Patent ID: 8168118
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
Classification: B22F,C23C,H01G,H01J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for forming a surface-nitrided metal powder, comprising: heating a metal powder in the presence of a getter material having an affinity for oxygen that is higher than that of said metal powder; removing said getter material from said metal powder; and surface-nitriding said metal powder to form a surface-nitrided metal powder having an oxygen content of about 300 ppm or less and having a nitrogen content of at least about 100 ppm, wherein removing said getter material occurs before, after, or concurrently with said surface-nitriding, and consolidating said surface-nitrided metal powder by a powder metallurgy technique to form a metallurgical article, wherein said metallurgical article is a sputter target.