Abstract: A method of producing nanoscale materials comprising the steps of entraining liquid droplets containing at least one nanoparticle precursor within a gaseous stream, and passing said gaseous stream containing said liquid droplets through a non-thermal equilibrium plasma whereby said plasma interacts with said at least one nanoparticle precursor to produce nanoparticles within said droplets without substantial evaporation of the droplets and conveying the thus produced nanoparticles within said gaseous stream downstream of said plasma.

Abstract: A preparation method for a silver-metal oxide electrical contact material, comprising: (1) mixing a silver-containing precursor solution with a metal oxide precursor solution; (2) reacting a reducing agent with the mixed solution to obtain silver powder coated with a metal oxide precursor; (3) heat treating the silver powder in a non-reducing atmosphere to obtain the silver-metal oxide electrical contact material. A preparation device for a silver-metal oxide electrical contact material, a silver-metal oxide electrical contact material prepared by the preparation method, and an electrical contact prepared by the silver-metal oxide electrical contact material. The electrical contact material prepared by the preparation method is at nanoscale, significantly prolonging electrical endurance of the electrical contact.

Abstract: A preparation method of silver nanowires is provided. First, droplets of an ethylene glycol solution of silver nitrate is atomized by ultra-sonication and then added into a heated solution containing polyvinylpyrrolidone and sodium chloride to form silver nanowires. Comparing with the method without the ultra-sonication, the above method can increase the yield and the aspect ratio of the silver nanowires.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal article may include: Producing a supply of a composite metal powder by: providing a supply of molybdenum metal powder; providing a supply of a sodium compound; combining the molybdenum metal powder and the sodium compound with a liquid to form a slurry; feeding the slurry into a stream of hot gas; and recovering the composite metal powder; and consolidating the composite metal powder to form the metal article, the metal article comprising a sodium/molybdenum metal matrix. Also disclosed is a metal article produced accordance with this method.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods of forming zero valent metal particles using an aerosol-reductive/expansion synthesis (A-RES) process. In one embodiment, an aerosol stream including metal precursor compound(s) and chemical agent(s) that produces reducing gases upon thermal decomposition can be introduced into a heated inert atmosphere of a RES reactor to form zero valent metal particles corresponding to metals used for the metal precursor cot pound(s).

Abstract: A method for producing a metal powder product involves: Providing a supply of a precursor metal powder; combining the precursor metal powder with a liquid to form a slurry; feeding the slurry into a pulsating stream of hot gas; and recovering the metal powder product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing nanometer-size spherical particles. The method includes a first step for producing intermediate spherical particles. The intermediate spherical particles include a polycrystalline or single-crystalline region, having a particle size of 1 to 300 ?m. The method of the present invention further includes a second step for producing final spherical particles. The second step uses a swirling plasma gas flow having the central axis thereof, the central axis running through an area between an anode and a cathode of a plasma generator. The intermediate spherical particles are discharged along the axis to subject the intermediate spherical particles to a plasma atmosphere of the area to form the final spherical particles.

Abstract: An aerosol-assisted method for synthesis of nanostructured metallic electrocatalysts and the electrocatalysts formed thereby. The electrocatalyst may be formed from metals such as, but not limited to, platinum, platinum group metals, and binary and tertiary compositions thereof such as, for example, platinum-ruthenium and platinum-tin. The resulting unsupported electrocatalyst is homogenous and highly disperse.

Abstract: Provided are silver-containing powders and a method and apparatus for manufacturing the silver-containing particles of high quality, of a small size and narrow size distribution. An aerosol is generated from liquid feed and sent to a furnace, where liquid in droplets in the aerosol is vaporized to permit formation of the desired particles, which are then collected in a particle collector. The aerosol generation involves preparation of a high quality aerosol, with a narrow droplet size distribution, with close control over droplet size and with a high droplet loading suitable for commercial applications.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing noble metal fine particles, by which noble metal fine particles are obtained whose particle diameter and alloy composition are easy to control and whose crystallinity and purity are high, is provided. The method includes the steps of: (1) obtaining a molten mixture containing a noble metal chloride, by insufflating chlorine gas into a mixture of a molten salt of an alkali metal chloride and a noble metal; (2) obtaining a noble metal oxide as a precipitate by adding an alkali metal carbonate to the molten mixture under an inert gas atmosphere; (3) obtaining a mixture containing noble metal oxide fine particles, by pulverizing the noble metal oxide with at least one of an alkali metal carbonate and an alkali earth metal carbonate; and (4) obtaining noble metal fine particles by heating the mixture obtained in step (3) under an atmosphere of gas containing hydrogen, and then treating the heat-treated mixture with acid.

