Patent · US Expired

Directional solidification of metal matrix composites

US5303763A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
39References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 23, 1992
Grant dateApr 19, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 23, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC04B2111/00931
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A metal matrix composite is formed by contacting a molten matrix metal with a permeable mass of filler material or preform in the presence of an infiltrating atmosphere. Under these conditions, the molten matrix metal will spontaneously infiltrate the permeable mass of filler material or preform under normal atmospheric pressures. Once a desired amount of spontaneous infiltration has been achieved, or during the spontaneous infiltration step, the matrix metal which has infiltrated the permeable mass of filler material or preform is directionally solidified. The directionally solidified metal matrix composite may be heated to a temperature in excess of the liquidus temperature of the matrix metal and quenched. This technique allows the production of spontaneously infiltrated metal matrix composites having improved microstructures and properties.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.