Including Comminution Patents (Class 75/354)
  • Publication number: 20080091054
    Abstract: A method of synthesizing air-stable nano-scale zero-valent iron (NZVI) particles at room temperature is provided. Also, a method of treating environmental pollutants using nano-scale zero-valent iron synthesized by the above method is provided. According to the method, air-dried NZVI is very effective in removing pollutants such as arsenic, and the method is simple, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and can stabilize the NZVI in air for more than 10 months.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Hee-Chul Choi, Abul Bashar Mohammad Giasuddin, Sushil Raj Kanel
  • Patent number: 7329303
    Abstract: Grinding media, including shaped media such as spheres or rods ranging in size from about 0.5 micron to 100 mm in diameter, are formed from a multi-carbide material consisting essentially of two or more carbide-forming elements and carbon, with or without carbide-forming elements in their free elemental state. The media have extremely high mass density, extreme hardness, and extreme mechanical toughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Primet Precision Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Dobbs
  • Patent number: 7241328
    Abstract: A method for preparing ultra-fine, submicron grain titanium or titanium-alloy articles (78) used for joining or assembling of detail components. Coarse-grained titanium or titanium-alloy materials (52) are severely mechanically deformed using cryogenic milling into an ultra-fine, submicron grain powder, degassed and consolidated under controlled pressure and temperature. The resulting fasteners, articles, or components manufactured from such material have improved material performance characteristics associated with this ultra-fine, submicron grain material structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Steven Glenn Keener
  • Patent number: 7235118
    Abstract: A method and product derived therefrom for consolidating nanoparticles to form particles in a micrometric size distribution. The method preserves the nanoparticles with the resultant micrometric particles. The primary processing operation is milling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Salim Bouaricha, Jean-Gabriel Legoux
  • Patent number: 7138004
    Abstract: A niobium hydride or niobium hydride alloy is ground at a temperature of ?200 to 30° C. in the presence of a dispersion medium to obtain a niobium powder for capacitors, having a low oxygen content, the niobium powder for capacitors is granulated to obtain a niobium granulated product for capacitors, having an average particle size of 10 to 500 ?m, the niobium powder or granulated powder for capacitors is sintered to obtain a sintered body, and a capacitor is fabricated by forming a dielectric material on the surface of the sintered body and providing another part electrode on the dielectric material, whereby a capacitor having good LC characteristics and less dispersed in the LC characteristics is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Kouichi Wada, Yasuo Tsumita, Toshiya Kawasaki, Kazumi Naito, Kazuhiro Omori
  • Patent number: 7108734
    Abstract: The invention concerns a silicon powder for making alkyl- or aryl-halogenosilanes, with particle-size distribution less than 350 ?m, and containing less than 3% and preferably less than 2% of particles having a size less than 5 ?m. Said powder enables to improve efficiency of synthesis reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Rhodia Silicones SAS
    Inventor: Thomas Margaria
  • Patent number: 6939389
    Abstract: The manufacture of pure, fine spherical powders has always been a problem for many materials, particularly for high-melting and highly reactive materials such as titanium, tantalum, vanadium and zirconium. The present invention provides a process and apparatus for producing such powders by rapidly heating course powders containing a gas or gases to near or above their melting point, whereby the contained gas erupts explosively to form many fine particles of the host material. The fine particles are typically, but not necessarily spheroidal, depending upon the process conditions at the time of eruption and immediately thereafter. Methods are described for producing, collecting, handling, storing and passivating said fine powders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventors: Frank Mooney, Fay Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040177723
