Abstract: A process for forming pressure cast alumina tile reinforced aluminum alloy rmor in which a silver coated aluminum disc is first inserted into a mold assembly, the mold assembly includes a base plate, a hollow steel die with a removable steel liner located on the base plate, a plug disposed on the base plate within the die cavity, and a punch movably disposed within the die cavity, the aluminum disc being inserted within the die cavity over the plug. Next, an alumina tile preform is prepared by cutting a plurality of alumina tiles and weaving the tiles together with a stiff steel wire. The alumina tile preform is inserted over the silver coated aluminum disc in the cavity of mold assembly. The steel die, the plug and the disc are heated. The punch is also heated separately. A melt of molten aluminum is prepared and poured into the die cavity, completely covering the alumina tile preform. The heated punch is immediately driven into the cavity to apply pressure to the molten aluminum.

Abstract: The invention relates to subjecting boron carbide to a heat treatment at a temperature within a range of 1250.degree. C. to less than 1800.degree. C. prior to infiltration with a molten metal such as aluminum. This method allows control of kinetics of metal infiltration and chemical reactions, size of reaction products and connectivity of B.sub.4 C grains and results in cermets having desired mechanical properties.

Abstract: A two-step two-piece high-pressure casting process for the fabrication of a scroll member containing a generally circular end plate, a scroll hub on one side of the end plate and an involute wrap on the other side thereof. The involute wrap is pre-fabricated from a wear-resistant alloy or aluminum alloy based composite having low liquidus temperature which is placed inside the involute groove of a scroll mold. The scroll mold contains a mobile scroll mold and a stationary scroll mold. The mobile scroll mold contains a first cavity having the shape of the scroll hub; whereas the stationary scroll mold contains a second cavity having the shape of the circular end plate and an involute groove disposed below the second cavity.

Abstract: The invention produces a light metal alloy composite having a nickel coated graphite or carbon with a nickel-containing intermetallic phase within a portion of a casting. A mold is provided to cast a light metal into a predetermined shape. A nickel coated carbon phase structure is placed into a portion of the mold. The light metal is cast into the mold around the carbon structure to wet an interface between the light metal and the nickel coated carbon structure. A nickel-containing intermetallic phase is formed in the light metal proximate the nickel coated carbon to provide increased wear resistance. The light metal is then solidified to form the metal matrix composite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for forming metal matrix composite bodies. Particularly, a permeable mass of filler material is formed into a preform. An infiltration enhancer or an infiltration enhancer precursor or an infiltrating atmosphere are also in communication with the preform, at least at some point during the process, which permits molten matrix metal to spontaneously infiltrate the preform when the preform is placed into the molten matrix metal. A means for maintaining the preform at least partially below the surface of the molten matrix metal can also be utilized. In a preferred embodiment a reservoir may be employed to supply a second metal which has a different composition from the first source of matrix metal.

Abstract: A method for preparing an engine block casting having integral cylinder bore liners (10). A barrel slab core (14) includes barrel cores (18). Bore liners (10) surround the barrel cores (18) and are fixed in relation to the barrel slab core (14). A cylinder block mold core package (22) is assembled from the barrel slab core (14), and other cores (24, 26, 28). The liners (10) are heated while they are within the cylinder block mold core package (22) by induction heating. Access holes (30) are defined within the barrel slab core (14), each access hole (30) communicating with the interior of one barrel core (18). A heater (32) is inserted through each access hole (30). Thermal energy is thus transferred across the barrel core (18) to the cylinder bore liner (10) to assure optimum integrity of bonding between a solidified cylinder block casting and the cylinder bore liners (10). The heaters (32) are then retracted before adding the molten metal.

