Abstract: The present invention belongs to the technical field of high throughput preparation and hot working of materials, and in particular to a high throughput micro-synthesis method of multi-component materials based on the temperature gradient field controlled by microwave energy. This invention, characterized by flexible material selection, quick temperature rising and high-efficient heating, uses microwave heating both to achieve quick preparation of small block combinatorial materials under the same temperature field in one time and to realize micro-synthesis under the different temperature gradient fields in one time including high-throughput sintering-melting and heat treatment of materials. This invention successfully overcomes drawbacks of current material preparation, such as unitary combination of components, low-efficient external heating, unique control temperature, huge material consumption and high cost during material preparation and heat treatment.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method is described. The method may include ionizing a plasma gas to generate a plasma in a plasma source and accelerating the plasma toward a work surface. The method may further include adding a material to the plasma, thereby melting the material and accelerating the melted material toward the work surface. The method may further include depositing successive layers of the melted material on the work surface to form a three-dimensional object. Each of the successive layers may correspond to one of a number of planar slices of the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing tooth parts from dental-grade metal powder, wherein existing CAD/CAM milling machines can be used. The essential process steps consist of: a) preparing a slurry from dental-grade metal powder, b) casting the slurry into a mold, c) drawing out (drying) suspension liquid (water) until a mechanically stable blank is obtained, d) milling the blank into the desired shape, e) oxygen-free sintering of the tooth parts milled from the blank. Because the blank is still present as a green body, milling does not place great demands on the milling machine in terms of mechanical stability and dust development. As a result, the operating speed and the service lives of customary milling machines are substantially increased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing components consisting of magnesium or magnesium alloy by sintering. This process makes it possible, for the first time, to produce components consisting of magnesium or magnesium alloy which provide outstanding elasticity together with a sufficient strength. Materials of this type can be used as biocompatible endosseous implant materials.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of producing a sinter-hardened component from a metallic powder containing chromium which is pre-alloyed in particular, comprising the steps of compacting the powder to form a green compact and then sintering the green compact in a reducing sintering atmosphere at a sintering temperature in excess of 1100° C. A gas containing carbon is added to the sintering atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of improving the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) of a high-efficiency thermoelectric material is disclosed. The method includes the addition of fullerene (C60) clusters between the crystal grains of the material. It has been found that the lattice thermal conductivity (?L) of a thermoelectric material decreases with increasing fullerene concentration, due to enhanced phonon-large defect scattering. The resulting power factor (S2/?) decrease of the material is offset by the lattice thermal conductivity reduction, leading to enhanced ZT values at temperatures of between 350 degrees K and 700 degrees K.

Abstract: A controlled combustion synthesis apparatus comprises an ignition system, a pressure sensor for detecting internal pressure, a nitrogen supply, a gas pressure control valve for feeding nitrogen and exhausting reaction gas, means for detecting the internal temperature of the reaction container, a water cooled jacket, and a cooling plate. A temperature control system controls the temperature of the reaction container by controlling the flow of cooling water supplied to the jacket and the cooling plate in response to the detected temperature. By combustion synthesizing, while controlling the internal pressure and temperature, the apparatus can synthesize a silicon alloy including 30-70 wt. % silicon, 10-45 wt. % nitrogen, 1-40 wt. % aluminum, and 1-40 wt % oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reducing agent for low temperature reducing and sintering of copper nanoparticles and a method for low temperature sintering using the same. The reducing agent includes formic acid or acetic acid and C1 to C3 alcohol or ether which allows reducing and sintering at a low temperature of less than 250° C. The sintered copper nanoparticles provide excellent electrical properties and are suitable for forming fine wirings patterns.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of producing a porous metal body containing a metal component which is likely to be oxidized, by which process the amounts of residual carbon and residual oxygen therein are decreased, and by which the performance of the product porous body can be largely promoted. The process for producing a porous metal body by sintering a material of the porous metal body, which material is obtained by coating a slurry containing a metal powder and an organic binder on an organic porous aggregate, comprises a defatting step of treating the material of the porous metal body at a temperature not higher than 650° C.

Abstract: A cemented carbide cutting tool insert/button for mining and construction comprising hard constituents in a binder phase of Co and/or Ni and at least one surface portion and an interior portion in which surface portion the grain size is smaller than in the interior portion is disclosed. The surface portion with the smaller grain size has a lower binder phase content than the interior portion. A method to form the cemented carbide cutting tool insert/button is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reducing agent for low temperature reducing and sintering of copper nanoparticles and a method for low temperature sintering using the same. The reducing agent includes formic acid or acetic acid and C1 to C3 alcohol or ether which allows reducing and sintering at a low temperature of less than 250° C. The sintered copper nanoparticles provide excellent electrical properties and are suitable for forming fine wirings patterns.