    Abstract: A method of producing high strength nanophase metal alloy powder by cryomilling metal powder under conditions which cause the formation of intrinsic nitrides, and of producing high strength metal articles by subjecting the nitrided cryomilled powder to thermo-mechanical processing. The intrinsic nitrides present within the alloy significantly reduce grain growth during thermo-mechanical processing, resulting in formed metal products of high strength and improved ductility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Van Daam, Clifford C. Bampton
  • Publication number: 20040168548
    Abstract: A niobium hydride or niobium hydride alloy is ground at a temperature of −200 to 30° C. in the presence of a dispersion medium to obtain a niobium powder for capacitors, having a low oxygen content, the niobium powder for capacitors is granulated to obtain a niobium granulated product for capacitors, having an average particle size of 10 to 500 &mgr;m, the niobium powder or granulated powder for capacitors is sintered to obtain a sintered body, and a capacitor is fabricated by forming a dielectric material on the surface of the sintered body and providing another part electrode on the dielectric material, whereby a capacitor having good LC characteristics and less dispersed in the LC characteristics is obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Kouichi Wada, Yasuo Tsumita, Toshiya Kawasaki, Kazumi Naito, Kazuhiro Omori
  • Patent number: 6780218
    Abstract: A niobium hydride or niobium hydride alloy is ground at a temperature of −200 to 30° C. in the presence of a dispersion medium to obtain a niobium powder for capacitors, having a low oxygen content, the niobium powder for capacitors is granulated to obtain a niobium granulated product for capacitors, having an average particle size of 10 to 500 &mgr;m, the niobium powder or granulated powder for capacitors is sintered to obtain a sintered body, and a capacitor is fabricated by forming a dielectric material on the surface of the sintered body and providing another part electrode on the dielectric material, whereby a capacitor having good LC characteristics and less dispersed in the LC characteristics is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Showa Denko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouichi Wada, Yasuo Tsumita, Toshiya Kawasaki, Kazumi Naito, Kazuhiro Omori
  • Publication number: 20040118244
    Abstract: Produce metal powder, especially titanium powder, offering high purity and uniform granular shape and size, in an economical manner using an apparatus that comprises a pressure-resistant container comprising a high-pressure water tank, an injector nozzle for mixture gas of oxygen and hydrogen, a material element-metal feeder part, an ignition plug and a combustion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Hirata, Yoshio Ueda, Hiaroaki Takase, Kazuaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6673134
    Abstract: A fine flaky copper powder having an average major axis diameter of 4 to 10 &mgr;m and a flakiness of 2 to 20, has a bulk density of 2 to 4 g/cm3 and a BET specific surface area of 0.4 to 1.5 m2/g; A process for producing the copper powder includes introducing a copper slurry into a medium type agitation mill and flattening the powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenzo Hanawa, Kazuaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6585831
    Abstract: A method of making an iron base magnetic material alloy powder includes the steps of: preparing an iron base magnetic material alloy containing at least 50% by mass of iron; and pulverizing the magnetic material alloy using a pin mill. A portion of the mill, which comes into contact with the magnetic material alloy, is made of a cemented carbide material at least partially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Special Metals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Shigemoto, Satoshi Hirosawa
  • Patent number: 6402804
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing metallic fibers. It comprises pre-treating metal powder of a predetermined size such that finally obtained metallic fibers can be separated with ease; elongating the pre-treated metal powder at a predetermined draw ratio by use of compression molding; and separating metallic fibers from the drawn metallic material. The metallic fibers can find various applications in the electrically conducing material industries, including fillers for conducting paints, pastes and plastics, metal catalysts, electrode materials, sound-absorbing plates, and filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Future Metal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Yik Kim, Sung Kyun Kim