Abstract: A fiber-organic composition includes from about 5% to 50% by volume of uniformly dispersed, non-planar or three dimensionally random oriented inorganic fibers or whiskers, and a thermoplastic material such as paraffin wax. The composition also includes surfactants to promote wetting and dispersion of the inorganic fibers or whiskers. These materials are subjected to high shear mixing to form a uniform randomly oriented three-dimensional dispersion of the inorganic fibers or whiskers. After molding the mixture in such a manner so as not to disrupt the uniform, three-dimensional orientation of the fibers or whiskers, a majority of the thermoplastic material is removed leaving a shaped body or preform having sufficient strength for handling. The shaped body or preform can then be infiltrated with molten metal or the like to form a metal matrix composite.

Abstract: Processes for coating a ferrous or aluminum article, such as an engine cylinder liner insert, to provide a metallurgical bond with aluminum alloy material cast around the article. The article surface to be bonded is treated to remove impurities, oxides, and foreign materials, and the article is preheated. A molten metallic bonding material, such as zinc or a zinc alloy, is provided and the treated and preheated article is immersed in the bonding material to provide a metallurgically bonded coating on the surface of the article being treated. The coated article, either shortly after coating or, alternatively, after having been cooled to ambient temperature and stored, can then be placed in a mold and molten aluminum alloy poured around it to metallurgically bond the aluminum to the coating on the article. The resulting structure provides a metallurgical bond that has improved heat transfer characteristics and improved structural integrity.

Abstract: A method for pressure infiltration casting is provided wherein steps of preheating and evacuating a mold cavity and infiltrant charge are carried out in a separate vessel from a pressure vessel wherein the mold cavity is filled using a vent tube, allowing for rapid finished article throughput.

Abstract: A method of making a composite material consists of entraining finely divided solid additive particles in a stream of ionized inert gas and ionizing the inert gas and utilizing heat generated by the ionized gas to heat the solid particles to a high temperature which is less than the temperature in at which the solid particles become non-solid due to melting sublimination or dissociation. Then, injecting the stream of gas and entrained heated solid particles into a molten metal mass to provide a mixture of finely divided solid particles and molten metal and thereafter causing physical agitation of the mixture of molten metal and solid particles to establish a substantially uniform distribution of solid particles in the molten metal. Such physical agitation of molten metal is continued until the mixture of finely divided particles and metals is completely solidified.

Abstract: Infiltrate a porous, self-reinforced .beta.-Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 preform with a metal or a crystallizable glass to yield a composite material. The preform possesses a low glass phase and has a density of from about 50 to about 70 percent of theoretical density. Prepare the .beta.-Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 preform by subjecting a porous body formed from an .alpha.-Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 powder composition to two sequential heat treatments. The first heat treatment occurs below the .alpha.- to .beta.- conversion temperature and results in a strengthened body that can be machined. The second heat treatment occurs above that temperature and yields the self-reinforced .beta.-Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 preform. Conventional infiltration procedures with an infiltrant that is a metal or a glass results in a Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 /metal or Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 /glass composite material that has 50 to 70 percent of its volume occupied by .beta.-Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 whiskers.

Abstract: A method of casting metal matrix composites wherein there is a wide disparity in the respective densities of the metal matrix and the reinforcing particles. The particles are added to a melt of molten metal and the mixture is stirred using an impeller rotating at a high speed so as to ensure an even distribution of the less dense reinforcing particles throughout the denser metal matrix.

Abstract: A method for producing a reinforced composite material. A molten matrix metal is heated to a temperature substantially greater than the melting point of the matrix metal. The matrix metal is poured into a mold containing a mass of reinforcing material, and an oxide layer formed from said molten matrix metal is ruptured so that the molten matrix metal infiltrates the mass of reinforcing material.

Abstract: A method of forming a ceramic-metal composite including steps of providing a body of ceramic material; infiltrating molten metal into open spaces of the body at an elevated pressure; cooling the metal to form a solid composite; and reacting a portion of the metal in the composite at an elevated temperature with an oxidizing gas. A particularly preferred composite is made by infiltrating an alumina body with an aluminum alloy and then oxidizing in air at an elevated temperature. The composite is useful for making armor plate and other products where a combination of high hardness, good strength, and light weight are needed.

