Pressing ceramic powders
AssigneeBritish Nuclear Fuels plc
InventorRoy Stewart
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pelleting press in which the die has at least a part which is fluid-permeable so that powder in the die can be compressed simultaneously by fluid permeating the die and mechanically from at least one end of the die. It has a particular application in the pelleting of nuclear fuel powders. The die may be of reaction - sintered silicon carbide rendered fluid-permeable by removal of silicon.
Claims7
An improved press apparatus for forming bodies from ceramic powder having in combination a rigid die and means for applying mechanical pressure to powder within and contacting the die at least at one end of the die characterised in that the die is at least in part of fluid permeable material and means are provided for exerting hydrostatic pressure through a fluid medium permeating the die and contacting the powder while applying the mechanical pressure.
Apparatus for forming bodies from ceramic powder by compaction in a die, comprising a rigid die at least in part of fluid permeable material for receiving the powder, means for applying mechanical pressure to the powder, and means for exerting hydrostatic pressure through a fluid medium permeating the die and contacting the powder during application of said mechanical pressure.
An improved method of forming bodies from ceramic powder by compaction in a rigid die at least in part of fluid permeable material, the improvement comprising exerting hydrostatic pressure through a fluid medium permeating the die and contacting the powder while applying mechanical pressure to the powder at least at one end of the die.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.