A method and apparatus for the generative production of a three-dimensional component in a processing chamber are disclosed. The method performs the steps of providing a metal starting material in the processing chamber and melting the starting material by inputting energy, which are repeated multiple times. A process gas is passed through the processing chamber in a circuit. Hydrogen is added to the circulating gas, then the circulating gas is heated to a temperature above 500 C. and then cooled to a temperature below 60 C.

A method and apparatus for the generative production of a three-dimensional component in a processing chamber are disclosed. The method performs the steps of providing a metal starting material in the processing chamber and melting the starting material by inputting energy, which are repeated multiple times. A process gas is passed through the processing chamber in a circuit. Hydrogen is added to the circulating gas, then the circulating gas is heated to a temperature above 500 C. and then cooled to a temperature below 60 C.

The application describes a machine tool adapted and arranged to carry out removal and addition of material on a work piece located in a work station, the machine having a first head arranged to remove material from the work piece and at least a second head arranged to process the work piece, each of the first and second heads being arranged to be moveable in at least two axes and preferably in 3, 4 or 5 axes and wherein the machine is arranged to control an environment of the work station. The work station is at least partially sealable. The machine has a clean side and a dirty side. Novel processing heads particularly adapted for use in the new machine tool are disclosed. These may also be retrofitted to CNC machines. The novel heads include heads adapted to carry out two processes simultaneously. Heads adapted to carry out heat and pressure treatment are also disclosed. Use of the processing heads to carry out analysis in manufacturing steps is disclosed as is the provision and use of heads that can carry out analysis as well as processing.

The application describes a machine tool adapted and arranged to carry out removal and addition of material on a work piece located in a work station, the machine having a first head arranged to remove material from the work piece and at least a second head arranged to process the work piece, each of the first and second heads being arranged to be moveable in at least two axes and preferably in 3, 4 or 5 axes and wherein the machine is arranged to control an environment of the work station. The work station is at least partially sealable. The machine has a clean side and a dirty side. Novel processing heads particularly adapted for use in the new machine tool are disclosed. These may also be retrofitted to CNC machines. The novel heads include heads adapted to carry out two processes simultaneously. Heads adapted to carry out heat and pressure treatment are also disclosed. Use of the processing heads to carry out analysis in manufacturing steps is disclosed as is the provision and use of heads that can carry out analysis as well as processing.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of making a composite. In some embodiments, the method includes applying an external magnetic field to a mixture composed of a plurality of magnetic materials in a container, in which the external magnetic field produces a homogenous and uniform magnetic flux in the container. In some embodiments, the method further includes solidifying the mixture to result in the growth of solvent crystals in the mixture, and subliming a solvent phase of the mixture in the container to thereby form a composite having uniformly aligned magnetic materials. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a composite having uniformly aligned magnetic materials. In some embodiments, a majority of the magnetic materials in the composite are aligned in the same direction.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a method of making a composite. In some embodiments, the method includes applying an external magnetic field to a mixture composed of a plurality of magnetic materials in a container, in which the external magnetic field produces a homogenous and uniform magnetic flux in the container. In some embodiments, the method further includes solidifying the mixture to result in the growth of solvent crystals in the mixture, and subliming a solvent phase of the mixture in the container to thereby form a composite having uniformly aligned magnetic materials. In an additional embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a composite having uniformly aligned magnetic materials. In some embodiments, a majority of the magnetic materials in the composite are aligned in the same direction.

Novel metallic systems and methods for their fabrication provide an extreme creep-resistant nano-crystalline metallic material. The material comprises a matrix formed of a solvent metal with crystalline grains having diameters of no more than about 500 nm, and a plurality of dispersed metallic particles formed on the basis of a solute metal in the solvent metal matrix and having diameters of no more than about 200 nm. The particle density along the grain boundary of the matrix is as high as about 2 nm.sup.2 of grain boundary area per particle so as to substantially block grain boundary motion and rotation and limit creep at temperatures above 35% of the melting point of the material.

Novel metallic systems and methods for their fabrication provide an extreme creep-resistant nano-crystalline metallic material. The material comprises a matrix formed of a solvent metal with crystalline grains having diameters of no more than about 500 nm, and a plurality of dispersed metallic particles formed on the basis of a solute metal in the solvent metal matrix and having diameters of no more than about 200 nm. The particle density along the grain boundary of the matrix is as high as about 2 nm.sup.2 of grain boundary area per particle so as to substantially block grain boundary motion and rotation and limit creep at temperatures above 35% of the melting point of the material.

A process for producing a metal foam includes mechanically working a metallic powder such that oxide particles are finely dispersed within a metallic matrix and annealing the mechanically worked metallic powder in a vacuum the annealed metallic powder such that intraparticle porosity is formed by decomposition of the oxide particles at elevated temperature to reduce the oxide particles to metallic form and liberate the oxygen atoms in gaseous form, thereby creating porosity.

A process for producing a metal foam includes mechanically working a metallic powder such that oxide particles are finely dispersed within a metallic matrix and annealing the mechanically worked metallic powder in a vacuum the annealed metallic powder such that intraparticle porosity is formed by decomposition of the oxide particles at elevated temperature to reduce the oxide particles to metallic form and liberate the oxygen atoms in gaseous form, thereby creating porosity.