  • Patent number: 6387152
    Abstract: In a process of producing nanocrystalline metal hydrides, an elemental metal hydride of a first kind is subjected to a mechanical milling process with at least one elemental metal or at least one additional metal hydride to produce an alloy hydride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: GKSS Forschungszentrum Geesthacht GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Klassen, Wolfgang Oelerich, Rüdiger Bormann, Volker Güther
  • Patent number: 6264719
    Abstract: Titanium based metal matrix composites reinforced with ceramic particulate are well known, based on a blend of titanium alloy powders with ceramic powders, e.g., aluminum oxide powders, utilizing a low energy ball milling process, followed by cold compacting and sintering to produce an appropriate composite. This prior art process is disadvantaged from the point of view that there are virtually no particles in the blend below the micrometer size range, which lack has a deleterious effect on the subsequent processing of the composite. This problem has been overcome by utilizing dry high energy intensive milling in the process, which has the effect of providing the necessary number of small particles below the micrometer size range as well as enhancing the reactivity of different particles with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Titanox Developments Limited
    Inventors: Deliang Zhang, Martyn Rohan Newby
  • Patent number: 6231636
    Abstract: A set of processes for preparing metal powders, including metal alloy powders, by ambient temperature reduction of a reducible metal compound by a reactive metal or metal hydride through mechanochemical processing. The reduction process includes milling reactants to induce and complete the reduction reaction. The preferred reducing agents include magnesium and calcium hydride powders. A process of pre-milling magnesium as a reducing agent to increase the activity of the magnesium has been established as one part of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis H. Froes, Baburaj G. Eranezhuth, Keith Prisbrey
  • Patent number: 6203768
    Abstract: A new, cost effective process for the production of ultrafine particles which is based on mechanically activated chemical reaction of a metal compound with a suitable reagent. The process involves subjecting a mixture of a metal compound and a suitable reagent to mechanical activation to increase the chemical reactivity of the reactants and/or reaction kinetics such that a chemical reaction can occur which produces a solid nano-phase substance. Concomitantly, a by-product phase is also formed. This by-product phase is removed so that the solid nano-phase substance is left behind in the form of ultrafine particles. During mechanical activation a composite structure is formed which consists of an intimate mixture of nano-sized grains of the nano-phase substance and the reaction by-product phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Nano Technologies Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Gerard McCormick, Jun Ding, Wie-Fang Miao, Robert Street
  • Patent number: 6168644
    Abstract: Titanium hydride powder with a maximum particle diameter of substantially 150 &mgr;m or less, the powder with particle diameters of 10 &mgr;m or less being 8% or less by weight, which is produced via step for embrittling a titanium and titanium alloy by hydrogenation, and titanium powder with a maximum particle diameter of which is 150 &mgr;m or less, the powder with particle diameters of 10 &mgr;m or less being 5% or less by weight. In the powder the oxygen content and the chlorine content are reduced, and the flowability and compactibility are excellent. This powder is particularly suitable for a raw material to produce a sintered titanium or titanium alloy product by the powder metallurgy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Toho Titanium Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiichi Fukasawa, Satoshi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 6156289
    Abstract: Method of preparing colored roofing granules (18) from granulated mineral-containing matter having an elemental iron content of about 15% to about 70% is disclosed. The method comprises heating the granules (18) to a temperature of from about 450.degree. C. to about 1,000.degree. C. and maintaining the temperature for a period of time sufficient to effect a color change in the granules. The resulting oxidized granules are permanently colored and will not fade in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Minerals Research & Recovery, Inc.
