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US4069042A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method of pressing and forging metal powder

Assignee: Alcoa Corp
•
Filing: 1975-12-08
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Granted: 1978-01-17
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Expires: 1995-12-08
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Abstract

Abstract A method is provided for pressing and forging hot metal powder directly in one operation into a high density metal article of a finished worked shape. The method uses a simple shaped, readily deformable container with loose metal powder therein and substantially closed to allow the powder to evolve its own protective atmosphere during preheat while permitting some gases to escape. The powder-filled container is pressed and forged in one operation in a preheated die cavity resulting in a high density article of a homogeneous composition. The invention is also well suited for cladding powder forged articles and producing composite articles from multiple powder alloys. The invention is particularly useful with powders of aluminum and its alloys.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kalman E. Buchovecky
  • 👤 Milton R. Rearick

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 01:34
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22F; B22F3/00; B22F3/17; B21; B21J; B21J1/00; B21J5/00; B21J5/002; B22F3/12; B22F3/1208; B22F3/1258; C; C22; C22C; C22C1/00; C22C1/04; C22C1/0408; C22C1/0416

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 191 words
A method for forging metal powders of aluminum and its alloys comprises: placing in an open-ended readily deformable metal container an amount of loose powder, said container having a general shape of an article to be forged, and the amount of said powder being more than sufficient metal needed to forge the article to a predetermined density; heating said powder within said container to a substantially uniform temperature below the melting point of the powder but at least 600° F to facilitate metallurgical bonding of said powder during conditions of plastic deformation; maintaining over the open-end of said container during heating a cover sufficient to contain the powder and to allow for escape of gases evolved from heating the powder within said container but to retain in said container a sufficient portion of said gases to effectively shield the powder and provide an oxidation protective atmosphere; and forging said container with said powder therein into a forged shape of the article having a predetermined density of at least 99% by compressing within substantially closed dies and effecting plastic flow of the metal, the dies having provision for escape of excess metal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 191 words
A method for forging metal powders of aluminum and its alloys comprises: placing in an open-ended readily deformable metal container an amount of loose powder, said container having a general shape of an article to be forged, and the amount of said powder being more than sufficient metal needed to forge the article to a predetermined density; heating said powder within said container to a substantially uniform temperature below the melting point of the powder but at least 600° F to facilitate metallurgical bonding of said powder during conditions of plastic deformation; maintaining over the open-end of said container during heating a cover sufficient to contain the powder and to allow for escape of gases evolved from heating the powder within said container but to retain in said container a sufficient portion of said gases to effectively shield the powder and provide an oxidation protective atmosphere; and forging said container with said powder therein into a forged shape of the article having a predetermined density of at least 99% by compressing within substantially closed dies and effecting plastic flow of the metal, the dies having provision for escape of excess metal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 45 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said container is composed of light gauge metal foil or formed sheet of sufficient strength to contain the powder and maintain its shape during the steps of placing and heating of the powder in said container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 25 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said metal foil container is of a gauge thickness of between 0.0005 inch to 0.040 inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 37 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said container is composed of material having the same composition as said powdered metal to serve as an exterior surface of the forged article having a homogeneous composition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 35 words
A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said container is composed of material which differs in composition from the metal powder and is compatible therewith to provide a cladding on the forged article.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 47 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein more than one metal powder is placed in selected locations in said metal container, each metal powder having different compositions and characteristics to provide a composite forged article having different mechanical properties and metallurgical characteristics at the locations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 23 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said loose powdered metal is packed in said container without deforming said metal powder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 33 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said die is preheated to a temperature that is higher than said temperature sufficient to facilitate bonding of the metal powder during plastic deformation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 22 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover is composed of material having the same composition as said container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 23 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein forging of said container with said powder therein is performed in one compressive step.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 17 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the container is aluminum or an alloy thereof.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 195 words
A method for forging metal powders of aluminum and its alloys comprises: placing in an open-ended readily deformable metal foil container an amount of loose powder, said container having a general shape of an article to be forged, and the amount of said powder being an excess of metal needed to forge the article to a predetermined density; substantially closing the open-end of said container with a cover of the same composition as said container to contain the powder and to allow for venting of a portion of gases evolved from heating the powder within said container while shielding the powder and providing an oxidation protective atmosphere in said container by retaining a portion of said gases; heating said powder within said container to a substantially uniform temperature below the melting point of the powder but at least 600° F to facilitate metallurgical bonding of said powder during plastic deformation; and forging said container with said powder therein in one compressive step to effect plastic flow of the metal into a forged shape of the article having a predetermined density of at least 99% within substantially closed dies having relief for escape of excess metal.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 195 words
A method for forging metal powders of aluminum and its alloys comprises: placing in an open-ended readily deformable metal foil container an amount of loose powder, said container having a general shape of an article to be forged, and the amount of said powder being an excess of metal needed to forge the article to a predetermined density; substantially closing the open-end of said container with a cover of the same composition as said container to contain the powder and to allow for venting of a portion of gases evolved from heating the powder within said container while shielding the powder and providing an oxidation protective atmosphere in said container by retaining a portion of said gases; heating said powder within said container to a substantially uniform temperature below the melting point of the powder but at least 600° F to facilitate metallurgical bonding of said powder during plastic deformation; and forging said container with said powder therein in one compressive step to effect plastic flow of the metal into a forged shape of the article having a predetermined density of at least 99% within substantially closed dies having relief for escape of excess metal.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3631583A Cited
US3791800A Cited
US3866303A Cited
US3899821A Cited
US6834003B2 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1981-01-16 1981-07-18 1982-01-17 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1985-01-16 1985-07-18 1986-01-17 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1989-01-16 1989-07-18 1990-01-17 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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