Abstract: A method for making a ductile and porous shape memory alloy (SMA) using spark plasma sintering, and an energy absorbing structure including a ductile and porous SMA are disclosed. In an exemplary structure, an SMA spring encompasses a generally cylindrical energy absorbing material. The function of the SMA spring is to resist the bulging of the cylinder under large compressive loading, thereby increasing a buckling load that the cylindrical energy absorbing material can accommodate. The SMA spring also contributes to the resistance of the energy absorbing structure to an initial compressive loading. Preferably, the cylinder is formed of ductile, porous and super elastic SMA. A working prototype includes a NiTi spring, and a porous NiTi cylinder or rod.

Abstract: A particle (10) of ferromagnetic powder for use in preparation of soft magnetic core components has a core-shell structure. The particle includes a central core (12) and a shell (14) coated on the central core. The central core is made of magnetic material and is used for providing the necessary magnetic property for the magnetic core components made from the ferromagnetic powder. The shell has a higher electrical resistance than the central core so as to reduce an eddy current loss of the magnetic core component. The shell also functions to provide an excellent bonding strength between particles of the powder.

Abstract: Methods of forming sintered valve metal are described. The methods involve sintering a valve metal such as tantalum or niobium in the presence of an iodine source. The method optionally includes deoxidizing the metal using the same equipment used in sintering and/or as a combined step. The sintered valve metal formed by the methods of the present invention preferably has relatively large pores and other properties desirable for making capacitors that have high capacitance and low leakage.

Abstract: A photo-conductor layer for constituting a radiation imaging panel, which photo-conductor layer is capable of recording radiation image information as an electrostatic latent image, is produced. The photo-conductor layer contains a Bi12MO20 sintered material, in which M represents at least one kind of element selected from the group consisting of Ge, Si, and Ti. Sintering processing for the formation of the Bi12MO20 sintered material is performed in an inert gas, atmosphere. Alternatively, the sintering processing is performed at a sintering temperature falling within the range of 800° C. to 900° C. and in an atmosphere, in which an oxygen partial pressure PO2 (Pa) satisfies the condition 10?3?PO2?10?1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to silicon nitride mould parts, particularly crucibles for use in connection with directional solidification and pulling of silicon single crystals. The mould parts consist of Si3N4 having a total open porosity between 40 and 60% by volume and where more than 50% of the pores in the surface of the mould parts have a size which is larger than the means size of the Si3N4 particles. The invention further relates to a method for producing the silicon nitride mould parts.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing a magnetostrictive element, capable of assuredly producing a magnetostrictive element by powder metallurgy. In a container for sintering 10, a compact 100 is sintered into a magnetostrictive element having a composition of SmFe2 while held by a support 20 of SmFe2 or Nb stable during the sintering step. The support 20 is composed of particles coming into contact with the compact 100 at multiple points, to control fusion-bonding between the support 20 and the compact 100 to a limited extent.

Abstract: A powder molding product may be formed by a forming portion in a mold body filled with a raw powder. Upper and lower punches are fitted into the forming portion to form the powder molding product. Prior to filling with the raw powder, aqueous solution in which water soluble lubricant having at least 3 g of solubility for 100 g of water is dissolved in water to uniform phase is applied to a mold portion. The aqueous solution is evaporated, thus forming a crystallized layer on the molding portion. The crystallized layer is formed on the peripheral surface of the molding portion for lubrication enabling the reducing of a pressure required for ejecting the powder molding product from the molding portion as well as the improving of the density of the powder molding product.

Abstract: Methods of forming sintered valve metal are described. The methods involve sintering a valve metal such as tantalum or niobium in the presence of an iodine source. The method optionally includes deoxidizing the metal using the same equipment used in sintering and/or as a combined step. The sintered valve metal formed by the methods of the present invention preferably has relatively large pores and other properties desirable for making capacitors that have high capacitance and low leakage.

