Stackpole Limited

The Gates Corporation

Stackpole International Powder Metal, Ulc

Johnson Electric Canada Ltd.

Roger Lawcock

Peter Jones

Rohith Shivanath

Yahya Hodjat

Brendan Ayre

An interconnector for a solid oxide fuel cell is manufactured by single-press compacting a powder blend to form a green interconnector with a desired shape of a final interconnector. The powder blend includes chromium and iron, and may include an organic lubricant. At least 50 wt % or more of an iron portion of the powder blend comprises iron particles smaller than 45 um. The green interconnector is then sintered and oxidized to form the final interconnector. The oxidation step occurs in a continuous flow furnace in which a controlled atmosphere (e.g., humidified air) is fed into the furnace in the travel direction of the interconnector. The final interconnector comprises at least 90 wt % chromium, at least 3 wt % iron, and less than 0.2 wt % nitrogen. An average density within a flow field of the final interconnector may be less than 6.75 g/cc.

Fuel cell interconnector and method for making a fuel cell interconnector

A method of manufacturing powder metal plates comprising feeding a predetermined mass of metal powder onto a moving tape (), restricting the metal powder by surrounding the metal powder with vibrating boundary walls () extending parallel to the direction of movement of the tape, rolling the metal powder at an ambient temperature to form a green compact strip (GS), continuously sintering the green compact strip in a furnace (), forming the green compact strip to a net shape part (NS) while in the furnace, and cooling the net shape part in a non-oxidizing environment () at a temperature in excess of 1000 degrees Celsius.

Method of manufacturing powder metal plates

The invention relates to methods of forming sintered compacts of low alloy steel composition to high density at ambient temperature. The invention provides for a method of forming sintered powder metal articles by forming the sintered powder metal in a die cavity having a clearance for movement of said sintered powder metal to a final shape with increased density after compaction wherein the formed sintered powder metal article has a compaction length which is approximately 3 to 30% less than the original length.

High density forming process with ferro alloy and prealloy

A method for making a high density powdered metal article is provided. In one embodiment, the composition consists of iron based powder, lubricant, graphite and ferro alloy additions. Satisfactory results may also be achieved by using fully prealloyed grades of metal powders, substantially pure powder blends, fully prealloyed powder blends, partially prealloyed powder blends and powder blends containing ferro alloys. The composition is compacted in rigid tools at ambient temperature, sintering at high temperature greater than 1100.degree. C. and then formed in rigid tools at 40 to 90 tons per square inch to a density greater than 94% of theoretical. The high density article is then annealed. The final article demonstrates remarkable mechanical properties which are atypical of powdered metal components and approach those of wrought steel.

High density forming process with powder blends

A manufacturing method is provided for the production of high density, high carbon, sintered powder metal steels. The composition consists of iron based powder, graphite, lubricant, and possibly at least one alloying element from the group of chromium, copper, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium or vanadium. The composition is compacted in rigid tools, sintered and during cooling an isothermal or slow cooling treatment is introduced between 650.degree. C. and 750.degree. C. The isothermal or slow cooling treatment may alternatively be applied during a heat treatment cycle that is carried out after a conventional sintering cycle. The material processed as described may then be formed to high density. Forming to high density is not practical with high carbon materials that have been processed by conventional methods. The high density article is then heat treated in a manner to suit specific product requirements. The mechanical properties achieved by the claimed process offer significant benefits when compared to conventionally processed sintered powder metal articles.

High carbon, high density forming

A method for making a high density powdered metal article is provided. The composition consists of iron based powder, lubricant, graphite and ferro alloy additions. The composition is compacted in rigid tools at ambient temperature, sintered at high temperature and then formed in rigid tools at 40 to 90 tons per square inch to a density greater than 94% of theoretical. The high density article is then annealed. The final article demonstrates remarkable mechanical properties which are atypical of powdered metal components and approach those of wrought steel.

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Burlington, Canada

Roger Lawcock