Abstract:
A method of producing self-supporting ceramic bodies (10) having a modified metal-containing component includes first providing a self-supporting ceramic body (10) comprising (i) a polycrystalline oxidation reaction product (12) formed upon oxidation of a molten parent metal precursor with an oxidant, and (ii) an interconnected metal-containing component (14) at least partially accessible from one or more surfaces (15) of said ceramic body (10). The surface or surfaces (15) of the ceramic body (10) is contacted with a quantity of foreign metal different from said interconnected metal-containing component (14) at a temperature and for a time sufficient to allow for interdiffusion, whereby at least a portion of said metal-containing component (14) is displaced by said foreign metal. The resulting ceramic body, having an altered metal-containing component, exhibits modified or improved properties.
Abstract:
A method of producing self-supporting ceramic bodies (10) having a modified metal-containing component includes first providing a self-supporting ceramic body (10) comprising (i) a polycrystalline oxidation reaction product (12) formed upon oxidation of a molten parent metal precursor with an oxidant, and (ii) an interconnected metal-containing component (14) at least partially accessible from one or more surfaces (15) of said ceramic body (10). The surface or surfaces (15) of the ceramic body (10) is contacted with a quantity of foreign metal different from said interconnected metal-containing component (14) at a temperature and for a time sufficient to allow for interdiffusion, whereby at least a portion of said metal-containing component (14) is displaced by said foreign metal. The resulting ceramic body, having an altered metal-containing component, exhibits modified or improved properties.
Abstract:
A method of making self-supporting ceramic composite structures having filler embedded therein includes infiltrating a permeable mass of filler with polycrystalline material comprising an oxidation reaction product obtained by oxidation of a parent metal such as aluminum and optionally containing therein non-oxidized constituents of the parent metal. The structure is formed by placing a parent metal adjacent to a permeable filler and heating the assembly to melt the parent metal and provide a molten body of parent metal which is contacted with a suitable vapor-phase oxidant. Within a certain temperature region and optionally aided by one or more dopants in or on the parent metal, molten parent metal will migrate through previously formed oxidation reaction product into contact with the oxidant, causing the oxidation reaction product to grow so as to embed the adjacent filler and provide the composite structure.