Abstract: A sintered, magnetically soft composite is proposed, especially for use in solenoid valves, and a process for producing such a composite, in which initially a starting mixture from which the magnetically soft composite is formed after sintering is produced, having a ferromagnetic, especially powdery first starting component (11) as main constituent, and a ferritic second starting component (12) as secondary constituent, as well as possibly a pressing aid. After the starting mixture is sintered, the second starting component (12) is present in the produced composite at least largely as grain boundary phase. The proposed manufacturing process includes the process steps: provision of the starting mixture; mixing of the starting mixture; compression of the starting mixture in a cavity mold under increased pressure; removal of the binder from the compressed starting mixture; and sintering of the compressed starting mixture to form the composite.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sintering ferroalloy materials in a continuously operated band sintering process, in which method the pellets to be sintered are arranged on the sintering underlay as an essentially even pellet bed, which pellet bed is conveyed on the sintering underlay through the various steps of the sintering process, and in connection with the sintering process, gas is conducted through the pellet bed. According to the invention, at least the major part of the carbon-bearing material needed for heating the pellet bed up to the sintering temperature is fed onto the surface of ready-made pellets prior to bringing the pellets to the sintering step.

Abstract: In a sintering method and apparatus for silver clay according to the present invention, wherein a silver clay composition can be readily and easily sintered by exposing a silver clay composition obtained by molding and sintering a silver clay to a flame of a solid alcohol fuel to sinter the silver clay composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an nickel-poor austenitic steel containing iron and the following components: manganese: less than 9.0% by weight; chrome: less than 16 and a maximum of 22% by weight; nitrogen: more than 0.30 and a maximum of 0.70% by weight; carbon: more than 0.08 and a maximum of 0.30% by weight and silicon: less than 2.0% by weight. The invention also relates to the production and utilization of said steel.

Abstract: In accordance with the method according to the present invention, particles consisting of ferrotitanium, ferroniobium or ferrovanadium are dispersed and hot compacted in a metal matrix powder consisting of hardening steel or heat-resistant alloys. In so doing, titanium, niobium or vanadium carbide is obtained in situ by a solid-state reaction, i.e. without melting, from the carbon admixed or contained in the matrix powder and the ferroalloy particles. Carbon can also be absorbed from the gaseous phase and it may be substituted by nitrogen. This method permits a reasonably-priced introduction of hard particles into the composite material, the hard particles having a size that is necessary as a protection against scoring wear.

Abstract: The manufacturing technique for powder metallurgy of the invention includes the steps of: mixing ceramic powder with binders, fillings or lubricants for casting a body; forming a microwave-absorbent body using molding, extrusion, forging, injection or doctor blade; placing the body into a microwave oven for heating and debinding; placing the half-finished product after debinding in a sintering oven for sintering the debinded half-finished product; and finally obtaining a finished product after sintering and temperature lowering.

Abstract: A method of producing a copper-base sintered bearing material is provided so that it is sintered with high thermal efficiency. As a heat source for a sintering furnace, an electric resistance heater which heats a furnace atmosphere and/or a high frequency induction heater, is provided, and also a microwave oscillating device which irradiates microwaves to copper alloy powder to be sintered is provided therewith. A steel sheet, which is a steel backing metal, can be heated by an electric resistance heater and/or a high frequency induction heater, and the copper alloy powder can be heated directly by microwaves.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a niobium sintered body free of reduction in the CV value, a niobium powder for use in the manufacture of the niobium sintered body, and a capacitor using the niobium sintered body. A niobium powder of the present invention has niobium and tantalum, where the tantalum is present in an amount at most of about 700 ppm by mass. A sintered body and a capacitor each is manufactured using the niobium powder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the dioxin content of the off-gas in operating a sintering plant, in which prior to sintering a material catalytically active in decomposing dioxins and in the form of fine grains or dust is admixed. The admixed catalytically active material prevents the fresh formation of dioxins and reduces the content of dioxins in the off-gas flowing through the material for sintering. The catalytically active material) is incorporated in the agglomerate of material for sintering which is forming and can be disposed of reliably and without danger via the slag formed in the following blast-furnace process.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermoelectric material comprising mixing at least two of bismuth, tellurium, selenium, and antimony and, if desired, a dopant, melting the mixture, grinding the resulting alloy ingot, forming the powder, and sintering the green body under normal pressure, or hot pressing the powder, wherein the grinding and the normal sintering or hot pressing are carried out in the presence of a solvent represented by CnH2n+1OH or CnH2n+2CO (wherein n is 1, 2 or 3).

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a sintered body of carbonitride alloy with titanium as main component which does not have a binder phase layer on the surface after sintering. This is obtained by performing the liquid phase sintering step of the process at 1-80 mbar of CO gas in the sintering atmosphere.

