Abstract: The present invention relates to ferrules for use in fittings of the type that are used for gripping a body, such as a tube end. More particularly, the invention provides ferrules manufactured from hollow stock, such as welded hollow stock and processes for making such ferrules.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for producing a self-supporting ceramic body by oxidation of a molten precursor metal with a vapor-phase oxidant to form an oxidation reaction product and inducing a molten flux comprising said molten precursor metal through said oxidation reaction product. A second metal is incorporated into said molten flux during the oxidation reaction. The resulting ceramic body includes sufficient second metal such that one or more properties of said ceramic body are at least partially affected by the presence and properties of said second metal in the metallic constituent.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to mechanisms for preventing undesirable oxidation (i.e., oxidation protection mechanisms) of reinforcement materials in composite bodies. The oxidation protection mechanisms include getterer materials which are added to the composite body which gather or scavenge undesirable oxidants which may enter the composite body. The getterer materials may be placed into at least a portion of the composite body such that any undesirable oxidant approaching, for example, a fiber reinforcement, would be scavenged by (e.g., reacted with) the getterer. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the getterer material(s) form at least one compound (e.g., at least one glassy material) which acts as a crack sealant, thereby further enhancing the oxidation protection of the composite body. One or more ceramic filler materials which serve as reinforcements may have a plurality of superimposed coatings thereon, at least one of which coatings may function as a getterer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for forming thin metal matrix composite bodies. Particularly, an infiltration enhancer and/or an infiltrating atmosphere are in communication with a filler material or preform, at least at some point during the process, which permits molten matrix metal to spontaneously infiltrate the filler material or preform. Such spontaneous infiltration occurs without the application of any pressure or vacuum. In an embodiment of the present invention, the filler material may be sprayed upon a thin sheet of matrix metal. Alternatively, the filler material may be shaped via tape casting, slip casting, etc. to provide a thin preform. In another embodiment of the present invention, a body of matrix metal may be coated with a filler material such that upon spontaneous infiltration a metal matrix composite body is produced which inversely replicates the configuration of the original body of matrix metal.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to mechanisms for preventing undesirable oxidation (i.e., oxidation protection mechanisms) of reinforcement materials in composite bodies. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a coated ceramic filler material adaptable for use as a reinforcing component in a ceramic matrix composite is provided with a plurality of superimposed coatings. The coating system includes a first coating in substantially continuous contact with the ceramic filler material and one or more additional or outer coatings superimposed over the underlying coating and in substantially continuous contact therewith. Zonal junctions are formed between the filler and the first coating, between superimposed coatings, and between the outer coating and the ceramic matrix. The coatings are selected so that the interfacial shear strength of at least one of these several zones is weak relative to the other zones.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for forming thin metal matrix composite bodies. Particularly, an infiltration enhancer and/or an infiltrating atmosphere are in communication with a filler material or preform, at least, at some point during the process, which permits molten matrix metal to spontaneously infiltrate the filler material or preform. Such spontaneous infiltration occurs without the application of any pressure or vacuum. In an embodiment of the present invention, the filler material may be sprayed upon a thin sheet of matrix metal. Alternatively, the filler material may be shaped via tape casting, slip casting, etc. to provide a thin preform. In another embodiment of the present invention, a body of matrix metal may be coated with a filler material such that upon spontaneous infiltration a metal matrix composite body is produced which inversely replicates the configuration of the original body of matrix metal.

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. The preform material can then be placed onto the surface of or into a matrix metal alloy, whereupon the matrix metal alloy spontaneously infiltrates the preform. After substantial complete infiltration of the preform, the preform begins to at least partially sink into the matrix metal alloy supply. The depth to which the preform may sink into the molten matrix metal alloy is controlled by utilizing a support means. The support means prevents the preform being infiltrated from submerging completely beneath the surface of the matrix metal alloy supply. The matrix metal which has infiltrated the preform is then allowed to cool, thus forming a metal matrix composite body.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to mechanisms for preventing undesirable oxidation (i.e., oxidation protection mechanisms) of reinforcement materials in composite bodies. The oxidation protection mechanisms include getterer materials which are added to the composite body which gather or scavenge undesirable oxidants which may enter the composite body. The getterer materials may be placed into at least a portion of the matrix such that any desirable oxidant approaching, for example, a fiber reinforcement, would be scavenged by (e.g., reacted with) the getterer. Ceramic filler materials which serve as reinforcements may have a plurality of super-imposed coatings thereon, at least one of which coatings may function as a getterer. The coated materials may be useful as reinforcing materials in ceramic matrix composites to provide improved mechanical properties such as fracture toughness.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing a self-supporting body comprising the steps of:(a) forming a permeable mass comprising at least one solid-phase oxidant selected from the group consisting of the halogens, sulphur and its compounds, metals, metal oxides other than the silicates, and metal nitrides other than those of boron and silicon;(b) orienting said permeable mass and a source of said parent metal relative to each other so that formation of said oxidation reaction product will occur into said permeable mass;(c) heating said source of parent metal to a temperature above the melting point of said parent metal but below the melting point of said oxidation reaction product to form a body of molten parent metal;(d) reacting said body of molten parent metal with said at least one solid-phase oxidant at said temperature to permit said oxidant at said temperature to permit said oxidation reaction product to form; and(e) maintaining at least a portion of said at least one oxidation reaction product

