Abstract:
Systems and methods for refining or otherwise processing tungsten alloys, including ferrotungsten powder and articles formed therefrom, and methods for detecting the presence of the same. The methods include at least one of magnetically-separating and particle-size-separating ferrotungsten or ferrotungsten-containing powder. In some embodiments, powder may be separated to remove fine particles, and optionally to separate the remaining particles into fractions containing selected particle size distributions. The powder additionally or alternatively may be separated into at least magnetic and non-magnetic fractions. In some embodiments, portions of two or more size and/or magnetism fractions are mixed to provide a ferrotungsten-containing feedstock. Selected fractions resulting from the size and magnetism separation steps may be utilized to provide a ferrotungsten-containing feedstock from which articles are produced and which may include additional components.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a pressed powder electrode for an electrochemical power source for use with an implantable medical device is provided. The method includes surrounding a current collector with layered sections of electrode powder. The method also includes compacting the electrode powder against the current collector from opposite sides to form an electrode pellet using springs having spring constants calculated to relieve a gap difference in equal strokes from each side. The resulting electrode pellet includes a substantially centered collector. According to various embodiments, compacting the electrode powder includes compacting using at least two springs on opposite sides of the current collector. Compacting the electrode powder includes using at least one forced air supply to compact the powder, according to various embodiments. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
Abstract:
A method of densifying a surface of a powder metallurgy article and an apparatus for the same are provided. A powder metallurgy blank is fixed in position in a fixture for being subjected to a surface treatment that employs an actuating member to exert to a pre-selected surface of the powder metallurgy blank simultaneously a spinning force and a vertically pressing force. The pre-selected surface can thus be densified to have sufficient wear resistance due to the application of the bi-directional forces.