Method of forming shaped metal alloy parts from metal or compound particles of the metal alloy components and compositions

摘要

A method of forming precision metal alloy shaped parts starting with small particles of the individual metals and/or individual compounds containing the metals of the targeted metal alloy and a binder. A mix is initially formed of metals and/or compounds of the metals required to form a targeted alloy wherein the metal percent of each metal and/or compound is provided whereby the targeted alloy will be provided. The sizes of the particles of the metals and/or alloys are as small as possible and preferably in the range from one tenth of a micron to ten microns. These particles are mixed with an appropriate binder to form a homogeneous mass. The mixture is utilized in the formation of parts wherein green bodies are formed by classical techniques and further processing of the green body takes place whereby the green body is stripped of binder and the stripped body is raised to a temperature below the sintering temperature of the metals and sufficiently high to cause net reduction of any metal compound and prevent net oxidation of any metal in the processing atmosphere. The temperature is also maintained whereby operation takes place on the reducing side of the equilibrium curve of the furnace atmosphere for the metals being alloyed and sintered, frequently controlled by dew point of the atmosphere versus temperature for the conditions present. The green body is maintained in this atmosphere for a sufficient period of time whereby substantially all of the metal and/or metal compounds are in the pure metallic state. The temperature is then raised to the sintering temperature and the system is maintained at the sintering temperature for the metals involved while maintaining the system in the reducing region of said equilibrium curve or a suitable neutral atmosphere until sintering is completed. The sintered part displays homogeneous alloy properties and forms the targeted alloy.