    Inventors: Manjit S. Chopra, Michael D. Vick
  • Patent number: 6126712
    Abstract: The invention concerns metal powder granulates comprising one or a plurality of the metals Co, Cu, Ni, W and Mo. The invention further concerns a method for the production of these granulates and the use thereof. The production method is characterized in that a metal compound comprising one or a plurality of the groups comprising oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, hydrogenocarbonates, oxalates, acetates, formiates with binder and optionally in addition between 40 and 80% solvent, relative to the solids content, is granulated as the starting component, and the granulates are thermally reduced in a hydrogen-containing gaseous atmosphere to form the metal powder granulates, the binder and the solvent, if used, being removed completely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: H. C. Starck GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Matthias Hohne, Benno Gries
  • Patent number: 5972070
    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 j within a range of 10 to 30 wt % of the friction material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyoshi Kondoh, Yoshishige Takano
  • Patent number: 5902373
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composition and a method for producing a finely ground powder of sponge-iron and hard-phase material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Hoganas AB
    Inventors: Erik Vannman, Lars-.ANG.ke Larsson, Michael Ostgathe, Fritz Thummler
  • Patent number: 5679130
    Abstract: A hydrogen occluded alloy and a process for producing the above alloy are disclosed. The above process mechanically forms the hydrogen occluded alloy having improved initial discharging characteristics. In the above process, either a powdered LaNi.sub.5 alloy or rare earth metals, such as la, Ce, Pr and Nd, and a powdered CaCu.sub.5 alloy of Mm-Mn-Ni-Al-Co alloys is mixed with a powdered Laves alloy of Zr-Mn-V-Cr-Ni alloys into a powdered alloy mixture. Thereafter, the alloy mixture is applied with a mechanical impact by a high energy ball mill with an attritor, thereby mechanically forming the hydrogen occluded alloy. The above process easily controls the manganese component while producing the hydrogen occluded alloy through the mechanical alloying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Samsung Display Devices Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-Min Lee, Kyu-Nam Joo, Jong-Seo Choi, Geun-Bae Kim, Kwi-Seuk Choi, Sang-Won Lee
  • Patent number: 5588983
    Abstract: Finely divided spherical copper powder is produced by ball-milling copper powder together with 0.1 to 3 wt % of stearic acid for 2 to 16 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroji Tani, Kazuhito Oshita
  • Patent number: 5582629
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for reforming sponge titanium powder into intermediate titanium particles of desirable fluidity and superior bulk specific gravity suitable as a starting material of a titanium or titanium alloy product to be produced by powder metallurgy, comprising the steps of: charging a sponge titanium powder in mill pots of a planetary ball mill together with crushing medium; collapsing the particles of the powder to be consolidated forming a squamation under an inert atmosphere in the mill pots; and adjusting the particle size and particle diameter by cutting the squamated particle under an inert atmosphere in a crushing medium stirring mill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Kurimoto, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadao Nakai, Kazuaki Arakawa
  • Patent number: 5461012
    Abstract: A substantially non-explosive mixed powder containing finely divided metallic particles suitable for being incorporated in a refractory mixture, intimately mixed together with inert refractory particles. The refractory particles are present in such particle sizes and quantities as ensure that the Minimum Explosible Concentration, as tested in a 20-L vessel with a chemical igniter, is greater than 100 gm/m.sup.3. The inert particles comprise at least 40% of the mixture, and preferably 50% to 80%. The invention also includes a premixed powder, of the metallic and refractory powder, especially as contained in a shipping container in drums or impermeable bags. Due to the presence of the refractory powder, the mixed powder can be shipped without the precautions usually needed for shipping finely divided metal powders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Timminco Ltd.
    Inventors: John P. MacMillan, Martin J. Bray, Douglas J. Zuliani
  • Patent number: 5338712
    Abstract: A process for producing a substantially non-explosive powder containing finely divided metallic particles suitable for being incorporated in a refractory mixture, comprising simultaneously grinding a mixture of pieces of metal with pieces of an inert refractory material to produce a premixture containing finely divided metallic particles and finely divided refractory particles which are intimately mixed together. The refractory particles are present in such particle sizes and quantities as ensure that the Minimum Explosible Concentration, as tested in a 20-L vessel with a chemical igniter, is greater than 100 gm/m.sup.3. The inert particles comprise at least 40% of the mixture, and preferably 50% to 75%. The invention also includes a premixed powder, produced by this process, especially as contained in drums or impermeable bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Timmino Ltd.
