Preparation of a metal monolith by a rapid hot press method

A method of making a metal monolith from a metal powder exempt of any binder or other sintering aid additive, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a Rapid Hot Press equipment comprising a high-pressure mould (internal diameter 10 mm) for receiving said metal powder in which the heat is provided by induction with an inductive coil disposed around the high-pressure mould and a press, said inductive coil being coupled to a RF electrical power supply;
• (b) placing said metallic powder inside the high-pressure mould;
• (c) uniaxial pressing on the mould comprising heating the mould by applying electrical power to the inductive coil, while applying a uniaxial pressure to the mould by means of said press;
• wherein the induction heating is a non-oxidizing process carried out under air ambient highly mechanical resistant mould, the induction heating comprising a heating ramp from a temperature T0 of 20° C. to a temperature T1 being comprised between 50° C. and 550° C. and preferably between 100° C. and 400° C.,
• while applying a uniaxial pressure to the mould greater than 0.1 MPa, said mould being a mould made of high strength material having a yield strength of at least 0.1 GPa, preferably at least 1.2 GPa.