Process for producing sintered articles from flexible preforms containing polytetrafluoroethylene and at least about 85 volume percent of sinterable particulate material

摘要

A process for preparing sintered articles by heating a preform having good green strength and low modulii of elasticity, and comprising a matrix of fibrillated polytetrafluoroethylene interconnecting and entrapping a high volume, at least about 85%, of a particulate and preferably a sinterable material selected from the group consisting of metals, intermetallic, compounds, ceramics, salts, plastics, and combinations thereof. Said preforms are formed by mechanically working a substantially dry mixture of a fibrillable polytetrafluoroethylene polymer and a high volume, at least about 85%, of the particulate material. Metal, ceramic and plastic articles prepared by heat treating, such as sintering, the preforms are also disclosed.