Method of forming a substantially interwoven matrix containing a refractory hard metal and a metal compound

摘要

The invention discloses an improvement in a process wherein a first reactant comprising one or more metals or metal compounds exothermically reacts with a second reactant comprising at least one or more metals or metal compounds in the presence of a third reactant to form an interwoven matrix of a conductive material and an insulating material. The improvement comprises locally applying, to a selected region of a shaped body formed from a mixture of the reactants, sufficient energy to initiate an exothermic reaction which then propagates throughout the remainder of the body to form the interwoven matrix.