Apparatus and process for casting metal matrix composite materials
US6015528A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 4, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jan 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 4, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/12486
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A composite material mixture of free flowing reinforcement particles in a molten metal is solidified at a cooling rate greater than about 15.degree. C. per second between the liquidus and solidus temperatures of the matrix alloy. This high cooling rate imparts a homogeneous structure to the solid composite material. Care is taken to avoid the introduction of gas bubbles into the molten composite material while the mixture is stirred to prevent segregation of the particles. For viscous melts, an artificial surface layer such as a fiberglass blanket may be used to prevent entrapment of bubbles during pre-casting stirring. Additionally, gas bubbles are removed from the molten mixture by filtering and skimming.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.