Abstract:
A net shaped ceramic-reinforced aluminum matrix composite is formed by forming a permeable mass of ceramic material with a defined surface boundary having a barrier, and contacting a molten aluminum-magnesium alloy with the permeable mass of ceramic material in the presence of a gas comprising from about 10 to 100% nitrogen, by volume, balance nonoxidizing gas, e.g. hydrogen or argon. Under these conditions, the molten alloy spontaneously infiltrates the ceramic mass under normal atmospheric pressures until it reaches the barrier. A solid body of the alloy can be placed adjacent to a permeable bedding of ceramic material having a barrier, and brought to the molten state, preferably to at least about 700.degree. C., in order to form the net shape aluminum matrix composite by infiltration. In addition to magnesium, auxiliary alloying elements may be employed with aluminum. The resulting composite products may contain a discontinuous aluminum nitride phase in the aluminum matrix.
Abstract:
Self-supporting bodies are produced by reactive infiltration of a parent metal into a boron carbide material 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 filters admixed with the boron carbide material, 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:
A net shaped ceramic-reinforced aluminum matrix composite is formed by forming a permeable mass of ceramic material with a defined surface boundary having a barrier, and contracting a molten aluminum-magnesium alloy with the permeable mass of ceramic material in the presence of a gas comprising from about 10 to 100% nitrogen, by volume, balance nonoxidizing gas, e.g. hydrogen or argon. Under these conditions, the molten alloy spontaneously infiltrates the ceramic mass under normal atmospheric pressures until it reaches the barrier. A solid body of the alloy can be placed adjacent to a permeable bedding of ceramic material having a barrier, and brought to the molten state, preferably to at least about 700.degree. C., in order to form the net shape aluminum matrix composite by infiltration. In addition to magnesium, auxiliary alloying elements may be employed with aluminum. The resulting composite products may contain a discontinuous aluminum nitride phase in the aluminum matrix.
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 composite 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 composite body. The residual or excess metal is used to form a bond between the formed composite body and another body (e.g., a metal body, a ceramic body, or another composite body). In addition, this invention related to alternative methods of disposing metal on at least one surface of the above-described composite bodies (such as sputtering, CVD, etc.) to permit the composite bodies to be bonded to another body.
Abstract:
This invention relates generally to a novel method of preparing self-supporting bodies and to the novel products made thereby. In its more specific aspects, this invention relates to a method of producing self-supporting bodies having controlled porosity and graded properties and comprising one or more boron-containing compounds, e.g., a boride or a boride and a carbide. The method comprises, in one embodiment, reacting a powdered parent metal, in molten form, with a bed or mass comprising a boron carbide material and, optionally, one or more inert fillers, to form the body. In another embodiment, both of a powdered parent metal and a body or pool of molten parent metal are induced to react with a bed or mass comprising a boron carbide material and, optionally, one or more inert fillers. in addition, combustible additives (e.g., gelatin, corn starch, wax, etc.) can be mixed with the bed or mass comprising a boron carbide material to aid in the porisity producing process. When the self-supporting body of the instant invention is formed while in contact with a previously formed ceramic, metal or composite body, a bond can be formed between the two bodies, thus creating a macrocomposite body.
Abstract:
Self-supporting bodies are produced by reactive infiltration of a parent metal into a boron carbide material 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, 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:
The present invention relates to a novel method of manufacturing a composite body, such as a ZrB.sub.2 --ZrC--Z composite body, by utilizing a post-treatment technique. Moreover, the invention relates to novel products made according to the process. The novel process modifies at least a portion of a composite body by exposing said body to a source of second metal.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a novel method of manufacturing a composite body, such as a ZrB.sub.2 -ZrC-Zr composite body, by utilizing a carburization technique. Moreover, the invention relates to novel products made according to the process. The novel process modifies the residual parent metal which remains in a composite body, by exposing said residual metal to a carburizing environment. Thus, by modifying the composition of residual parent metal, the properties of the resultant composite body can also be modified. Parent metals such as zirconium, titanium, and hafnium are well suited to be treated by the carburizing process according to the present invention.
Abstract:
To reduce thermal stress and improve bonding in a high temperature monolithic solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), intermediate layers are provided between the SOFC's electrodes and electrolyte which are of different compositions. The intermediate layers are comprised of a blend of some of the materials used in the electrode and electrolyte compositions. Particle size is controlled to reduce problems involving differential shrinkage rates of the various layers when the entire structure is fired at a single temperature, while pore formers are provided in the electrolyte layers to be removed during firing for the formation of desired pores in the electrode layers. Each layer includes a binder in the form of a thermosetting acrylic which during initial processing is cured to provide a self-supporting structure with the ceramic components in the green state. A self-supporting corrugated structure is thus formed prior to firing, which the organic components of the binder and plasticizer removed during firing to provide a high strength, high temperature resistant ceramic structure of low weight and density.
Abstract:
High temperature fuel cell wet seal strips around the periphery of a separator plate fabricated utilizing powder metallurgy technique. The material composition of said wet seal may be variably graded to afford ease of bonding of said wet seal with the separator plate on one side and provide corrosion inhibition on the other side in communication with an electrolyte. Similar wet seals may be formed from a single metal powder with surface treatment of the surface adjacent the electrolyte to provide resistance to corrosion by the electrolyte.