Patent ID: 7192464
Filing Date: 2007-03-20
Classification: B22F

Abstract:
1. A process for the preparation of pressable metal powder, the process comprising: providing a dry blend comprising a plurality of metal particles and a powdered polysaccharide; contacting the dry blend under mixing conditions with an amount of water sufficient to partially hydrate the polysaccharide and to coat the plurality of metal particles with the partially hydrated polysaccharide; drying the mixture to substantially dehydrate the polysaccharide; and comminuting the dried mixture to form a plurality of substantially dry, discrete agglomerates, wherein at least a portion of the agglomerates comprise a first metal particle adhered to a second metal particle by a binder comprising the polysaccharide, and wherein the first metal particle is a gas atomized metal particle and/or the second metal particle is a gas atomized metal particle.