the invention is not limited thereto rhenium powders average particle size 25 microns were consolidated to near theoretical density 96 99 without significant grain growth by processing at 1100 1400 u00b0 c and 400 600 mpa with isothermal holding time of 1 10 minutes the sample size ranged from u00bd to 2 u2033 in length and u00bd to 1 u2033 in diameter tungsten powders average particle size 0 2 to 4 microns were consolidated to near theoretical density 96 99 without significant grain growth by processing at 1100 1600 u00b0 c and at 10 900 mpa for 1 10 minutes the sample size ranged from u00bd to 2 u2033 in length and u00bd to 1 u2033 in diameter ultrafine iron powders average particle size lt 0 1 microns were consolidated to near theoretical density 96 99 without significant grain growth by processing at 500 950 u00b0 c and 50 900 mpa for 1 5 minutes the sample size ranged from u00bd to 2 u2033 in length and u00bd to 1 u2033 in diameter molybdenum copper composite powders average particle size 1 3 micron were consolidated to near theoretical density 95 97 at 900 1150 u00b0 c and at 50 900 mpa in less than 20 minutes the sample size ranged from u00bd to 2 u2033 in length and u00bd to 1 u2033 in diameter tungsten carbide cobalt powders with average particle size lt 1 0 micron to up to 12 microns were consolidated to near theoretical density 96 99 at 1300 u00b0 c and at 700 mpa in less than 5 minutes the sample size ranged from u00bd to 2 u2033 in length and u00bd to.