Method for hot consolidating powder

A method for hot consolidating powder of metallic and non-metallic composition and combinations thereof to form a densified powder compact comprising the steps of

• (a) encapsulating a quantity of powder in an irregularly shaped cavity in a thick-walled metal container wherein the walls of the container are regularly shaped and entirely surround the powder and are substantially fully dense and incompressible and are capable of plastic flow at predetermined temperatures and pressures,
• (b) heating the container and powder to a conventional compaction temperature at which the powder will densify and
• (c) applying a conventional compaction pressure to the entire exterior surface of the heated container by pressing the container between the dies of a press while restraining the container the applied pressure being of sufficient magnitude to cause plastic flow at the container walls thereby subjecting the powder to a hydrostatic pressure which causes it to densify.

A method for hot consolidating powder to form [a] an irregularly shaped and densified powder compact comprising the steps of

• (a) encapsulating a quantity of powder in a thick-walled low carbon steel container wherein the walls of the container are regularly shaped and entirely surround the powder and are substantially fully dense and incompressible and are capable of plastic flow at temperatures above 1,000.degree. F. and a pressure exceeding 5,000 psi,
• (b) preheating the container and powder to a temperature above 1,000.degree. F. and
• (c) applying a pressure above 5,000 psi to the entire exterior surface of the container by pressing the container between the dies of a press while restraining the container thereby causing plastic flow of the container walls to subject the powder to a hydrostatic pressure which causes it to densify.

A method for hot consolidating material of metallic and nonmetallic composition and combination thereof to form a fully densified compact comprising the steps of:

• encapsulating a quantity of less than fully dense material in a cavity of irregular shape in a thick-walled container having a regular shape and walls entirely surrounding the cavity and of sufficient thickness so as not to follow the contour of the cavity and of a material which is substantially fully dense and incompressible and capable of plastic flow at elevated temperatures, heating the container and material to a conventional compaction temperature at which the container is capable of plastic flow and the material is susceptible to compaction and will densify and applying conventional pressure to the entire exterior surface of the container thereby causing plastic flow of the container walls to transmit pressure to the material to cause full densification at hydrostatic pressre applied by the container.