Abstract: High emissivity molybdenum silicide-containing ceramic and metal-ceramic products are provided, especially for use as heaters in rapid solidification processing (RSP) and rapid thermal processing (RTP). Novel designs incorporating such heaters are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to bullets having increased frangibility (or which can be easily fragmented) and to materials and processes for the manufacture of such bullets. The bullets of the present invention are typically made from copper or copper alloy powders (including brass, bronze and dispersion strengthened copper) which are pressed and then sintered under conditions so as to obtain bullets with the desired level of frangibility. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the bullets also contain several additives that increase or decrease their frangibility.

Abstract: A titanium-based carbonitride cutting tool insert with superior thermal shock resistance is disclosed. This is accomplished by sintering the material under conditions where the melting process is reversed. The melt forms in the center of the material first and the melting front propagates outwards towards the surface. This leads to minimal porosity and a macroscopic cobalt depletion towards the surface. The cobalt depletion, in turn, leads to a favorable compressive residual stress in the surface zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to ZrB.sub.2 /Cu composites, and more specifically to methods of making ZrB.sub.2 /Cu composite electrodes and methods of using ZrB.sub.2 /Cu composite electrodes. ZrB.sub.2 powder is contacted with a polymer and shaped to a desired form. The polymer is vaporized and the ZrB/.sub.2 powder is sintered. The sintered ZrB.sub.2 is contacted with Cu and heated above the melting point of Cu which causes the Cu to infiltrate the ZrB.sub.2, forming the ZrB.sub.2 /Cu composite electrode.

Abstract: Thermoelectric material for high temperature use made of a sintered body of a relative density of at least 75% consisting mainly of cobalt antimony compounds having an elemental ratio Sb/(Co+additives)=x of 2.7<x<3 is produced by a method of firing a shaped body of powders consisting mainly of cobalt and antimony in a non-oxidizing atmosphere under an environmental pressure, wherein the shaped body before the firing is constituted from crystal phases composed of a cubic crystal system compound CoSb.sub.3 (A phase), a monoclinic crystal system compound CoSb.sub.2 (B phase) and a hexagonal crystal system compound CoSb (C phase), and constitutional ratio of these crystal phases is (I.sub.B +I.sub.C)/(I.sub.A +I.sub.B +I.sub.C)<0.15 (wherein, I.sub.X (X is A, B or C) is a relative intensity by X-ray diffraction).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high-temperature precision sintering applications are disclosed wherein a flowable bed of a refractory particulate material is used to support an article during sintering to minimize distortions caused by shrinkage.

Abstract: An inventive method for electrical and thermal electronic component attachment is disclosed. The combination of transient liquid phase sintering (TLPS) and a permanent adhesive flux binder provides the advantages of both conventional soldering technology and conductive adhesives. This hybrid approach delivers electrical and thermal conduction through sintered metal joints and mechanical properties based on a tailorable polymer matrix. These transient liquid phase sintering conductive adhesives can utilize conventional dispensing, placement, and processing equipment. During the reflow process, metal powders in the composition undergo interparticle sintering as well as alloying to the contact pads. This process produces a strong mechanical, thermal, and electrical interconnect which ensures good conductivity that is also resistant to humidity and temperature cycling.

Abstract: A sintered friction material includes a copper alloy base and hard particles. The copper alloy base includes copper and at least one of, and preferably both, Zn and Ni within a total range of 5 to 40 wt % of the copper alloy base. The hard particles are uniformly dispersed in a matrix formed by the original composite copper alloy powder constituting the base, in a content amount within a range of 10 to 30 wt % of the friction material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing tantalum capacitors includes preparing a tantalum compact by cold pressing tantalum powder, placing the compact, along with loose refractory metal powder, in a microwave-transparent casket to form an assembly, and heating the assembly for a time sufficient to effect at least partial sintering of the compact and the product made by the method.

Abstract: A sintered contact material comprising silver and nickel is characterized according to the invention in that the mass fraction of nickel is between 5 and 50%, and in that the nickel is present in the silver microstructure with average particle sizes (d) 1 .mu.m<d<10 .mu.m in largely homogeneous dispersion. A suitable method for preparing said sintered contact material is characterized in that, prior to sintering the nickel is introduced, in the way of mechanical alloying, into the silver microstructure, this operation taking place under an air atmosphere. Contact facings manufactured therefrom can be formed as strips or sections by means of extrusion, as individual contact pieces by means of a shaped part technique, and in each case as a two-layer structure.