Abstract: A process for the repair of single-crystal drive blades, such as turbine blades, in which a sound portion of the blade is inserted into an open bottom of a casting mold in communication with a casting cavity in the mold adopted to the shape of the blade. The molten metal is then cast into the mold to unite with the sound portion and an epitaxial single-crystal solidification of the melt is produced on the sound portion to form the entire blade. A part of the sound portion has an outer surface layer thereof removed to expose a core region which is constituted of substantially pure single crystal material prior to casting. The sound part is secured in a holder which is coupled to the casting mold for only a matter of seconds before the molten metal is cast into the mold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes to produce ceramic reinforced and ceramic-metal matrix composite articles. More specifically, the invention concerns the use of pressure filtration to infiltrate a reinforcing organic or inorganic network with ceramic particles. Centrifugation is also used to separate the liquid form the slurry. After heating the reinforced ceramic article is produced. Pressure filtration is also used to infiltrate an organic polymer or organic fiber network with ceramic particles. The solvent is removed carefully followed by intermediate heating to remove the organic network without deforming the preform shape. After densification, the preform is heated and contacted with molten metal (optionally) with pressure to infiltrate the open channel network. Upon cooling the ceramic metal matrix composite is obtained. The reinforced matrix articles are useful in high temperature and high stress applications, e.g.

Abstract: A method of bonding a component in a piston, involves the steps of coating the component surfaces to be bonded with an oxidation-resistant particulate material, preheating the coated component, placing the preheated component in a casting die and then casting an aluminum alloy around the component. The casting technique may comprise squeeze-casting.

Abstract: A composite article having a first and a second metal component, and a resultant composite metal article, wherein a flux coating is applied over at least a substantially oxide-free bond surface of the first component, the first component with the flux coating is preheated and, with the first component positioned in a mold to fill a portion of a cavity of the mold, a melt for providing the second component is poured into the mold so as to flow over the bond surface; the first component being preheated to a first temperature and the melt being poured at a second temperature such that, on flowing over the bond surface, the melt displaces the flux coating and wets the bond surface, and that such initial temperature equilibration between the surface and the melt results in an interface temperature therebetween at least equal to the liquidus temperature of the melt, thereby resulting on solidification of the melt in attainment of a bond between the components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal-ceramic composite for use in a high temperature and abrasion-resisting member such as a supporting member of a heating furnace having a construction, in which ceramic particles having superior abrasion resistance and heat resistance are dispersed in a metallic matrix having superior toughness or ceramic blocks are buried in a metallic surface, whereby the characteristics of a ceramic and a metal are simultaneously utilized. A metal-ceramic composite superior in physical characteristic, such as abrasion resistance and heat resistance, and a method of producing the same are provided.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a reinforced composite material. A molten matrix metal is heated to a temperature substantially greater than the melting point of the matrix metal. The matrix metal is poured into a mold containing a mass of reinforcing material. The matrix metal is solidified.

Abstract: Method of dimensionally stabilizing the interface between metal parts of differing thermal expansion characteristics (TEC), regardless of temperature variations under normal designed use of such parts, comprising: (a) hot extruding a mixture of ceramic fibers (i.e., Si.sub.3 N.sub.4, SiC, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) and a powder of the metal having the higher TEC (i.e., Al, Ti, Mg) while aligning the fibers generally along the direction of extrusion, to form an insert; (b) shaping the insert to align its fibers generally in at least one direction of anticipated thermal growth that may interfere with the interface; (c) casting the insert in place within a first part compound of the higher TEC metal and with the insert's fibers (i) oriented as above, and (ii) preheated to a temperature no greater than 35-45% of the temperature of the molten light metal; and (d) bringing together the first metal part with a second part of lower TEC metal (i.e., Fe or steel) to form the interface.

