System and method for surface hardening of refractory metals
US9580790B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 20, 2007 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 18, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/12771
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process of converting an outer layer of an object made of a refractory metal, such as titanium, into a carbide of the refractory metal. A molten metal, such as molten lithium, is placed adjacent the outer surface of the object. The lithium does not react with the titanium, nor is it soluble within the titanium to any significant extent at the temperatures involved. The molten lithium contains elemental carbon, that is, free carbon atoms. At high temperature, the carbon diffuses into the titanium, and reacts with titanium atoms to form titanium carbide in an outer layer. Significantly, no other atoms are present, such as hydrogen or oxygen, which can cause problems, because they are blocked by the molten lithium.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.