(19)
(11) EP 1 607 157 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
15.07.2009 Bulletin 2009/29

(43) Date of publication A2:
21.12.2005 Bulletin 2005/51

(21) Application number: 05253052.4

(22) Date of filing: 18.05.2005
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B22F 3/105(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
Designated Extension States:
AL BA HR LV MK YU

(30) Priority: 16.06.2004 GB 0413392

(71) Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
London, SW1E 6AT (GB)

(72) Inventors:
  • Clark, Daniel
    Derby, DE56 1GS (GB)
  • Burrows, Justin
    Stanton by Dale, Derbyshire DE7 4QX (GB)

(74) Representative: Gunn, Michael Alan 
Rolls-Royce plc P.O. Box 31
Derby DE24 8BJ
Derby DE24 8BJ (GB)

   


(54) A method of consolidating a powder


(57) A method of consolidating a powder (10) comprises the steps of filling an electrically conductive container (12) with the powder (10). Any air is evacuated out of the filled container (12), which is then sealed. The sealed container (12) is placed in a die (20) and a force is applied to consolidate the powder (10). Simultaneously an electric pulse and an ultrasonic pulse are applied to the container (12) as the powder (10) is consolidated. The electric and ultrasound pulses are applied during consolidation to disrupt the grain boundaries and assist in the fragmentation of any oxides.
The container (12) is then removed from the die (20) and from the consolidated powder (10).







Search report