Method of molding metal particles
AssigneeDrexel University
InventorsIhab L. Kamel, Alan Lawley, Myung-Ho Kim
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Abstract
The present method relates to molding metal particles by forming a flowable mixture. The metal particles are mixed with a polyorganic acid which chemically reacts with the metal particles. The flowable mixture is transferred to a mold before the chemical reaction between the metal particles and the polyorganic acid proceeds so far as to substantially increase the viscosity of the flowable mixture. A green preform is created by applying pressure to the mixture in a mold. The green preform is heated to a first temperature to vaporize substantially all of the non-organic components of the reacted polyorganic acid from the preform. The preform is then heated to a second temperature greater than the first temperature to sinter the metal particles.
Claims22
A method for molding metal particles, comprising the steps of:
- a. mixing metal particles with a polyorganic acid to form a generally flowable mixture, said polyorganic acid having the general formula:
- ##STR2## wherein R is a long chain polymer having organic groups selected from aliphatic and aromatic, and said polyorganic acid being one which will chemically react with said metal particles;
- b. transferring said flowable mixture to a mold before the chemical reaction between said metal particles and said polyorganic acid proceeds so far as to substantially increase the viscosity of said flowable mixture;
- c. applying pressure to said flowable mixture in said mold to form a preform;
- d. heating said preform to a first temperature to vaporize substantially all of the non-organic components of the reacted polyorganic acid from said preform;
- and
- e. heating said preform to a second temperature greater than said first temperature to sinter said metal particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.