Abstract:
This invention relates generally to a novel method of manufacturing a composite body, such as a ZrB.sub.2 --ZrC--Zr composite body, by utilizing a post-treatment process and to the novel products made thereby. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of modifying a composite body comprising one or more boron-containing compounds (e.g., a boride or a boride and a carbide) which has been made by the reactive infiltration of a molten parent metal into a bed or mass containing boron carbide, and optionally one or more inert fillers, to form the body.
Abstract:
This invention relates generally to a novel method for joining at least one first self-supporting body, to at least one second self-supporting body which is similar in composition to or different in composition from said at least one first self-supporting body and to novel products which result from such joining. In some of its more specific aspects, this invention relates to different techniques for joining ceramic matrix composite bodies to other ceramic matrix composite bodies of similar characteristics and for joining ceramic matrix composite bodies to bodies which have different characteristics (e.g., metals). The ceramic matrix composite bodies of this invention are produced by a reactive infiltration of a molten parent metal into a bed or mass containing a boron source material and a carbon source material (e.g., boron carbide) and/or a boron source material and a nitrogen source material (e.g., boron nitride) and, optionally, one or more inert fillers.
Abstract:
This invention relates generally to a reaction which occurs on the surface of a substrate body. Particularly, at least one solid oxidant is contacted with at least one parent metal to result in a reaction therebetween and the formation of a reaction product on the surface of a substrate body.
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 TaC, ZrC, ZrB.sub.2, VC, NbC, WC, W.sub.2 B.sub.5 and/or MoO.sub.2 B.sub.5 can be combined with a boron carbide material which is thereafter reactively infiltrated by a parent metal. 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 into the boron carbide mass. Particular emphasis is placed upon modifying the properties of a ZrB.sub.2 -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 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 comprising one or more boron-containing compounds, e.g., a boride or a boride and a carbide, by reacting, in one embodiment, 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.
Abstract:
A net shaped ceramic-reinforced aluminum matrix composite is produced 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 spontaneous 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.