Abstract
Techniques have been developed for the isostatic compaction of metals, cermets, and ceramics with no appreciable variation in density throughout the compacted structure. The temperatures needed are much lower than those normally utilized for sintering, so that a fine-grain, tough structural material can be produced. The starting material may be loose powder, cold-pressed preforms, explosively impacted preforms, coated particles, spherical particles, or vibratory-packed powder.
Toxic materials are easily handed. Since the process is quite adaptable to the preparation of complex shapes by direct compaction of powders, components can be produced from the more expensive materials, such as beryllium and tungsten, with a minimum loss of material during processing.
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