Method for control of resistivity in electroconsolidation of a preformed particulate workpiece
AssigneeSuperior Graphite Co.
InventorWilliam M. Goldberger
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Abstract
The present invention comprises an improved method of controlling resistivity in a process for consolidating particular materials or combinations of such materials into shaped products of very low porosity. High compaction pressures are applied at temperatures in the range of sintering temperature of the materials being consolidated to achieve essentially complete densification at extremely rapid processing rates. Electrothermal heating of a medium having controlled resistivity is utilized to accomplish these results. Various difficult materials, such as silicon carbide, boron carbide and other very high melting point materials, may be densified by these techniques.
Claims20
In a method of consolidating a preformed workpiece within a bed of a first substance constituting electrically conductive, flowable particles by applying electrical energy to said particles to heat said particles and said workpiece and pressurizing said bed to compact said workpiece, the improvement comprising the step of:
- controlling the electrical resistivity of such electrically conductive, flowable particles by modifying the particle contact characteristics thereof by incorporation onto such particles a second substance having different characteristics from those of such particles, and wherein the electrically conductive, flowable particles comprise a carbonaceous material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.