished by characterizing the component as a series of sections or slices having the thickness of the bead, and programming a computer-controlled deposition head to deposit a succession of beads with the respective patterns and positions. Deposition is preferably by precision laser welding. Complex shapes having properties comparable to properties of forged or cast material are readily prepared. The material used in successive beads may be varied, producing a component of graded composition to achieve particular properties in various regions.

Abstract: A sintering machine for applying heat and pressure to a die retained between two plate sets, includes a temperature sensor, a position sensor and a pressure sensor which are all connected to a computer for sensing the temperature of and pressure applied to the die, as well as the position of a movable one of the plate sets. This information is used to control a power supply unit which supplies current through the die to heat the die, and a hydraulic press for moving the movable one of the plate sets. Pressure and temperature are controlled in a discontinuous fashion during discrete intervals until a selected final temperature and pressure are reached. This more closely controls the sintering process over earlier systems which applied continously increasing temperature and pressure to the die.

Abstract: The invention includes an isostatic press supply of heat to a workpiece by microwave energy and a method for isostatically pressing a powdered ceramic or powdered metal material that is heated by microwave energy. The isostatic press includes a pressure vessel. A fluid medium is available for supply to the pressure vessel under pressure. The invention further includes a means for transmitting microwave energy into the pressure vessel. The method includes preparing a workpiece comprising a microwave coupler material. Desirably, the workpiece is a composition comprising a powdered coupler or semiconductor and a powdered insulator. The workpiece is immersed in an additional powdered insulator which is transparent to the microwave energy. The workpiece and immersing powdered insulator are contained in a closed, compressible container. The contained, immersed workpiece is then placed into a pressure vessel.

Abstract: A method of consolidating a body in any of initially powdered, sintered, fibrous, sponge, or other form capable of compaction, including the steps: providing a bed of flowable particles within a contained zone, the particulate including flowable and resiliently compressible carbonaceous particles; positioning the body in the bed, to be surrounded by the particles; effecting pressurization of the bed to cause pressure transmission via the particles to said body, thereby to compact the body into desired shape, increasing its density; the particles being heated to elevated temperature prior to compacting of the body into desired shape; and the heating of the particles being effected by passing electric current through same, with heat generated in the particles also to be transferred to the body.The electrically heated mass of particles may be fluidized; the particles may consist of graphite; and the body may consist of metal, ceramic, or synthetic resin.