fine nickel powder type 210 which is a submicron size filamentary powder it is produced by the thermal decomposition of nickel carbonyl and is virtually free of other metallic impurities other suitable nickel powders and other metal powders are also available from inco conventional additives can also be added to the aqueous dispensing fluid such additives would include for example a biocide to inhibit microorganism growth in dispensing fluid other conventional additives can also be added once the metal fibers have been dispersed in the aqueous dispensing fluid the dispensing fluid is then applied to a screen as is conventional in papermaking process the aqueous dispensing fluid is then removed in order to form the metal fiber sheet generally this is done through vacuum suction of the fluid through the screen in a preferred embodiment the process of the present invention is conducted in a closed system where the dispensing fluid removed from the metal fibers is recycled and reused turning now to the figure of the drawing a mixing vessel 1 contains the aqueous dispensing fluid together with the non carboxy containing water soluble polymer such as starch the dry metal fiber is added via 2 into the dispensing fluid mixing is achieved by a stirrer 3 generally the mixer 3 is.