Composite fabrication process to achieve flatness

USH1863H · kind H · statutory invention registration

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Paul A. Siemers · Clifton Park, US
• Rita Janelle Thurston · Arlington Heights, US
• Joseph Jay Jackson · Topsfield, US

Key dates

• Grant date: Oct 3, 2000

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

Abstract

A method and a HIP can structure for hot isostatically pressed (HIP) production of flat sheet metal matrix composites having a dimension greater than about 4.times.5 inches. The HIP can is constructed so that most of the expensive components are reusable for further processing of other composites. The side walls of the HIP can have reduced thickness relative to the top and bottom walls and the can has a reinforced centerpiece between the two composites used in the example. Molybdenum foils are utilized to separate the composites from the stiffening structure so that when the HIP can is opened by breaking the weld at one of its wings, the components of the can and the composites come apart so that the most expensive structural members of the HIP can be reused.