Abstract: A liquid for the preparation of powder mixtures on the basis of hard metals, comprising water and an inhibitor, wherein the inhibitor is in the form of at least one of the following materials: polyvinyllactam or wax emulsion, or the inhibitor is in the form of at least one of the following materials: carboxylic acid, amines or their derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to manufacture the SnZnNiCu solder powder through liquid quenching atomizing method, and an atomizing temperature is not less than 500° C., in particular, not less than 900° C. The raw material metal used as raw material of the solder powder comprises 3 to 12% by weight of Zn, 1.0 to 15% by weight of the sum of Cu and Ni, and Sn and inevitable impurities for the rest, to the total amount of raw material. Thereby, high joint strength is achieved and the SnZnNiCu solder powder which can improve joint reliability of solder joint part is provided.

Abstract: Provided are silver-containing powders and a method and apparatus for manufacturing the silver-containing particles of high quality, of a small size and narrow size distribution. An aerosol is generated from liquid feed and sent to a furnace, where liquid in droplets in the aerosol is vaporized to permit formation of the desired particles, which are then collected in a particle collector. The aerosol generation involves preparation of a high quality aerosol, with a narrow droplet size distribution, with close control over droplet size and with a high droplet loading suitable for commercial applications.

Abstract: Produce metal particles offering high purity and uniform granular shape and size: by forming a combustion chamber comprising an injector nozzle for mixture gas of oxygen and hydrogen, an ignition device and a material metal feeder in the upper space of a high-pressure water tank filled with inert gas; igniting inside the combustion chamber via the ignition device the injector nozzle for mixture gas of oxygen and hydrogen and melting (vaporize) the material fed by the material metal feeder; and then causing the produced molten metal droplets to contact high-pressure water and let the resulting metallic particles to precipitate in water.

Abstract: Magnetic alloy powder for a permanent magnet contains: R of about 20 mass percent to about 40 mass percent (R is Y, or at least one type of rare earth element); T of about 60 mass percent to about 79 mass percent (T is a transition metal including Fe as a primary component); and Q of about 0.5 mass percent to about 2.0 mass percent (Q is an element including B (boron) and C (carbon)). The magnetic alloy powder is formed by an atomize method, and the shape of particles of the powder is substantially spherical. The magnetic alloy powder includes a compound phase having Nd2Fe14B tetragonal structure as a primary composition phase. A ratio of a content of C to a total content of B and C is about 0.05 to about 0.90.

Abstract: Provided are palladium-containing powders and a method and apparatus for manufacturing the palladium-containing particles of high quality, of a small size and narrow size distribution. An aerosol is generated from liquid feed and sent to a furnace, where liquid in droplets in the aerosol is vaporized to permit formation of the desired particles, which are then collected in a particle collector. The aerosol generation involves preparation of a high quality aerosol, with a narrow droplet size distribution, with close control over droplet size and with a high droplet loading suitable for commercial applications. Powders may have high resistance to oxidation of palladium. Multi-phase particles are provided including a palladium-containing metallic phase and a second phase that is dielectric. Electronic components are provided manufacturable using the powders.

Abstract: A process for making particles, the process including generating an aerosol stream which includes droplets of a precursor liquid dispersed in a carrier gas, the precursor liquid including a liquid vehicle and a precursor material, separating the precursor liquid into two portions during the generating step, a first portion exiting the generator in the droplets of the aerosol stream and a second portion exiting as effluent at least a portion of which is recycled to the generator, and also during the generating step adding additional liquid vehicle to at least one of the carrier gas supply, the precursor liquid supply, and the aerosol generator, to at least partially compensate for the tendency of the precursor liquid to become more concentrated in the precursor material over time, and then removing at least a portion of the liquid vehicle from the droplets and forming particles in the aerosol stream.

