Abstract:
The present invention relates to compositions, methods and apparatus for preparing composite materials. A method of fabricating a fibrous monolith composite includes extruding a first material laden composition into a filament, passing the filament through a coextrusion assembly, coating the filament with a second material laden composition as the filament passes through the coextrusion assembly and arranging the coated filament into a desired architecture to form a fibrous monolith composite. A coextrusion assembly (19) includes an extrusion head (21), a tapered nozzle (22), a spinnerette (26), a spinnerette housing (25), a guide rod support (24) and a guide rod (23).
Abstract:
Fibrous monolith composites (10) having architectures that provide increased flaw insensitivity, improved hardness, wear resistance and damage tolerance and methods of manufacture thereof are provided for use in dynamic environments to mitigate impact damage and increase wear resistance.
Abstract:
Fibrous monolith processing techniques to fabricate multi-functional structures (10) capable of performing more than one discrete function such as structures capable of bearing structural loads and mechanical stresses in service and also capable of performing at least one additional non-structural function.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to multilayered ceramic components (10) and methods of fabricating such multilayered architectures. More particularly, the present invention relates to multilayered components having a plurality of dielectric (12) and electrode material (14, 15) layers. The multilayered components are manufactured by coextrusion processes.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the fabrication of low cost, in situ, porous metallic, ceramic and cermet foam structures having improved mechanical properties such as energy absorption and specific stiffness. Methods of fabricating the structures from compositions including ceramic and/or metallic powders are provided. The flowable compositions also include an immiscible phase that results in pores within the final structure. Furthermore, the structures may be shaped to have external porosity, such as with mesh-like structures.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the fabrication of low cost, in situ, porous metallic, ceramic and cermet foam structures having improved mechanical properties such as energy absorption and specific stiffness. Methods of fabricating the structures from compositions including ceramic and/or metallic powders are provided. The flowable compositions also include an immiscible phase that results in pores within the final structure. Furthermore, the structures may be shaped to have external porosity, such as with mesh-like structures.
Abstract:
Method for producing fibrous monolith composites includes the steps of: creating first and second uniformly suspended compositions; warm pressing the compositions to create a feed rod (20); and extruding (24) the feed rod through a deposition nozzle onto a mechanically-controlled surface (26). The compositions further contain thermoplastic polymer binder and thermoplastic plasticizer.
Abstract:
A process for producing a fibrous monolithic component includes the steps of: combining ceramic powder with a thermoplastic polymer binder and a thermoplastic plasticizer to create a mixture; warm pressing the mixture into a composite feed rod; extruding the feed rod to produce a fibrous monolith preform; removing the binder from the preform; and densifying the preform. Consolidation and densification may take place in an inert atmosphere at a pressure of 1-30 psi. The feed rod may also be compressed prior to forming.