Metal articles having a plurality of ultrafine particles dispersed

Abstract

The present invention provides a process for the electroless plating of easily reducible metals onto ultrafine, usually inert, particles. Such plating is achieved through careful and accurate control of such parameters as the feed rates of the various solutions, the control of pH of the solution, the temperature, pressure and the rate of agitation of the solution in which the plating is taking place. The plated ultrafine composite particles and the powders made from the particles produced by the process are also a part of the invention. There is also provided a metal article of manufacture consisting of a metal such as copper, silver, gold, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium and platinum with a plurality of spherical shaped ultrafine particles with a diameter of less than about 10 microns dispersed substantially evenly through the metal article. The articles are fabricated using the plated ultrafine composite powders by methods involving, such as for example, casting, powder metallurgy and mechanical compression. The ultrafine particle is most generally of an inert material. There is also provided a process for making cast articles and recastable mixtures using the plated composite ultrafine powder. The cast articles have the inert ultrafine particles dispersed evenly throughout the cast article.