Abstract:
An assembly for the preparation of ceramic composite structures includes a segmented container (12) within which a permeable filler is retained and a parent metal body (20) is contacted with the bed (18) of permeable filler. The segmented container (12) is comprised of one or more segments made of a material, such as an Inconel alloy, which has a coefficient of thermal expansion which is significantly greater than that of the filler. The segments are arranged to define between or among them one or more expansion joints which are effective to accommodate circumferential thermal expansion of the segments to thereby inhibit or prevent volumetric expansion of the container (12). A method of forming ceramic composite structures includes heating the resulting assembly to melt and oxidize the parent metal, (20), e.g., aluminum, to form a polycrystalline material comprising an oxidation reaction product which grows through the mass of filler to embed it and thus form the composite structure.
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 assembly for the preparation of ceramic composite structures includes a segmented container (12) within which a permeable filler is retained and a parent metal body (20) is contacted with the bed (18) of permeable filler. The segmented container (12) is comprised of one or more segments made of a material, such as an Inconel alloy, which has a coefficient of thermal expansion which is significantly greater than that of the filler. The segments are arranged to define between or among them one or more expansion joints which are effective to accommodate circumferential thermal expansion of the segments to thereby inhibit or prevent volumetric expansion of the container (12). A method of forming ceramic composite structures includes heating the resulting assembly to melt and oxidize the parent metal, (20), e.g., aluminum, to form a polycrystalline material comprising an oxidation reaction product which grows through the mass of filler to embed it and thus form the composite structure.
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.