Abstract: Lamellar rare earth-iron-boron-based magnet alloy particles for a bonded magnet, having an intrinsic coercive force (iHc) of not less than 3.5 kOe, a residual magnetic flux density (Br) of not less than 9.5 kG, and a maximum energy product ((BH)max) of not less than 13 MGOe. These particles have an average major axial diameter of 60 to 500 &mgr;m, an average minor axial diameter of 50 to 460 &mgr;m, an average axis ratio (major axial diameter/minor axial diameter) of 1.1 to 10 and an average aspect ratio (major axial diameter/thickness) of 3 to 100. The magnet alloy particles have a residual magnetic flux density (Br) as high as not less than 10 kG, an intrinsic coercive force (iHc) as large as not less than 3.5 kOe and a maximum energy product ((BH)max) as large as not less than 13 MGOe, are used as a material for high-performance bonded magnets.

Abstract: A method for making a hydrided hydrogen storage alloy powder from component material. In the present method a material is worked at the same time it is hydrided. Working preferably involves comminution of the material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing atomized metal powder in an atomization plant comprising a casting box, a reactor vessel, a powder container and sedimentation equipment. The production process takes place with controlled thermal balance. The invention also relates to an atomization plant, atomized metal powder and the use of the metal powder as coolant in the manufacture of steel.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for producing low oxygen, essentially carbon free stainless steel powder, which comprises the steps of preparing molten steel which in addition to iron contains carbon and at least 10% of chromium, adjusting the carbon content of the melt to a value which is decided by the expected oxygen content after water atomising; water-atomising the melt and annealing the as-atomised powder at a temperature of at least 1120° C. in a reducing atmosphere containing controlled amounts of water. The invention also concerns a water-atomised powder including 10% by weight of chromium and having a carbon content between 0.2 and 0.7, preferably between 0.4 and 0.6% by weight and an oxygen/carbon ratio of about 1 to 3 and at most 0.5% of impurities, as well as the annealed powder obtained according to the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing nanophase WC/TiC/Co composite powder by means of a mechano-chemical process comprising a combination of mechanical and chemical methods. For this purpose, the present invention provides a method of producing nanophase WC/TiC/Co composite powder, said method comprising as follows: a process of producing an initial powder by means of spray-drying from water-soluble salts containing W, Ti, and Co; a process of heating to remove the salts and moisture contained in the initial powder after spray-drying; a process of mechanically ball-milling to grind oxide powder after removing the salts and moisture therefrom, and to homogeneously mix the powder with an addition of carbon; and a process of heating the powder after milling, for reduction and carburization, in an atmosphere of reductive gas or non-oxidative gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for producing soft solder powder without pressure, in particular for producing spherical fine metal particles having a grain size ranging from 1-100 microns and a liquidus temperature <250 degrees C.

Abstract: There is provided a ball mill having a milling chamber into which metal powder is fed. The ball mill is also provided with milling means for milling metal powder into fine metal powder having a particle size less than a predetermined size. When the ball mill operates, a quantity of heat (Qo) is generated in the milling chamber. The milling chamber is cooled by liquid cooling means and gas cooling means according to the present invention. The liquid cooling means causes cooling liquid to flow along the outside wall of the milling chamber to remove a quantity of heat (Q1) during the ball mill operation. The gas cooling means causes cooling gas to flow through the milling chamber to remove a quantity of heat (Q2) during the ball mill operation. The generated quantity of heat (Qo) can be counterbalanced with the sum of the removed quantities of heat (Q1) and (Q2) so as to prevent the inside of the milling chamber from overheating, so that the ball mill can operate in the condition of Qo/V≧0.

Abstract: Austenitic stainless steels and nickel-base alloys containing, by wt. %, 0.1 to 3.0% V, 0.01 to 0.08% C, 0.01 to 0.5% N, 0.05% max. each of Al and Ti, and 0.005 to 0.10% O, are strengthened and ductility retained by atomization of a metal melt under cover of an inert gas with added oxygen to form approximately 8 nanometer-size hollow oxides within the alloy grains and, when the alloy is aged, strengthened by precipitation of carbides and nitrides nucleated by the hollow oxides. Added strengthening is achieved by nitrogen solid solution strengthening and by the effect of solid oxides precipitated along and pinning grain boundaries to provide temperature-stabilization and refinement of the alloy grains.

Abstract: A process for fabrication of sintered articles from a molybdenum-containing steel alloy by atomization, pressing, and sintering. The melt used for atomization has a molybdenum content determined as a function of the sintering temperature which lies in a range of 1050.degree.-1350.degree. C. The carbon content of the powder mixture is no more than 0.05% by weight and the reduction annealing takes place in a temperature range of 850.degree.-950.degree. C.

