Nb-Ti alloys were hydrogenated to prepare fine and contamination-free powders. Cracks were introduced in the alloys when they were annealed at 1473 K and cooled in a hydrogen atmosphere. The fragments produced by hydrogen-induced cracking are brittle and the friability enhanced with the Ti content of the alloy, which is beneficial for further refinement of particle size. We also demonstrate that Nb-Ti powders with the average particle size less than 1 m can be produced by ball milling at a temperature lower than 203 K. Furthermore, hydrogen-free powders can then be obtained by annealing above the temperature corresponding to hydrogen desorption from Nb solid solution.

Stainless steel sludge is generated as a waste in the grinding process, and the possibility of recycling stainless steel is considered here. In this study, we considered the possibility of using the stainless steel sludge as metal powder for MIM or raw material for metal foam. For the MIM process, the metal powder will need some improvement, and flotation and spheroidizing processes of the sludge are necessary. For fabrication of the metal foam, untreated sludge can be used, and steel foam about 90% porosity is produced.