Abstract: Method of making a cast reinforced article, such as a connecting rod which includes preparing a bundle of uni-directional inorganic fibers, at least some of which are metallic or metal coated by placing the bundle into a shaping container and heating it to partially fuse the metallic or metal coated fibers to each other. The partially fused bundle is positioned in a mold with a fixed minimum gap surrounding it. A molten light metal alloy is squeeze cast into the mold forming a matrix of the alloy and the bundle. In the case of a connecting rod, the bundle should be shaped elliptically and positioned in the mold such that (I(c) y<I(c) x).

Abstract: A method for forming a fiber-reinforced metal sheet including the steps of preparing a wire preform in which fibers and a matrix are combined together; arranging regularly a plurality of wire preforms in a predetermined direction in a side-by-side relation; irradiating simultaneously using a CO.sub.2 laser beam, and a YAG laser beam the regularly arranged wire preforms to elevate the temperature of the wire preforms; and pressing the wire preforms by rollers while the wire preforms are at the elevated temperature.

Abstract: A composite gas turbine blade consists of an airfoil (1) in an oxide-dispersion-hardened nickel-based superalloy, in the condition of longitudinally directed coarse columnar crystals, and a shroud plate (6) or a shroud and a root (7), the latter items in a non-dispersion-hardened nickel-based superalloy (cast alloy). The gas turbine blade is manufactured by casting in and casting round, using the non-dispersion-hardened superalloy mentioned, the tip end (2) and root end (3)--provided with depressions (4) and/or protrusions (5)--of the airfoil (1), after preheating the latter to a temperature of between 50.degree. and 300.degree. C. below the solidus temperature of the lowest melting phase of the airfoil material. The casting temperature for this should be a maximum of 100.degree. C. above the liquidus temperature of the highest melting phase of this non-dispersion-hardened alloy. Any melting onto the airfoil (1) and any metallurgical connection is to be avoided.

Abstract: A meat cutting pulley wheel is formed with an aluminum body and a cast iron ring bonded to the body rim. The method of manufacture includes machining the ring, preheating the ring and mold, inserting the ring into the mold, pouring molten aluminum into the mold, cooling in the mold and final machining of the ring.

Abstract: A process for casting a cylinder block blank made of light alloy provided with a cylinder barrel reinforced around its cylinder bore with a reinforcing tubular body and a crankcase provided continuous to the cylinder bore, which includes placing the reinforcing tubular body in a first cavity formed for shaping a cylinder barrel at the lower portion of a mold which is formed at its upper portion with a second cavity for shaping a crankcase communicating with the first cavity, and pouring a light alloy molten metal from the lower portion of the first cavity into the first and second cavities while simultaneously venting gas from the first and second cavities.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable soldering device comprises a heat-recoverable member having a fusible solder insert and associated with the solder insert, a solder flux composition which undergoes a visible color change at a critical temperature. Solderable substrates are positioned within the device and heated until a critical temperature has been reached as indicated by a color change in the flux. The critical temperature depends on the material of the particular heat-recoverable member and the solder used. It is that temperature which is required to effect a solder joint between the substrates and recovery of the heat-recoverable member. Novel flux compositions and their use in soldering are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process of forming a high alloy layer on a surface of an aluminum alloy casting. The process comprises steps of providing a mixture of fine powders having an average powder size finer than 10 microns, preferably finer than 1.0 micron, of an alloying metal or an alloying alloy and an acrylic binder, shaping the mixture into a sheet, heat treating the sheet at 150.degree. to 380.degree. C. for more than 5 minutes, placing the heat treated sheet on a surface of a casting mould or a chilling block, and casting molten aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite article having a first and a second metal components, and a resultant composite metal article, wherein a flux coating is applied over at least a substantially oxide-free bond surface of the first component, the first component with said flux coating is preheated and, with said first component positioned in a mould to fill a portion of a cavity of the mould, a melt for providing the second component is poured into the mould so as to flow over said bond surface; the first component being preheated to a first temperature and the melt being poured at a second temperature such that, on flowing over the bond surface, the melt displaces said flux coating and wets said bond surface, and that such initial temperature equilibration between said surface and the melt results in an interface temperature therebetween at least equal to the liquidus temperature of the melt, thereby resulting on solidification of the melt in attainment of a bond between the components.

