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 parent metal (10) into a boron carbide material (12) which may contain one or both of a boron donor material and a carbon donor material. The reactive infiltration typically results in a composite comprising a boron-containing compound, a carbon-containing compound and residual metal, if desired. The mass to be infiltrated may contain one or more inert fillers admixed with the boron carbide material (12), boron-containing compound and/or carbon-containing compound. The relative amounts of reactants and process conditions may be altered or controlled to yield a body containing varying volume percents of ceramic, metal, ratios of one ceramic to another and porosity.
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.