Metal consolidation process applicable to functionally gradient material (FGM) compositons of tungsten, nickel, iron, and cobalt

摘要

A method of consolidating metal powder to form an object that includes pressing the powder into a preform, and preheating the preform to elevated temperature; providing flowable pressure transmitting particles and transmitting microwaves into the particles to heat same, and providing a bed of the flowable and heated pressure transmitting particles; positioning the preform in such relation to the bed that the particles substantially encompass the perform; and pressurizing the bed to compress the particles and cause pressure transmission to the preform, thereby to consolidate the preform into a desired object shape, the powder of step a) consisting essentially of at least two of the following: W, Ni, Fe, Co, manganese and titanium, and preferably at least three of same.