Method and apparatus for making articles from particle based materials

Patent · 19 December 1995

OSTI ID:170484

Moorhead, A J; Menchhofer, P A

A method and apparatus are disclosed for the production of articles made of a particle-based material; e.g., ceramics and sintered metals. In accordance with the invention, a thermally settable slurry containing a relatively high concentration of the particles is conveyed through an elongate flow area having a desired cross-sectional configuration. The slurry is heated as it is advanced through the flow area causing the slurry to set or harden in a shape which conforms to the cross-sectional configuration of the flow area. The material discharges from the flow area as a self-supporting solid of near net final dimensions. The article may then be sintered to consolidate the particles and provide a high density product. 10 figs.

• Research Organization: Lockheed Martin Energy Syst Inc
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5,476,622/A/
• Application Number: PAN: 7-898,914
• OSTI ID: 170484
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CERAMICS
DESIGN
EQUIPMENT
MANUFACTURING
MASS TRANSFER
METALS
SHAPE
SINTERING
TEMPERATURE CONTROL