The invention relates in a first aspect to a process for preparing a 3-dimensional body, in particular a vitreous or ceramic body, which comprises at least the following steps: a) providing an electrostatically stabilized suspension of particles; b) effecting a local destabilization of the suspension of particles by means of a localized electrical discharge between a charge injector and the suspension at a predetermined position and causing an aggregation and precipitation of the particles at said position; c) repeating step b) at different positions and causing the formation of larger aggregates until a final aggregate of particles representing a (porous) 3-dimensional body (green body) having predetermined dimensions has been formed; wherein the charge injector includes i) at least one discharge electrode which does not contact said suspension of particles or ii) a source of charged particles. A second aspect of the invention relates to a device, in particular for performing the above process, comprising at least the following components: —a vessel for receiving an electrostatically stabilized suspension of particles, —a charge injector, in particular including one or more electrodes or a source of high-energy charged particles, —means for moving the electrode and/or the vessel in the x, y and z directions, —a counter electrode arranged in the vessel for a contact with the suspension of particles, —one or more sensors for determining geometrical and physical parameters within said vessel. In one preferred embodiment, said device further comprises a means for directing a beam of gas-ionizing radiation, in particular a laser beam, to a predetermined position within the vessel.

A metal-ceramic article and method for creating the same is disclosed in which the article has undergone machining to remove outer surface volume. The article is then treated to enhance the characteristics of at least the machined surface to be comparable to the original surface. In the disclosed application the machining extends into an inner layer of the article in which the article consists purely of a metal.

An alloy powder contains greater than or equal to 3% by mass and less than or equal to 30% by mass of tungsten, greater than or equal to 2% by mass and less than or equal to 30% by mass of aluminum, greater than or equal to 0.2% by mass and less than or equal to 15% by mass of oxygen, and at least one of cobalt and nickel as the balance. The alloy powder has an average particle diameter of greater than or equal to 0.1 μm and less than or equal to 10 μm.

An alloy powder contains greater than or equal to 3% by mass and less than or equal to 30% by mass of tungsten, greater than or equal to 2% by mass and less than or equal to 30% by mass of aluminum, greater than or equal to 0.2% by mass and less than or equal to 15% by mass of oxygen, and at least one of cobalt and nickel as the balance. The alloy powder has an average particle diameter of greater than or equal to 0.1 μm and less than or equal to 10 μm.

A 3D printing method includes mixing a sintered component which is selected from the group comprising ceramic materials, ceramic material combinations, metal materials, metal material combinations and metal alloys, with at least one surface coating component which is selected from the group comprising boron nitride, graphene, carbon nanotubes, tungsten sulfide, tungsten carbide, molybdenum sulfide, molybdenum carbide, calcium fluoride, caesium molybdenum oxide sulfide, titanium silicon carbide and cerium fluoride, in a powder mixture; and laser sintering or laser melting the powder mixture in a selective laser sintering method or a selective laser melting method.

An article includes a microscale composite material having a matrix with titanium boride particles configured to form an insert in a metallic mass being comprised of material other than a consolidated titanium-based metallic composition having titanium particles.

The invention relates in a first aspect to a process for preparing a 3-dimensional body, in particular a vitreous or ceramic body, which comprises at least the following steps: a) providing an electrostatically stabilized suspension of particles; b) effecting a local destabilization of the suspension of particles by means of a localized electrical discharge between a charge injector and the suspension at a predetermined position and causing an aggregation and precipitation of the particles at said position; c) repeating step b) at different positions and causing the formation of larger aggregates until a final aggregate of particles representing a (porous) 3-dimensional body (green body) having predetermined dimensions has been formed; wherein the charge injector includes i) at least one discharge electrode which does not contact said suspension of particles or ii) a source of charged particles. A second aspect of the invention relates to a device, in particular for performing the above process, comprising at least the following components: a vessel for receiving an electrostatically stabilized suspension of particles, a charge injector, in particular including one or more electrodes or a source of high-energy charged particles, means for moving the electrode and/or the vessel in the x, y and z directions, a counter electrode arranged in the vessel for a contact with the suspension of particles, one or more sensors for determining geometrical and physical parameters within said vessel. In one preferred embodiment, said device further comprises a means for directing a beam of gas-ionizing radiation, in particular a laser beam, to a predetermined position within the vessel.

An alloy powder contains greater than or equal to 3% by mass and less than or equal to 30% by mass of tungsten, greater than or equal to 2% by mass and less than or equal to 30% by mass of aluminum, greater than or equal to 0.2% by mass and less than or equal to 15% by mass of oxygen, and at least one of cobalt and nickel as the balance. The alloy powder has an average particle diameter of greater than or equal to 0.1 m and less than or equal to 10 m.

An alloy powder contains greater than or equal to 3% by mass and less than or equal to 30% by mass of tungsten, greater than or equal to 2% by mass and less than or equal to 30% by mass of aluminum, greater than or equal to 0.2% by mass and less than or equal to 15% by mass of oxygen, and at least one of cobalt and nickel as the balance. The alloy powder has an average particle diameter of greater than or equal to 0.1 m and less than or equal to 10 m.