Method for meltless manufacturing of a welding rod

摘要

An article made of a metallic material having its constituent elements is made by furnishing (20) at least one nonmetallic precursor compound, wherein all of the nonmetallic precursor compounds collectively include the constituent elements of the metallic material in their respective constituent-element proportions. The precursor compounds are chemically reduced (22) to produce particles comprising the metallic material, without melting the precursor compounds and without melting the metallic material. The particles may be consolidated (24) into a rod, which may be used (26) as a welding rod in a welding operation. Alternatively, the nonmetallic precursor compounds may be consolidated prior to the chemical reduction. <IMAGE>