A method for forming a three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a metal powder bed is provided, comprising the steps of: distributing a first metal powder layer on a work table inside a build chamber, directing at least one high energy beam from at least one high energy beam source over the work table causing the first metal powder layer to fuse in selected locations, distributing a second metal powder layer on the work table, directing at least one high energy beam over the work table causing the second metal powder layer to fuse in selected locations, introducing a first supplementary gas into the build chamber, which first supplementary gas comprising hydrogen, is capable of reacting chemically with or being absorbed by a finished three-dimensional article, and releasing a predefined concentration of the gas which had reacted chemically with or being absorbed by the finished three dimensional article.

A method for forming a three-dimensional article through successive fusion of parts of a metal powder bed is provided, comprising the steps of: distributing a first metal powder layer on a work table inside a build chamber, directing at least one high energy beam from at least one high energy beam source over the work table causing the first metal powder layer to fuse in selected locations, distributing a second metal powder layer on the work table, directing at least one high energy beam over the work table causing the second metal powder layer to fuse in selected locations, introducing a first supplementary gas into the build chamber, which first supplementary gas comprising hydrogen, is capable of reacting chemically with or being absorbed by a finished three-dimensional article, and releasing a predefined concentration of the gas which had reacted chemically with or being absorbed by the finished three dimensional article.

Provided are methods and devices for forming high nitrogen steel. The processes include heating a steel precursor to a temperature that transforms the steel into an austenite of FCC wherein the heating is in a nitrogen containing atmosphere. After an optional nitrogen uptake time, the precursor is further heated to a temperature above the T.sub.γN of the steel yet below the melting point of the steel thereby preserving a solid and creating a solid solution of nitrogen. The second temperature is optionally maintained for a nitride conversion time, optionally wherein the nitride conversion time is too short to result in sintering of the steel. The process further includes rapid quenching of the precursor powder to maintain the nitrogen solid solution and prevent nitride formation thereby forming a high nitrogen steel with little to no nitride content and including nitrogen in solid solution.

Provided are methods and devices for forming high nitrogen steel. The processes include heating a steel precursor to a temperature that transforms the steel into an austenite of FCC wherein the heating is in a nitrogen containing atmosphere. After an optional nitrogen uptake time, the precursor is further heated to a temperature above the T.sub.γN of the steel yet below the melting point of the steel thereby preserving a solid and creating a solid solution of nitrogen. The second temperature is optionally maintained for a nitride conversion time, optionally wherein the nitride conversion time is too short to result in sintering of the steel. The process further includes rapid quenching of the precursor powder to maintain the nitrogen solid solution and prevent nitride formation thereby forming a high nitrogen steel with little to no nitride content and including nitrogen in solid solution.

A method for producing fine copper particles includes producing fine copper particles having a coating film containing cuprous oxide on a surface by heating copper or a copper compound in a reducing flame formed by a burner. The fine copper particles are produced by adjusting a mixing ratio between a combustible gas and a combustion supporting gas which form the reducing flame such that a volume ratio of CO/CO.sub.2 is in a range of 1.5 to 2.4.

Methods and systems for manufacturing a component are disclosed. The method for manufacturing a component typically comprises blending a silicon nitride powder and a titanium alloy powder to form a combined powder; receiving the combined powder within a build chamber having a platform and a laser beam source configured to produce a laser beam; spreading a plurality of layers of the combined powder over the platform; fusing at least a portion of the combined powder in each of the plurality of layers using the laser beam, wherein each one of the plurality of layers is spread and the portion of the combined powder fused before another one of the plurality of layers is spread, wherein the laser beam is automatically guided by a 3D model of the component; and removing the combined powder that was not fused.

Methods and systems for manufacturing a component are disclosed. The method for manufacturing a component typically comprises blending a silicon nitride powder and a titanium alloy powder to form a combined powder; receiving the combined powder within a build chamber having a platform and a laser beam source configured to produce a laser beam; spreading a plurality of layers of the combined powder over the platform; fusing at least a portion of the combined powder in each of the plurality of layers using the laser beam, wherein each one of the plurality of layers is spread and the portion of the combined powder fused before another one of the plurality of layers is spread, wherein the laser beam is automatically guided by a 3D model of the component; and removing the combined powder that was not fused.

A method for manufacturing FeNi ordered alloy having a L1.sub.0 type order structure is provided. After a nitrification process for nitriding a powder sample of a FeNi disordered alloy arranged in a tube furnace is performed using a NH.sub.3 gas, a de-nitrification process for removing a nitrogen from the FeNi disordered alloy which is processed by the nitrification process is performed using a H.sub.2 gas. Thus, the L1.sub.0 type FeNi ordered alloy with a regularity defined by S equal to or higher than 0.5 is obtained.

A method for manufacturing FeNi ordered alloy having a L1.sub.0 type order structure is provided. After a nitrification process for nitriding a powder sample of a FeNi disordered alloy arranged in a tube furnace is performed using a NH.sub.3 gas, a de-nitrification process for removing a nitrogen from the FeNi disordered alloy which is processed by the nitrification process is performed using a H.sub.2 gas. Thus, the L1.sub.0 type FeNi ordered alloy with a regularity defined by S equal to or higher than 0.5 is obtained.

A preparation method of cemented carbide with FeCoCu medium-entropy alloy as binding phase is provided. The preparation method includes: 1) preparing FeCoCu precursor powders by solution combustion synthesis; 2) preparing FeCoCu medium-entropy alloy powders by mechanical alloying; 3) evenly mixing the FeCoCu medium-entropy alloy powders with ultra-fine WC powders and a binder to obtain mixed powders and pressing the mixed powders into a shaped green body; 4) preparing a WC-FeCoCu cemented carbide by microwave sintering after removing the binder from the shaped green body. The preparation method reduces sintering temperature and time and obtains a new-type cemented carbide with fine grains, high hardness and good toughness while reducing the cost.