Abstract:
The present invention broadly relates to novel aluminum nitride matrix ceramic composite bodies for use as refractory materials and methods for making the same. The refractory materials are useful in environments which are corrosive, erosive, abrasive and/or which generate thermal shock. Such environments include furnaces, and associated apparatus which house or contact molten masses including, for example, molten metals, molten glasses, etc. The preferred method for making the aluminum nitride matrix ceramic composites comprises a directed oxidation of molten metal.
Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to mechanisms for preventing undesirable oxidation (i.e., oxidation protection mechanisms) of reinforcement materials in composite bodies. The oxidation protection mechanisms include getterer materials which are added to the composite body which gather or scavenge undesirable oxidants which may enter the composite body. The getterer materials may be placed into at least a portion of the composite body such that any undesirable oxidant approaching, for example, a fiber reinforcement, would be scavenged by (e.g., reacted with) the getterer. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the getterer material(s) form at least one compound (e.g., at least one glassy material) which acts as a crack sealant, thereby further enhancing the oxidation protection of the composite body. One or more ceramic filler materials which serve as reinforcements may have a plurality of superimposed coatings thereon, at least one of which coatings may function as a getterer. The coated materials may be useful as reinforcing materials in ceramic matrix composites to provide improved mechanical properties such as fracture toughness. The present invention also relates to improved composites which incorporate these materials, and to their methods of manufacture.
Abstract:
Silicon carbide single crystals are prepared by (1) reacting silica gel, silicic acid or silicon dioxide with an inorganic base and a multifunctional alcohol or a multifunctional phenol to produce a carbon-containing chemically activated silicon compound, (2) mixing the activated silicon compound with carbon black or graphite and (3) heating the mixture to 1300 DEG to 1700 DEG C under a non-oxidizing atmosphere.
Abstract:
SiC/AlN ceramics are produced by dispersing elemental silicon powder in a ceramic precursor polymer containing Al, N, and C atoms, and heating to cause a reaction between the elemental silicon and the polymer to produce an amorphous char containing carbon-silicon bonds and aluminum-nitrogen bonds. The amorphous char can be further heated to a temperature sufficient to crystallize the char to a SiC-AlN ceramic.