Method of pressing and forging metal powder

摘要

A method is provided for pressing and forging hot metal powder directly in one operation into a high density metal article of a finished worked shape. The method uses a simple shaped, readily deformable container with loose metal powder therein and substantially closed to allow the powder to evolve its own protective atmosphere during preheat while permitting some gases to escape. The powder-filled container is pressed and forged in one operation in a preheated die cavity resulting in a high density article of a homogeneous composition. The invention is also well suited for cladding powder forged articles and producing composite articles from multiple powder alloys. The invention is particularly useful with powders of aluminum and its alloys.