Lubricant system for use in powdered metals
AssigneeApex Advanced Technologies, LLC
InventorDennis L. Hammond
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Abstract
The present invention provides a lubricant system in the pressing of powders to form a part. The lubricant system is a solid at ambient conditions. However, upon application of pressure during the pressing of the metal parts, the lubricant system forms a liquid phase along the walls of cavity in which the powder is being pressed.
Claims20
A composition for use in powder metallurgy comprising a mixture of a metal powder and a solid lubricant system distributed throughout said mixture, at least a portion of said solid lubricant system converting to a liquid phase upon application of pressure to said composition.
A method of forming a metal part with improved density comprising the steps of:
- (i) providing a composition comprising a mixture of metal powder and a solid lubricant system;
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- (ii) placing said composition in a mold having a cavity formed therein;
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- (iii) applying pressure to said composition contained within said cavity to form a green part and convert at least a portion of said solid lubricant system to a liquid lubricant;
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- (iv) removing said green part from said mold;
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- (v) sintering said green part and forming a finished part.
A master mix for use in powder metallurgy comprising metal powder and at least 1% by weight of a lubricant system, said lubricant system being capable of converting at least in part to a liquid phase upon subsequent let down of said master mix and pressing of said let down master mix.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.