METAL AND ALLOY POWDERS AND POWDER FABRICATION

摘要

A precursor powder comprising a metal compound is formed into a sample for electro-deoxidation, for example by slip-casting. The sample is then immersed in a melt comprising a molten salt and a cathodic potential applied to remove non-metal species from the precursor powder by electro-deoxidation and dissolution in the melt. This typically forms a metallic sample which can be fragmented to form a metallic powder. In a second aspect of the invention a powdered feed material is formed into a shaped precursor and more extensive electro-deoxidation carried out so as to form a near-net shaped product.