Because the process occurs in the solid state, oxide pre-forms
can be made to a required shape and then reduced directly to
a near net shape metal component. The implication of this is
that Metalysis can reduce an oxide to its metal in any shape
desired by the user. This is commercially interesting since:
- Metal oxide powders are easy to manipulate
and hence can be easily formed into required (and potentially
complex) shape.
- It provides considerable saving on complex
downstream machining where difficult shapes are required.
- It is particularly valuable with metals or alloys of very high
strength or toughness which make machining operations difficult.
Whilst simple near net shape products have been made, much work
needs to be undertaken before this is likely to be commercialised.
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