Abstract: A process for preparing a metallic porous body, comprising: forming a layer comprising Cu, a Cu alloy, or a precursor thereof onto a skeleton composed of a porous resin body having a three-dimensional network, heat-treating the resin body with the layer formed thereon to remove a heat-decomposable organic component, thereby forming a porous metallic skeleton of Cu or a Cu alloy; and plating the surface of the Cu or Cu alloy skeleton with Ni or an Ni alloy. The heat treating may be carried out by direct induction heating. The metallic porous body is useful as electrodes for batteries, various filters, carriers for catalysts, etc. When the porous body is cut and used as the electrode substrate, the coating of an area, where Cu or its alloy has been exposed by cutting or the like, with a third metal having a lower ionization tendency than Cu or its alloy can provide an electrode substrate having better corrosion resistance and battery service life.

Abstract: Fe-based alloy powder suitable for manufacturing sintered products with excellent corrosion resistance for example, which comprises by weight percentage of not more than 0.03% of C; not more than 2% of Si; not more than 0.5% of Mn; from 8 to 28% of Ni; from 15 to 25% of Cr; from 3 to 8% of Mo; optionally at least one of not more than 5% of Cu; not more than 3 % of Sn; not more than 2% of Nb and not more than 2% of Ti; and the balance being Fe and incidental impurities. The Fe-based alloy powder is sintered in an inert gas such as Ar or H.sub.2, or in an atmosphere of N.sub.2 with pressure of 1 to 10 torr after being compacted. A sintered compact sintered in an atmosphere of N.sub.2 with pressure of higher than 10 torr and not higher than 200 torr is cooled at cooling rate of higher than 50.degree. C./min.

Abstract: Prepare boron carbide-aluminum structural composites by infiltrating molten aluminum or aluminum alloy into a porous preform that is either unbaked or baked at a temperature of up to 1800.degree. C. to form a densified cermet and then heat treat the cermet in air or an oxygen-containing atmosphere to form a dense outer surface layer of aluminum oxide. The resulting structural cermets can withstand prolonged exposure to temperatures above the melting point of aluminum without suffering undue degradation of physical properties such as flexure strength.

Abstract: In a method for the manufacture of an encased high critical temperature superconducting wire by the "powder in tube" method, prior to the introduction of a compressed rod of superconducting material into a silver tube, the rod is heat treated so that grains of unwanted phase are reabsorbed. The tube can be drawn more easily, and strands can be produced with a regular geometry and no defects. The wire is constituted by 15 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m thick filaments (30) with a form factor of more than 60.

Abstract: A powder of tantalum, niobium, or an alloy thereof, having an oxygen content less than about 300 ppm, and the production thereof without exposure to a temperature greater than about 0.7 T.sub.H. A powder metallurgy formed product of tantalum, niobium, or an alloy thereof, having an oxygen content less than about 300 ppm, and the production thereof without exposure to a temperature greater than about 0.7 T.sub.H.

Abstract: A method of producing parts from two distinct classes of materials utilizes depositing a first class material and a second class material on a deposition surface where the first class material forms a three-dimensional shape defined by the interface of the first class material and the second class material. The first class material is unified and the second class material is removed therefrom to form a three-dimensional part of the first class material. Preferably, the first and second class materials are deposited in layers.

Abstract: A process of coining sintered articles of powder metal comprising: blending carbon, ferro manganese, and lubricant with compressible elemental iron powder, pressing the blended mixture to form the articles, high temperature sintering of the articles in a reducing atmosphere and then coining the sintered articles to final shape so as to narrow the tolerance variability of coined articles and substantially eliminate secondary operations.

Abstract: A high strength titanium alloy or titanium aluminide metal foil having improved strength and density is produced, preferably in coilable strip form, by plasma-depositing the selected titanium-based material on a receiving surface, separating the deposited material from the receiving surface to provide two metal foil preforms each having a relatively smooth side as cast against the receiving surface and a relatively rough, opposite side as deposited from the plasma, disposing the two metal preforms together with the relatively rough sides of the two metal preforms in facing engagement with each other, and squeezing the two preforms together between pressure bonding rolls to metallurgically bond the preforms to each other and to consolidate the materials of the preforms to form a fully dense metal foil.

Abstract: An INVAR 36 material having long-term dimensional stability is produced by sintering a blend of powders of nickel and iron under pressure in an inert atmosphere to form an alloy containing less than 0.01 parts of carbon and less than 0.1 part aggregate and preferably 0.01 part individually of Mn, Si, P, S, and Al impurities. The sintered alloy is heat treated and slowly and uniformly cooled to form a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 1 ppm/.degree.C. and a temporal stability of less than 1 ppm/year.