Abstract: An iron-based powder for producing highly resistant components with a small local variation in dimensional change, by powder compacting and sintering. The powder contains, in addition to Fe, 0.5-4.5% by weight Ni, 0.65-2.25% by weight Mo and 0.35-0.65% by weight C, and optionally a lubricant and impurities. The maximum variation in dimensional change is 0.07% for a minimum density of 6.7 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: A method for forming an electrical contact material comprises the steps of melting a mixture of Cu and Cr into a molten alloy, atomizing the molten alloy into fine particles to obtain alloyed particles. Cr particles in the alloyed powder disintegrate to less than 5 .mu.m in mean particle diameter. The alloyed powder is sintered thereafter and a mean particle diameter of chromium in the sintered article is fined in a range of 2 to 20 .mu.m. An electrical contact material is composed of a copper matrix and chromium particles having a mean particle diameter of 2 to 20 .mu.m. The chromium particles are homogeneously dispersed in the copper matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed are heat resistant aluminum alloy powder and alloy including Ni in an amount of from 5.7 to 20% by weight, Si in an amount of from 6.0 to 25% by weight, at least one of Fe in an amount of from 0.6 to 8.0% by weight and Cu in an amount of from 0.6 to 5.0% by weight, and at least one of B in a form of the simple substance in an amount of from 0.05 to 2.0% by weight (or from 0.05 to 10% by weight for the alloy) and graphite particles (especially for the alloy) in an amount of from 0.1 to 10% by weight. The alloy powder and alloy are not only superb in the tensile strength at room temperature and high temperatures but also superior in the sliding characteristic, they can be further upgraded in the wear resistance and the fretting fatigue resistance by dispersing at least one of nitride particles, boride particles, oxide particles and carbide particles in an amount of from 0.

Abstract: A powder metallurgy article formed from a Co--Cr--Mo alloy powder and a method for making the article are disclosed. The Co--Cr--Mo alloy powder contains, in weight percent, about 0.35% max. C, about 1.00% max. Mn, about 1.00% max. Si, about 26.0-30.0% Cr, about 5.0-7.0% Mo, about 3% max. Ni, about 0.25% max. N, about 1.00% max. Fe, about 0.01% max. of oxide forming metals, and the balance is essentially Co. Within their respective weight percent limits C and N are controlled such that they satisfy the relationship:62.866+360.93.times.(%C)+286.633.times.(%N)-682.165.times.(%C).sup.2 -641.702.times.(%N).sup.2 .gtoreq.120.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an aluminum matrix composite powder comprising 1 to 40% by weight of ceramic particles dispersed in a matrix of aluminum-silicon alloy. The matrix of the composite may further comprise at least one of Cu, Mg and transition metals.The aluminum matrix composite is prepared by a rapid solidification.In the aluminum matrix composite, the ceramic particles are very uniformly dispersed in the matrix, thereby the improvement of mechanical properties of product prepared therefrom can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of finely divided particles of palladium, palladium oxide or mixtures thereof comprising the sequential steps:A. Forming an unsaturated solution of thermally decomposable palladium-containing compound in a thermally volatilizable solvent;B. Forming an aerosol consisting essentially of finely divided droplets of the solution from step A. dispersed in an inert carrier gas;C. Heating the aerosol to an operating temperature above the decomposition temperature of the palladium-containing compound, but below the melting point of palladium metal by which finely divided particles of palladium, palladium oxide or mixtures thereof are formed and densified; andD. Separating the particles of palladium, palladium oxide or mixtures thereof from the carrier gas, reaction by-products and solvent volatilization products.

Abstract: A hard surfacing alloy which has a Rockwell C hardness of greater than about 50 and which includes tungsten carbide, chromium carbide and bi-metallic chromium and tungsten carbide crystals which are precipitated in the alloy. Alloys of the present invention in their nominal composition comprise from about 12% to about 20% tungsten; from about 13% to about 30% chromium; an effective amount of carbon for forming carbides with the tungsten and chromium and include effective amounts of fluxes and melting point depressants and the like. The balance of the composition is nickel. The alloys include precipitated carbide crystals of chromium, tungsten and bi-metallic mixtures thereof which are interspersed through the hard surfacing alloy and are metallurgically bonded in the metal matrix of the alloy. The alloys have extremely low porosities and therefore are suitable for glass plunger and other applications where low porosity is essential.

