Gel cast molding with fugitive molds

US5824250A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• AlliedSignal, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Philip J. Whalen · Sparta, US
• Vikram R. Jamalabad · Somerville, US
• John Patrick Pollinger · Redondo Beach, US
• Mukesh Agarwala · Highland Park, US
• Stephen C. Danforth · Montgomery, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 28, 1996
• Grant date: Oct 20, 1998
• Expiry date: Jun 28, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B33Y80/00
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A ceramic component is manufactured rapidly using a mold made directly from a solid freeform manufacturing process. Solid freeform fabrication, or rapid prototyping, procedures are used to generate molds of materials that are soluble or otherwise fugitive. A gel casting suspension containing ceramic and emulsifying agents is poured into the cavity of the mold and caused to set. The mold is then removed by dissolution or heat treatment, leaving intact the gelcast part. Conventional procedures are then utilized to densify the gelcast component to the required final component. Time consuming and expensive machine tooling procedures are virtually eliminated. Ceramic components are generated rapidly in a cost effective manner.