Abstract: A method including the steps of exposing a substrate to focused laser irradiation at a preselected series of locations that trace a subset of the substrate volume that is connected to the surface of the substrate, removing the substrate material from the exposed preselected series of locations to create within the substrate at least one cavity that is connected to the surface of the substrate, immersing the cavity-containing substrate in an appropriate atmosphere such as a selected gas or vacuum and, within this atmosphere, contacting the substrate surface with the molten castable material surface at locations where the cavity or cavities emerges from the substrate, applying pressure to the castable material to cause it to infiltrate the substrate cavities, and solidifying the castable material within the cavities.

Abstract: The method comprises at least the following steps: —exposing a substrate to focused laser irradiation at a preselected series of locations that trace a subset of the substrate volume that is connected to the surface of the substrate; some subsets of substrate volume not connected to the surface of the substrate may also be exposed at the same time for other purposes, for instance, so that they can be used as waveguides or other optical elements or for another subsequent etching step; —removing the substrate material from the exposed preselected series of locations to create within the substrate at least one cavity that is connected to the surface of the substrate; —immersing the cavity-containing substrate in an appropriate atmosphere such as a selected gas or vacuum and, within this atmosphere, —contacting the substrate surface with the molten castable material surface at locations where the cavity or cavities emerges from the substrate; —applying pressure to the castable material to cause it to infiltrate t

Abstract: A composite material combining—a precious metal or an alloy containing a precious metal—and a boron-based ceramic having a melting point greater than that of said precious metal and a density at most equal to 4 g/cm3.

Abstract: A composite material combining—a precious metal or an alloy containing a precious metal—and a boron-based ceramic having a melting point greater than that of said precious metal and a density at most equal to 4 g/cm3.

Abstract: A composite material combining—a precious metal or an alloy containing a precious metal—and a boron-based ceramic having a melting point greater than that of said precious metal and a density at most equal to 4 g/cm3.

Abstract: A composite material combining—a precious metal or an alloy containing a precious metal—and a boron-based ceramic having a melting point greater than that of said precious metal and a density at most equal to 4 g/cm3.

Abstract: A metal article containing at least 10% interconnected porosity is produced by using a preform. To make the preform, an organic binder, a wetting agent and a granular material are mixed to obtain a mouldable paste that combines 10 vol. pct. or more of the granular material, this material dissolving easily in a liquid solvent. The paste is shaped into an aerated preform, thus creating an open pore space to be infiltrated by the metal or alloy. The wetting agent is evaporated and the preform is baked to a temperature sufficient to degrade the binder and create a network of interconnected open porosity in the preform. Then, the open pore space is filled with the liquid metal or alloy. All or part of the baked preform can be easily leached by a liquid solvent through the network of fine pores.

Abstract: Alloy containing between 1% and 20% by weight of Ni, between 1% and 20% by weight of Sn, between 0.5%, 3% by weight of Pb in Cu which represents at least 50% by weight of the alloy; characterized in that the alloy further contains between 0.01% and 5% by weight of P or B alone or in combination. The invention also pertains to a metallic product having enhanced mechanical resistance at intermediate temperatures (300° C. to 700° C.) and excellent machinability. The metallic product of the invention can be advantageously used for the fabrication of connectors, electromechanical, or micromechanical pieces.

Abstract: A method of making an earth-boring rotary drill bit comprising a bit body configured to carry a cutter for an earth formation includes providing a plurality of hard particles in a mold to define a particle precursor of the bit body; wherein the particle precursor is configured for infiltration by a molten matrix material, the resulting particle-matrix composite material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The method also includes disposing an insert within the particle precursor, the insert having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than the first coefficient of thermal expansion. The method further includes infiltrating the particle precursor of the bit body and insert with the molten matrix material and cooling the molten particle-matrix mixture to solidify the molten matrix material and form a bit body comprising a particle-matrix composite material having a plurality of hard particles and an insert disposed in the matrix material.

Abstract: An earth-boring rotary drill bit includes a bit body configured to carry one or more cutters for engaging a subterranean earth formation. The bit body includes a particle-matrix composite material having a plurality of hard particles dispersed throughout a matrix material, the particle-matrix composite material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The bit body also includes insert disposed in the bit body. The insert has a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is greater than the first coefficient of thermal expansion of the matrix.

Abstract: A process for producing a metal article containing at least 10% interconnected porosity, using a preform (11), comprising: mixing an organic binder, a wetting agent and a granular material, to obtain a mouldable paste that combines 10 vol. pct. or more of said granular material, said material dissolving easily in a liquid solvent; shaping the paste into an aerated preform and providing an open pore space to be infiltrated by the metal or alloy; evaporating said wetting agent and baking said preform to a temperature sufficient to degrade the binder and create a network of interconnected open porosity in the preform; filling said open pore space with the liquid metal or alloy. All or part of the baked preform can be easily leached by a liquid solvent through the network of fine pores.

Abstract: Composite wire comprising polycrystalline &agr;-Al2O3 fibers within a matrix of aluminum, or an alloy of aluminum and up to about 2% copper. The resulting materials are characterized by their high strength and low weight are particularly well suited for applications in various industries including high voltage power transmission.

Abstract: Method of making articles comprising polycrystalline &agr;-Al2O3 fibers within a matrix of aluminum, or an alloy of aluminum and up to about 2% copper.

Abstract: A composite metal matrix formed of polycrystalline &agr;-Al2O3 fibers encapsulated within a matrix of substantially pure elemental aluminum, or an alloy elemental aluminum and up to about 2% copper is disclosed. The resulting materials are characterized by their high strength and low weight are particularly well suited for applications in various industries including high voltage power transmission.

Abstract: Method of making wire comprising polycrystalline &agr;-Al2O3 fibers within a matrix of substantially pure elemental aluminum, or an alloy elemental aluminum and up to about 2% copper.

Abstract: Wire comprising polycrystalline &agr;-Al2O3 fibers within a matrix of substantially pure elemental aluminum, or an alloy elemental aluminum and up to about 2% copper.

Abstract: Overhead high power transmission cable comprising a plurality of wires comprising polycrystalline &agr;-Al2O3 fibers within a matrix of substantially pure elemental aluminum, or an alloy elemental aluminum and up to about 2% copper.

Abstract: Method for producing metal matrix composites. The method includes the steps of placing a substantially liquid metal in the vicinity of a reinforcement material and in the vicinity of the source of a transient magnetic field sufficient to produce an electromagnetic body force within the metal. The magnetic field is activated thereby propelling the substantially liquid metal into the reinforcement material thereby producing metal matrix composites.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a microcellular foam of a curable material by replicating a dissolvable particle preform and leaching away the dissolvable particle preform to yield the microcellular foam. The foam can be a preceramic polymer microcellular foam which can be pyrolyzed to form a ceramic microcellular foam. A method for making a composite including steps of producing a ceramic microcellular foam which is subsequently infiltrated to form the composite is also provided as are microcellular foams, ceramic microcellular foams and composites prepared according to the method of the invention.

Abstract: Composites of materials in which the matrix material does not spontaneously or readily wet the disperse phase and in which the volume fraction of the disperse phase is less than that formed in a packed bed of dispersate particles can be made effectively by an indirect method of infiltrating a packed bed of dispersate particles, using pressure or other mechanical force as needed to overcome poor wetting and form an intermediate concentrated composite. The concentrated composite is then mixed with additional matrix-forming material to produce the finally desired composite. The technique is particularly valuable for composites with ceramic dispersates and metal or alloy matrixes.