Abstract: A process is described for the production of composite powders with ultrafine microstructures. The process involves three coordinated steps:1) preparation and mixing of an appropriate starting solution;2) spray drying to form a chemically homogeneous precursor powder; and3) fluid bed thermochemical conversion of the precursor into the desired nanophase composite powder.Both spray drying and fluid bed conversion are scaleable technologies, and together provide the means for producing bulk quantities of nanophase composite powders at low manufacturing cost. Processing parameters are controlled to ensure maintenance of chemical and microstructural uniformity at the nanoscale (less than 0.1 micron) level.Spray conversion processing is a versatile technology, which can be applied to a variety of metal--metal (e.g. W--Cu), ceramic-metal (e.g. WC--Co), and ceramic--ceramic (e.g. Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --SiO.sub.2) nanophase composite powders ceramic-metal (e.g. WC--Co), and ceramic--ceramic (e.g. Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --SiO.

Abstract: A non-amalgamated zinc alloy powder for use in an alkaline cell which consists of elements component selected from among the following combinations (1) to (3):(1) 0.01 to 0.5% by weight of bismuth, 0.01 to 0.5% by weight of indium, not less than 0.005% by weight to less than 0.01% by weight of calcium,(2) not less than 0.005% by weight to less than 0.01% by weight of calcium, 0.01 to 0.5% by weight of bismuth, 0 to 0.5% by weight of aluminium, and(3) 0.01 to 0.5% by weight of lead, 0.01 to 0.5% by weight of indium, 0 to less than 0.01% by weight of calcium, 0.01 to 0.5% by weight of aluminium, the balance being zinc and containing 1 ppm or less of iron, and which can greatly suppress the evolution of hydrogen gas and maintain the discharge performance on a practical level, and the method to produce the same.

Abstract: The method for preparing metal powders with a narrow particle size distribution includes providing a disintegrator with a working chamber containing counter-rotating disks equipped with teeth designed to impart high tangential velocities to particles contacting the teeth, introducing a metal melt as a liquid stream with a composition substantially corresponding to the final metal powder composition into the working chamber of the disintegrator, counter-rotating the disks, whereby the liquid stream of metal entering the chamber is broken up into small beads, which leave the surface of the teeth with high velocities, and whereby subsequent contact of the beads with the teeth of the disks further break up the liquid beads until the bead solidifies by heat loss to the disks and collecting a fine metal powder of narrow particle size distribution at the exit end of the working chamber.

Abstract: Prealloyed high-vanadium, cold work tool steel particles are provided for use in the powder-metallurgy production of tool steel articles. The particles are of a cold work tool steel alloy having an MC-type vanadium carbide dispersion of a carbide particle size substantially entirely less than 6 microns and in an amount of 18.5 to 34.0% by volume. The particles are produced by atomizing a molten tool steel alloy at a temperature above 2910.degree. F. and rapidly cooling the atomized alloy to form solidified particles therefrom. The particles have the MC-type vanadium carbide dispersion therein.

Abstract: A hard surfacing alloy which has a Rockwell C hardness of greater than about 50 and which includes tungsten carbide, chromium carbide and bi-metallic chromium and tungsten carbide crystals which are precipitated in the alloy. Alloys of the present invention in their nominal composition comprise from about 12% to about 20% tungsten; from about 13% to about 30% chromium; an effective amount of carbon for forming carbides with the tungsten and chromium and include effective amounts of fluxes and melting point depressants and the like. The balance of the composition is nickel. The alloys include precipitated carbide crystals of chromium, tungsten and bi-metallic mixtures thereof which are interspersed through the hard surfacing alloy and are metallurgically bonded in the metal matrix of the alloy. The alloys have extremely low porosities and therefore are suitable for glass plunger and other applications where low porosity is essential.

Abstract: Producing finely divided U.sub.3 Si by supercooling a melt of uranium and silicon at a high cooling rate of 10.sup.3 to 10.sup.7 .degree. C./sec.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing superconductive ceramics wherein, first, a liquid alloy melt is made of metals; this is carried out at a temperature at which the melt is chemically homogeneous. The melt is subsequently atomized with an inert gas or with oxygen. In the first case, a powder develops which is oxidized in a further step whereas in the second case the oxide powder is a direct result. By means of sintering, for example, the oxide powder can be pressed to superconductive bodies of any desired form.