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:
This invention relates generally to a novel method of manufacturing a composite body. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for modifying the resultant properties of a composite body, by, for example, minimizing the amount of porosity present in the composite body. Additives such as TaG, ZrC, ZrB₂, VC, NbC, WC, W₂B₅ and/or MoO₂B₅ can be combined with a boron carbide material (2) which is thereafter reactively infiltrated by a parent metal (3). The composite body comprises one or more boron-containing compounds (e.g., a boride or a boride and a carbide) which is made by the reactive infiltration of molten parent metal (3) into the boron carbide mass (2). Particular emphasis is placed upon modifying the properties of a ZrB₂-ZrC-Zr composite body. However, the methods disclosed in the application are believed to be generic to a number of parent metals and preform materials.
Abstract:
This invention relates generally to a novel method of manufacturing a composite body. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for modifying the resultant properties of a composite body, by, for example, minimizing the amount of porosity present in the composite body. Additives such as TaG, ZrC, ZrB₂, VC, NbC, WC, W₂B₅ and/or MoO₂B₅ can be combined with a boron carbide material (2) which is thereafter reactively infiltrated by a parent metal (3). The composite body comprises one or more boron-containing compounds (e.g., a boride or a boride and a carbide) which is made by the reactive infiltration of molten parent metal (3) into the boron carbide mass (2). Particular emphasis is placed upon modifying the properties of a ZrB₂-ZrC-Zr composite body. However, the methods disclosed in the application are believed to be generic to a number of parent metals and preform materials.
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.