Abstract: The carbon anodes of aluminum reduction cells are suspended on anode rods. The lower part of these rods viz., the anode pins or stubs can be anchored in the carbon anode by pouring cast iron into suitably shaped anode pin or stub holes which are at least partially undercut at the sides.A horizontal layer of cast iron at least some millimeters thick is formed between the floor of the pin or stub holes and the lower face of the anode pins or stubs.The cast iron poured into the spaces around the anode pins or stubs heats these to over 400.degree. C. The mass of the cast iron poured in is smaller than the mass of the lower part of the anode pin or stub to be enclosed.

Abstract: A cast steel stave cooler comprising a carbon steel cooling pipe having a roughened surface and having a coating thereon, and a cast steel embedding the cooling pipe therein. The cast steel contains 10 to 25% Cr and has a very reduced liquid-solid zone so as to prevent fusion of the cooling pipe during the casting. The cooling pipe is provided with fins which are integratedly welded to the cast steel.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in the process of mold welding two metal parts together having respective base sections, which includes enclosing the end sections of said metal parts in aligned end-to-end relation in a mold having an entrance gate, flowing molten metal through said entrance gate into said mold, and out of said mold at rates so related as to cause some of the metal admitted into the mold to be discharged from said mold while the rest of the molten metal accumulates as a metal bath to cause the molten metal during the early stage of its admission into the mold to preheat the metal parts, and conducting some of the said molten metal during said early stage from the entrance gate through a recess and directly onto said base sections in direct impingement with said base sections to promote better heat transfer between said molten metal and said metal parts, the improvement comprising discharging molten metal through at least two separate exit gates into separate discharge chambers located

Abstract: A method of casting metal straps on lugs of battery cell elements utilizes an electrically heatable mold having a strap cavity section and comprises introducing strap metal into the cavity section, conducting electrical current through the mold for heating the mold to a predetermined temperature in excess of the melting temperature of the strap metal, immersing the element lugs into the cavity, cooling the mold to a temperature below the solidification temperature of the strap metal and removing the element lugs from the cavity with straps cast thereon.

Abstract: A composite material is manufactured from a formed mass of reinforcing material and matrix metal by introducing the reinforcing material mass into a pressure chamber and holding it there, introducing molten matrix metal into the pressure chamber so as to surround the reinforcing material mass, moving the reinforcing material mass from the pressure chamber into a casting chamber of substantially smaller volume than the pressure chamber while it is still being surrounded by molten matrix metal, and then allowing the molten matrix metal to solidify while applying pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for casting straps onto the plate lugs of battery cell elements. The apparatus includes a rotatably indexable table having a plurality of mold and element carrying stations which each are successively indexed through a plurality of operating stations, including an element loading station, an element lug alignment station, a molten-metal pouring station, a lug fluxing station, a casting station, a plurality of mold cooling stations, and an element unloading station. The mold of each table station is adapted for efficient and precisely controlled electrical resistance heating and forced-air cooling during each cycle of operation. In the illustrated embodiment, each table-station mold is successively heated from electrical sources at a plurality of operating stations upon indexing of the respective table station to such operating stations and is cooled by directing air through air-direction tubes mounted on each table station in close proximity to the respective mold.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite material from porous reinforcing material and molten matrix metal. First the porous reinforcing material is heated up to a temperature substantially above melting point of the matrix metal. Then the molten matrix metal is infiltrated into the porous structure of the reinforcing material under a substantial pressure. Then the combination of the reinforcing material and the matrix metal infiltrated thereinto is cooled down to a temperature below the melting point of the matrix metal, while maintaining the abovementioned substantial pressure. Optionally, the reinforcing material may be charged into a case; and, again optionally, the case may have one opening only, and a vacant space may be left between another part of the case and the reinforcing material charged in the case, with the reinforcing material interrupting communication between the opening and the vacant space. The case can be made of stainless steel, or of a refractory material such as porous brick.