    Inventors: John P. MacMillan, Douglas J. Zuliani, Martin J. Bray
  • Patent number: 5330554
    Abstract: A method for producing iron-nitride powder comprises the steps of introducing iron powder and NH.sub.3 gas or N.sub.2 gas in a vessel, and milling the iron powder in the NH.sub.3 gas or the N.sub.2 gas. Furthermore, a method for producing iron-nitride powder comprises the steps of introducing iron powder and intermetallic compound powder of iron and nitrogen in a vessel, and milling the iron powder and the intermetallic compound powder. The obtained iron-nitride powder consists essentially 85.1 to 99 at % of iron and the rest of nitrogen, and has a body centered cubic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tamotsu Koyano, Uichiro Mizutani
  • Patent number: 5328501
    Abstract: A process for the production of a metal product which comprises subjecting a mixture of at least one reducible metal compound and at least one reducing agent to mechanical activation to produce a metal or alloy. Preferably, the mechanical activation is performed in an inert or reducing atmosphere. More than one reducing agent may be used. A ceramic material may be produced by including a nonmetal, or a compound which provides the nonmetal, into the starting materials. At least one other metal or a metalloid may be included in the starting materials for incorporation into the final product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: The University of Western Australia
    Inventors: Paul G. McCormick, Graham B. Schaffer
  • Patent number: 5173108
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing an agglomerated molybdenum plasma spray powder with a controlled level of oxygen which comprises forming a relatively uniform mixture of agglomerated powders containing molybdenum dioxide and one or more ammonium-containing compounds of molybdenum wherein the mixture has an oxygen content of greater than about 25% by weight and reducing the mixture in a moving bed furnace at a temperature of from about 700.degree. C. to about 1000.degree. C. for a sufficient time to remove a portion of the oxygen therefrom and form reduced molybdenum powder agglomerates having an oxygen content of no greater than about 25% by weight. The reduction takes place in the direction from the outside surface of the agglometates to the inside surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventor: David L. Houck
  • Patent number: 5147449
    Abstract: A process for producing metal metalmetalloid powder, with its particles having ultramicrocrystalline structures to nanocrystalline structures with the metalmetalloid component being composed of at least one metal reacted with at least one metalloid of the group including C, N, O, H, B, and Si. The metalloids, C, N, O, H, B, and Si are introduced in a highly reactive form together with powders of the metals of the matrix metal and of the metals of the metalmetalloid component into a high energy mill to produce a metal-metalmetalloid powder with its particles having a ultramicrocrystalline to nanocrystalline structure both in the metal matrix and in the metal metalloid component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Fried. Krupp Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Hans Grewe, Wolfgang Schlump
  • Patent number: 5112388
    Abstract: There are described metallic powders comprising agglomerated nanocrystals of an electroactive alloy. The main component of the alloy can be of nickel, cobalt, iron or mixtures thereof while the alloying element is one or more transition metals such as Mo, W, V. Preferably the nanocrystals will be made of an alloy of nickel and molybdenum. An electrode which is used by compacting the powders is also disclosed. Also disclosed, is a process for producing the metallic powders by providing particles of nickel, cobalt and iron with particles of at least one transition metal, (Mo, W, V) and subjecting the particles to high energy mechanical alloying such as ball milling under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce a nanocrystalline alloy. Electrodes produced from these powders have an electrocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution which is comparable or higher than the electrodes which are presently used in the electrochemical industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Hydro-Quebec
    Inventors: Robert Schulz, Jean-Yves Huot, Michel Trudeau
  • Patent number: 5032174
    Abstract: The present invention relates to powder particles consisting of hard principles and binder metal for the manufacture of superior, uniquely fine-grained hard material alloys and to a procedure for the preparation of said particles.The preparation is performed in an economical way because the procedure starts from conventional melt metallurgical raw materials. A pre-alloy consisting of hard principle forming and binder phase forming elements is subjected to a heat treatment such as nitriding and carburizing after being crushed. The final product is particles composed by hard principle phases and binder metal phases formed "in situ" in an effective binding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Santrade Limited
    Inventors: Carl S. G. Ekemar, Rolf G. Oskarsson
  • Patent number: 5030278
    Abstract: Process of restructuring a group of finely divided particles, of granulometries lower than 100 microns, wherein the particles to be restructured are placed in a bath of cryogenic liquid which is inert with respect to the particles, the operation of restructuring is allowed to proceed after which the cryogenic liquid is withdrawn for example by evaporation. Applications to the production of metallic alloys, special polymers, paints, inks, carbon black, special ceramics and pharmaceutical or food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes
    Inventor: Pierre Karinthi