An alloy represented by the formula (Mn.sub.xAl.sub.y)C.sub.z, the alloy being aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), and carbon (C), and optionally unavoidable impurities; wherein x=56.0 to 59.0 y=41.0 to 44.0 x+y=100, and z=1.5 to 2.4. The alloy is highly suitable for forming the and phase in high purity and high microstructural homogeneity. A method for processing an alloy of formula (Mn.sub.xAl.sub.y)C.sub.z, wherein x=52.0 to 59.0, y=41.0 to 48.0, x+y=100, and z=0.1 to 3.0, the process including providing the raw materials of the alloy, melting the raw materials, and forming particles of the alloy by gas atomization of the molten alloy.

Methods are provided for synthesizing high purity niobium or rhenium powders by a combustion reaction. The methods can include: forming a combustion synthesis solution by dissolving in water an oxidizer, a fuel, and at least one base-soluble, ammonium salt of niobium or rhenium in amounts that yield a stoichiometric burn when combusted; and heating the combustion synthesis solution to a temperature sufficient to substantially remove the water and to initiate a self-sustaining combustion reaction.

Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention fabricate objects including amorphous metals using techniques akin to additive manufacturing. In one embodiment, a method of fabricating an object that includes an amorphous metal includes: applying a first layer of molten metallic alloy to a surface; cooling the first layer of molten metallic alloy such that it solidifies and thereby forms a first layer including amorphous metal; subsequently applying at least one layer of molten metallic alloy onto a layer including amorphous metal; cooling each subsequently applied layer of molten metallic alloy such that it solidifies and thereby forms a layer including amorphous metal prior to the application of any adjacent layer of molten metallic alloy; where the aggregate of the solidified layers including amorphous metal forms a desired shape in the object to be fabricated; and removing at least the first layer including amorphous metal from the surface.

In various embodiments, metallic alloy powders are formed at least in part by spray drying to form agglomerate particles and/or plasma densification to form composite particles.

A tantalum powder, a tantalum powder compact, a tantalum powder sintered body, a tantalum anode, an electrolytic capacitor and a preparation method for tantalum powder. The tantalum powder contains boron element, and the tantalum powder has a specific surface area of greater than or equal to 4 m.sup.2/g; the ratio of the boron content of the tantalum powder to the specific surface area of the tantalum powder is 216; the boron content is measured in weight ppm, and the specific surface area is measured in m.sup.2/g; Powder that can pass through a -mesh screen in the tantalum powder accounts for over 85% of the total weight of the tantalum powder, where =150170; and the tantalum powder with high CV has a low leakage current and dielectric loss, and good moldability.

In various embodiments, three-dimensional layered metallic parts are substantially free of gaps between successive layers, are substantially free of cracks, and have densities no less than 97% of the theoretical density of the metallic material.

Provided is a sputtering target having a molybdenum content of 99.99% by mass or more, a relative density of 98% or more, and an average crystal grain diameter of 400 m or less.

The present disclosure provides a cesium tungsten bronze-based self-cleaning nano heat-insulation coating material, and method of preparing the same. Cesium tungsten bronze nanoparticles are prepared by hydrothermal method using WCl.sub.6 and CsOH.5H.sub.2O as raw materials, PVP as a surfactant and acetic acid as an acid catalyst. TiO.sub.2 nanoparticles are prepared from TiCl.sub.4. Subsequently ball milling and dispersing of the cesium tungsten bronze nanoparticles, the TiO.sub.2 nanoparticles, and a silane coupling agent with water to obtain an aqueous slurry containing cesium tungsten bronze/TiO.sub.2 composite particles is performed. The concentration of the aqueous slurry containing cesium tungsten bronze/TiO.sub.2 composite particles is adjusted to obtain a self-cleaning nano heat-insulation coating material.

Anodes made from powder, such as tantalum powder, that is highly spherical is described. Methods to make the anodes are further described.

A metal powder for 3D printer includes a plurality of metal particles. A particle size distribution of the plurality of metal particles has a maximum peak within particle diameters of 1 m to 200 m. The particle size distribution gives a difference D.sub.90D.sub.10 of 10 m or more between D.sub.90 and D.sub.10, D.sub.90 denoting a particle diameter in which a cumulative percentage is 90% in volume proportion, and D.sub.10 denoting a particle diameter in which a cumulative percentage is 10% in volume proportion.