Abstract: A composite metallic and refractory article and a method for manufacturing the article is described in which a metallic layer is partially adsorbed within a refractory layer, such as a ceramic layer. The density of the refractory layer increases as it extends away from the metallic layer. The composite is formed by forcing a molten metal under pressure into the pore structure of the refractory layer. Conveniently, a desired internal shape of the finished product is achieved by using a male mold portion to supply the required pressure and to simultaneously form the article having a desired internal cavity. The application of pressure continues long enough to allow the molten metal to become sufficiently adsorbed within the porous refractory layer. When the composite solidifies, the male mold portion is withdrawn from the finished article. In one embodiment the article formed is a piston having a heat resistant ceramic cap combined with an aluminum body.

Abstract: Apparatus for and method of die casting a part with a particulate inert filler material (e.g., sand) substantially uniformly dispersed through the casting thereby to decrease the amount of metal required to die cast the part.

Abstract: A method for joining a member to a diecast article using an apparatus comprising dies, an injection sleeve communicating with a cavity of the dies and a plunger tip slidably arranged in the injection sleeve for filling the cavity of the dies with the molten metal previously poured in the injection sleeve. According to the invention, the plunger tip is formed with an insert aperture for receiving the member to be joined such that a portion of the member extending beyond an upper surface of the plunger tip is exposed in the molten metal when it is poured in the injection sleeve, thereby sufficiently transmitting the heat of the molten metal to the portion of the member to obtain a metallurgical bond at a boundary between the member and the diecast article.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a lighter composite master brake cylinder is disclosed along with the resulting product. A seamless steel tube of critical thickness, closed at one end, and treated by acid etching on its exterior, is oriented vertically within a mold cavity. The tube is pretreated to contain critically dimensioned punched and coined openings for brake fluid filling and fluid delivery. Openings in the cast body are defined by pin cores aligned with the tube openings and are dimensioned to separate the edge of the tube openings from the cast opening. The tube is supported by a plug extending snuggly into the interior of said tube, said plug being joined at one end to the die walls; the cores are also supported by suitable attachment to the die walls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a conduit intended for communication with a plurality of working-medium sources, which conduit includes at least two connecting elements spaced apart along the length of the conduit and secured thereto. Each connecting element has a through passage communicating with the passage of the conduit and intended for connection with a source of a working-medium. The axis of the through passage is perpendicular to a plane passing through the conduit axis. To make such a conduit, a continuous-surface conduit is fed under pressure to a die-casting machine and is placed in its casting die.

Abstract: A method of cladding copper or copper alloys to a steel substrate by an aluminothermic reduction reaction utilizing an exothermic reaction material which is principally a mixture of calcium-silicon alloy, aluminum, cupric oxide and a metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming a part including a bore with a bearing integrally cast thereto, the thus formed part and apparatus for thus forming the part. The process includes hot machining a bore into a billet in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and introducing molten bearing material, e.g., molten bronze about a mandrel positioned in the bore while maintaining the billet, the mandrel and the bearing material in the non-oxidizing atmosphere. The mandrel is drawn from the bore while the bearing material is cooled by cooling and solidifying means therein adjacent an end of the mandrel which is last to exit the bore. The cooling is sufficient to progressively solidify the material as the mandrel is drawn through it and out of the bore.

Abstract: A method for producing a heat-insulating casting characterized by placing a flexible ceramic semifinished product having a smooth surface, a modulus of elasticity of 200-5000 Kg/mm.sup.2, a bending strength of 8-200 Kg/cm.sup.2, and a wall-thickness less than 1/4 of the inside diameter, inside a casting mold, and casting molten metal so as to enclose the ceramic semifinished product.