Recovering clean metal and particulates from metal matrix composites
US5080715A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 5, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jan 14, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 5, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/20
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process is described for removing all reinforcing particles contained in metal matrix composite scrap materials. This new technique involves providing a treatment vessel for holding a melt of an aluminum matrix composite to be recycled. Heating means are provided for heating the contents of the vessel to a temperature in the range of 700.degree.-750.degree. C. Mixing of the melt is carried out by means of a power driven vaned rotary impeller and this impeller is operated under different conditions for different stages of the process. In the first mixing stage, the impeller is operated under vortex-forming conditions and a fluxing salt is added to the melt while a gas is injected through a gas outlet beneath the surface of the melt and near the rotating impeller. This causes the salt to rapidly mix with the melt and the inlet gas, providing a uniform distribution through the melt of gas bubbles each surrounded by a layer of liquid salt. As a second stage of the treatment process, the impeller is operated at a high differential velocity between the impeller and the melt. These conditions cause collisions between the salt-coated bubbles and wetted reinforcing particles such as to de…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.