Apparatus and method of treating fine powders

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for economic treatment of Geldhart class C or larger substrate powders of single or plural metal, ceramic, or polymeric materials. In particular, the present invention is directed to coating such powder via a fluidized CVD or PVD, electroless, electrochemical, or solution chemistry plating process, and provides processes and apparatus for accomplishing same. It is particularly suited to coating with single or plural layers of metal, ceramic, binder, sintering aid, or polymer onto such materials without agglomeration. The coated particles and products made therefrom exhibit novel physical properties that are not limited by classical chemical and thermodynamic constraints.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application No. 10 / 079,504, filed on Feb. 22, 2002, which is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 423,229, filed on Feb. 29, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,372,346, which is the national stage filing of PCT / US98 / 09767, filed May 13, 1998, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) to U.S. provisional application number 60 / 046, 885 filed May 13, 1997, the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to the treatment, and particularly the encapsulation and deagglomeration of particles previously difficult to coat in a fluidized bed, for example, because of the size and / or density of the particles. Such particles generally comprise metal, binder, ceramic, refractory, or polymer with a coating or coatings of metal, binder, ceramic, sintering aid, or polymer.

[0004] 2. Background Of The Invention

[0005] Encapsulated powders have been p...

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