Inventors:
William L. Otto - Leechburg PA
Edward G. Flynn - Pittsburgh PA
Assignee:
Aluminum Company of America - Pittsburgh PA
International Classification:
B22F 300, B22F 314
Abstract:
A method is provided for producing a fully dense high temperature powdered metal component. This process comprises the steps of filling a centrally located mold cavity with a high temperature powder, heating the filled mold to a temperature greater than half the melting temperature of the powder in degrees centigrade and less than the melting temperature of the powder, while the cavity is maintained in a vacuum level of at least twenty microns of mercury, axially compressing the heated mold while maintaining the vacuum at a pressure of at least 345 megapascals, while restricting the mold about its lateral periphery holding the mold in a compressed state for at least 20 seconds after attaining maximum pressure, and separating the mold materials from the component. The mold is composed of a material having substantially the same flow stress throughout, and the material is able to maintain its dimensional stability in a viscoelastic state at a temperature of between approximately 950. degree. to 1300. degree. C.