Abstract:
The present invention relates to the formation of a macrocomposite body by spontaneously infiltrating a permeable mass of filler material or a preform (4) with molten matrix metal (2) and bonding the spontaneously infiltrated material to at least one second material such as a ceramic or ceramic containing body and/or a metal or metal containing body. Particularly, an infiltration enhancer and/or infiltration enhancer precursor and/or infiltrating atmosphere are in communication with a filler material or a preform (4), at least at some point during the process, which permits molten matrix metal (2) to spontaneously infiltrate the filler material or preform (4). Moreover, prior to infiltration, the filler material or preform (4) is placed into contact with at least a portion of a second material such that after infiltration of the filler material or preform (4), the infiltrated material is bonded to the second material, thereby forming a macrocomposite body.
Abstract:
Self-supporting bodies are produced by reactive infiltration of a parent metal (10) into boron carbide (12) typically resulting in a composite comprising a boron-containing compound and metal. The mass to be infiltrated may contain one or more inert fillers admixed with the boron carbide (12), or at least one carbon donor material, to produce a composite by reactive infiltration, which composite comprises a matrix of metal and boron-containing compound embedding the filler. The relative amounts of reactants and process conditions may be altered or controlled to yield a body containing varying volume percents of ceramic, metal and/or porosity. The mass to be infiltrated can be contained within a refractory vessel (16) having a venting means included therein.
Abstract:
Self-supporting bodies are produced by reactive infiltration of a «boron source with a parent metal» typically resulting in a composite comprising a parent metal boride and metal. The mass to be infiltrated may contain one or more inert fillers admixed with the boron source to produce a composite by reactive infiltration, which composite comprises a matrix of metal and parent metal boride embedding the filler. The relative amounts of reactants and process conditions may be altered or controlled to yield a body containing varying volume percents of ceramic, metal and/or porosity.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the formation of a macrocomposite body by spontaneously infiltrating a permeable mass of filler material or a preform (4) with molten matrix metal (2) and bonding the spontaneously infiltrated material to at least one second material such as a ceramic or ceramic containing body and/or a metal or metal containing body. Particularly, an infiltration enhancer and/or infiltration enhancer precursor and/or infiltrating atmosphere are in communication with a filler material or a preform (4), at least at some point during the process, which permits molten matrix metal (2) to spontaneously infiltrate the filler material or preform (4). Moreover, prior to infiltration, the filler material or preform (4) is placed into contact with at least a portion of a second material such that after infiltration of the filler material or preform (4), the infiltrated material is bonded to the second material, thereby forming a macrocomposite body.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the formation of metal matrix composite bodies by a spontaneous infiltration technique, and novel metal matrix composite bodies produced according to the method. An ingot (4) of matrix metal is surrounded by a permeable mass of filler material (5). An infiltration enhancer and/or an infiltration enhancer precursor and/or an infiltrating atmosphere are also in communication with the filler material (5), at least at some point during the process, which permit the shaped ingot (4) of matrix metal, when made molten, to spontaneously infiltrate the surrounding permeable mass of filler material (5). After the spontaneous infiltration, a metal matrix composite body is produced having therein a cavity which substantially corresponds in shape to the original ingot (4) of matrix metal.
Abstract:
A method for manufacture of Group IV metal carbide ceramic composites is provided wherein a permeable mass (14) of filler and a carbon source is contacted with a molten Group IVA metal (12). The molten metal (12) is maintained in contact with the permeable mass (14) for a sufficient period to infiltrate the permeable mass and to react the molten metal with carbon source to form a Group IVA metal carbide, composite. The filler may be a Group IVA metal carbide, or other inert filler, or a combination.