Method of consolidating a powder

摘要

A method of consolidating a powder ( 10 ) comprises the steps of filling an electrically conductive container ( 12 ) with the powder ( 10 ). Any air is evacuated out of the filled container ( 12 ), which is then sealed. The sealed container ( 12 ) is placed in a die ( 20 ) and a force is applied to consolidate the powder ( 10 ). Simultaneously an electric pulse and an ultrasonic pulse are applied to the container ( 12 ) as the powder ( 10 ) is consolidated. The electric and ultrasound pulses are applied during consolidation to disrupt the grain boundaries and assist in the fragmentation of any oxides. The container ( 12 ) is then removed from the die ( 20 ) and from the consolidated powder ( 10 ).