Methods and apparatus for heating metal powders
AssigneeHoeganaes Corporation
InventorsK. S. V. L. Narasimhan, Johan Arvidsson, Howard G. Rutz, W. John Porter, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for heating metal powder, e.g., iron powder, comprises irradiating the powder with microwaves. The powder may be coated with various materials to enhance the heating effects of the microwave. For example, the powder may be coated with a non-emissive material, such as a ceramic material. The powder may also be coated with a dipole material, such as water or plastic, or a dielectric material.
Claims39
A process for heating a metal powder, comprising:
- (a) providing a free-flowing particulate metal powder comprising iron-based particles;
- and
- (b) irradiating said iron-based particles with microwaves for a time and energy level sufficient to heat said iron-based particles to a temperature of from about 100.degree. C. to about 370.degree. C.
A process for compacting a metal powder into a compacted part, comprising:
- (a) providing a free-flowing particulate metal powder comprising iron-based particles;
- (b) conveying said metal powder to a compaction die;
- (c) heating said metal powder by subjecting said metal powder to microwave irradiation, wherein said heating step comprises heating said metal powder to a temperature of from about 100.degree. C. to about 370.degree. C.;
- and
- (d) compacting said heated metal powder within said compaction die to form a compacted part.
A process for removing water from a powder metallurgy composition, comprising:
- (a) providing a metal powder composition comprising atomized iron-based particles and water;
- and
- (b) removing water from said metal powder composition by irradiating said metal powder composition with microwave energy to a temperature of from about 100.degree. C. to about 370.degree. C.
A process for forming a compacted part, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an unpacked powder comprising iron-based particles;
- (b) heating said unpacked powder to a temperature of from about 100.degree. C. to about 370.degree. C. by irradiating said powder with microwaves;
- (c) subsequently feeding the heated powder to a die;
- and
- (d) compacting the powder in said die.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.