Abstract:
An aluminum- and titanium-containing oligomer is prepared by a controlled hydrolysis reaction between a chelated aluminum compound and an organotitanium compound. The oligomer is heated to 800°C in an oxygen-containing atmosphere to produce β-aluminum titanate.
Abstract:
A process for the reaction injection molding of ceramic articles is disclosed. The process comprises (a) injecting into a mold a fluid mixture comprising a ceramic powder, a metal powder or mixtures thereof, and a curable ceramic precursor that is a liquid below the curing temperature, (b) curing the ceramic precursor to produce a hardened molded article, (c) heating the hardened molded article under a suitable atmosphere to a temperature sufficient to convert the ceramic precursor to a ceramic, and (d) sintering the ceramic to the desired density.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to novel process for forming net or near net-shape metal matrix composite bodies. Particularly, a molten matrix metal (13) is in contact with a filler material or a preform (11) in the presence of a reactive atmosphere, at least at some point during the process, which permits molten matrix metal (13) to react, at least partially or substantially completely, with the reactive atmosphere, thereby causing molten matrix metal (13) to infiltrate the filler material or preform (11) due to, at least in part, the creation of a self-generated vacuum. Such self-generated vacuum infiltration occurs without the application of any external pressure or vacuum. The molten matrix metal (13) infiltrates the filler material (11) up to at least a portion of a provided barrier means.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a novel armor material and methods for making the same. Particularly, a metal matrix composite body is formed with a filler material (1) and a matrix metal (3), wherein the filler material (1) is present in an amount of at least about 50 percent by volume.
Abstract:
An aluminum metal matrix composite comprises an aluminum metal matrix embedding a second filler (2), such as a ceramic second filler, and is formed by contacting, for example, a molten aluminum metal (20) with a permeable mass of second filler (22) within a ceramic impervious mold (12) formed by growing a polycrystalline oxidation reaction product into a first filler. By hermetically sealing the second filler (22) within the mold (12) with a body of molten aluminum metal (20), the latter spontaneously infiltrates the mass of second filler (22) at moderate temperatures, e.g. about 900°C, without need of any other infiltration expedients. The molten mass containing the infiltrated ceramic filler is solidified to provide the metal matrix composite which may be recovered from the mold (12). Optionally, the solidification is carried out under bonding conditions including maintaining the solidifying material in direct contact with the ceramic mold, to provide the metal matrix composite joined to the mold, or a part thereof, as a structural component.
Abstract:
This invention relates generally to a novel method of preparing self-supporting bodies, and novel products made thereby. In its more specific aspects, this invention relates to a method for producing self-supporting bodies comprising one or more boron-containing compounds, e.g., a boride or a boride and a carbide, by reactive infiltration of molten parent metal (10) into a preform (20) comprising boron carbide or a boron donor material combined with a carbon donor material and, optionally, one or more inert fillers, to form the body. Specifically, a boron carbide material or combination of a boron donor material and a carbon donor material, and in either case, optionally, one or more inert fillers, are sedimentation cast, slip cast or pressed onto or into a body and into a particular desired shape.
Abstract:
A method is provided for producing a self-supporting ceramic composite body having a plurality of spaced apart wall members, each wall member having a bounded cross-section for defining substantially continuous, fluid passageways. The wall members generally inversely replicate in opposed directios the geometry of a positive pattern. Each of the wall members, which are axially aligned, comprises a ceramic matrix having a filler embedded therein, and is obtained by the oxidation reaction of a parent metal to form a polycrystalline material which consists essentially of the oxidation reaction product of the parent metal with an oxidant and, optionally, one or more metals, e.g. nonoxidized constituents of the parent metal.
Abstract:
This invention relates generally to a novel method of manufacturing a composite body and to novel products made thereby. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of producing a self-supporting body comprising one or more boron-containing compounds, e.g., a boride or a boride and carbide, by reactive infiltration of molten parent metal into a bed or mass containing boron carbide, and, optionally, one or more inert fillers and permitting residual or excess parent metal, to remain bonded to the formed self-supporting body. Excess metal is used to form a bond between the reactively infiltrated body and another body (e.g., a metal or a ceramic body).