Process for making improved net shape or near net shape metal parts

A process for producing a net shape or near net shape metal part comprising sintering a compact containing particles consisting of a metal and chemically-bound oxygen in a reducing atmosphere, said metal being capable of forming a metal/metal oxide eutectic, and said compact containing chemically-bound oxygen in an amount sufficient to produce said eutectic, wherein said compact further contains a reinforcement compound which is insoluble to said metal under sintering conditions, and wherein said net shape or near net shape metal part is a metal matrix composite.

A process for producing a net shape or near net shape metal part comprising sintering a compact containing particles consisting of a metal and chemically-bound oxygen in a reducing atmosphere, said compact containing chemically-bound oxygen in an amount sufficient to produce a metal/metal oxide eutectic, said metal being selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, iron and chromium, wherein said compact further contains a solution compound, said solution compound being different than said metal and being soluble to said metal under sintering conditions, said solution compound being selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, iron, beryllium, titanium phosphorus, and combinations thereof, said compact further containing a reinforcement compound which is insoluble to said metal and said solution compound under sintering conditions, said reinforcement compound being selected from the group consisting of tungsten, molybdenum, carbon and combinations thereof, and wherein said near net shape metal part is a metal matrix composite.

A process for producing a net shape or near net shape metal part comprising sintering in a reducing atmosphere a compact containing particles of copper, copper oxide and a reinforcement compound, said reinforcement compound being selected from the group consisting of tungsten and molybdenum, said compact containing at least about 1% by weight copper oxide based on the amount of copper in said compact, said reducing atmosphere contains hydrogen, and said metal part is a metal matrix composite.

A process for producing a net shape or near net shape metal part comprising sintering a compact containing particles consisting of a metal and chemically-bound oxygen in a reducing atmosphere, said metal being capable of forming a metal/metal oxide eutectic, and said compact containing chemically-bound oxygen in an amount sufficient to produce said eutectic wherein said metal particles having a mean particle size of 0.3 to 10 microns is spray dried to form a flowable mass of agglomerates having an angle of repose of about 35 degrees or less and a flowability of 40 seconds or less per 50 grams, wherein said flowable mass of agglomerates is compacted to form a self-supporting shaped article, and wherein said shaped article is sintered in a reducing atmosphere of hydrogen containing moisture in an amount such that said atmosphere has a dew point of from about -40.degree. C. to about +20.degree. C.