Method and apparatus for the determination of gas concentration in molten metal and metal matrix composites
US5031444A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jul 16, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/2025
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention provides a new method for the determination of the concentration of gas dissolved in a molten metal or metal matrix composite employing a new immersion head probe in apparatus employing the method. Such determinations are needed to facilitate removal of the gas, which can cause loss of desirable properties and/or bubbles in the solidified material and subsequent processing difficulties. This determination is particularly difficult with metals containing high concentrations of particulate additions, such as metal matrix composites, since it is necessary to avoid deposition of the particulates and consequent inaccurate readings. The method employs apparatus which circulates an inert carrier gas through the probe in gas exchange contact with the molten metal to entrain dissolved gas until an equilibrium mixture is obtained; the concentration of the dissolved gas in the mixture then is representative of its concentration in the molten metal. The head consists of a monolithic or integral body of a porous gas-permeable material of sufficient porosity, pore size and permeability to permit the necessary gas diffusion in a reasonable period of time. If the test is to be carrie…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.