Patent ID: 7361301
Filing Date: 2008-04-22
Classification: B22F,B30B

Abstract:
1. A method for consolidating a particulate material comprising the steps of: situating an iron or stainless steel particulate material in an area of a particulate material die, said particulate material die comprising at least one insulator that defines said area; compressing the particulate material in said particulate material die using a first punch and a second punch; energizing said particulate material to a predetermined energy level for a duration of at least 0.1 second at a current of less than about 10 KA/cm monitoring a characteristic of said particulate material during said compressing step and generating a feedback signal in response thereto; adjusting said predetermined energy level in response to said feedback signal during said compressing step while said particulate material is being consolidated to form a densified and consolidated structure of said particulate material.