WIRE-LIKE PRODUCT WITH COMPOSITE CORE AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

摘要

A wire-like product (10) for use as a feedstock in metal or plasma spraying or welding includes a metal case (12) and a composite core (14) in the case, with the core being partially sintered and containing enough metal to conduct an electrical current. To form the wire-like product, a metal tubular segment (20) is filled with a powder (26) in the absence of oxygen. Then the tubular segment is reduced in cross-section to compact the powder within it. Next the tubular segment is heated to anneal it and effect a partial sinter (32) of the powder. Another reduction in cross section breaks the partial sinter into particles and further compacts them, whereas a further heating anneals the tubular segment and resinters the particles. Repetitions of the cycle produce the wire-like product.