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method of manufacturing a composite body, such as a ZrB.sub.2 --ZrC--Zr (optional) composite body, by utilizing a post-treatment process and to the novel products made thereby. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of modifying a composite body comprising one or more boron-containing compounds (e.g., a boride or a boride and a carbide) which has been made by the reactive infiltration of a molten parent metal into a bed or mass containing boron carbide, and optionally one or more inert fillers, to form the body.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method of manufacturing a composite body. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for modifying the resultant properties of a composite body, by, for example, minimizing the amount of porosity present in the composite body. Moreover, additives, whether used alone or in combination, (1) can be admixed with the permeable mass, (2) can be mixed or alloyed with the parent metal, (3) can be placed at an interface between the parent metal and the preform or mass of filler material, (4) or any combination of the aforementioned methods, to modify properties of the resultant composite body. Particularly, additives such as VC, NbC, WC, W.sub.2 B.sub.5, TaC, ZrC, ZrB.sub.2, SiB.sub.6, SiC, MgO, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, ZrO.sub.2, CeO.sub.2, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, La.sub.2 O.sub.3, MgAl.sub.2 O.sub.4, HfO.sub.2, ZrSiO.sub.4, Yb.sub.2 O.sub.3 and Mo.sub.2 B.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method for joining at least one first self-supporting body to at least one second self-supporting body which is similar in composition to or different in composition from said at least one first self-supporting body and to novel products which result from such joining. In some of its more specific aspects, this invention relates to different techniques for joining ceramic matrix composite bodies to other ceramic matrix composite bodies of similar characteristics and for joining ceramic matrix composite bodies to bodies which have different characteristics (e.g., metals). The ceramic matrix composite bodies of this invention are produced by a reactive infiltration of a molten parent metal into a bed or mass containing at least one of a boron source material, a carbon source material, and a nitrogen source material and, optionally, one or more inert fillers.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to mechanisms for preventing undesirable oxidation (i.e., oxidation protection mechanisms) of reinforcement materials in composite bodies. The oxidation protection mechanisms include getterer materials which are added to the composite body which gather or scavenge undesirable oxidants which may enter the composite body. The getterer materials may be placed into at least a portion of the matrix such that any desirable oxidant approaching, for example, a fiber reinforcement, would be scavenged by (e.g., reacted with) the getterer. Ceramic filler materials which serve as reinforcements may have a plurality of super-imposed coatings thereon, at least one of which coatings may function as a getterer. The coated materials may be useful as reinforcing materials in ceramic matrix composites to provide improved mechanical properties such as fracture toughness.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method of preparing self-supporting bodies, and novel products made thereby. In its more specific aspects, this invention relates to a method for producing self-supporting bodies comprising one or more boron-containing compounds (e.g., a boride or a boride and a carbide, etc.) by reactive infiltration of molten parent metal into a preform comprising boron carbide or a boron donor material combined with a carbon donor material and, optionally, one or more inert fillers, to form the body. Specifically, a boron carbide material or combination of a boron donor material and a carbon donor material, and in either case, optionally, one or more inert fillers, are sedimentation cast, spray coated, tapped, slip cast, pressed, etc., onto or into a body and into a particular desired shape.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to mechanisms for preventing undesirable oxidation (i.e., oxidation protection mechanisms) of reinforcement materials in composite bodies. The oxidation protection mechanisms include getterer materials which are added to the composite body which gather or scavenge undesirable oxidants which may enter the composite body. The getterer materials may be placed into at least a portion of the matrix such that any desirable oxidant approaching, for example, a fiber reinforcement, would be scavenged by (e.g., reacted with) the getterer. Ceramic filler materials which serve as reinforcements may have a plurality of super-imposed coatings thereon, at least one of which coatings may function as a getterer. The coated materials may be useful as reinforcing materials in ceramic matrix composites to provide improved mechanical properties such as fracture toughness.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method of preparing self-supporting bodies, and novel products made thereby. In its more specific aspects, this invention relates to a method for producing self-supporting bodies comprising one or more boron-containing compounds, e.g., a boride or a boride and a carbide, by reactive infiltration of molten parent metal into a preform comprising boron carbide or a boron donor material combined with a carbon donor material and, optionally, one or more inert fillers, to form the body. Specifically, a boron carbide material or combination of a boron donor material and a carbon donor material, and in either case, optionally, one or more inert fillers, are sedimentation cast, slip cast or pressed onto or into a body and into a particular desired shape.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method of manufacturing a composite body, such as a ZrB.sub.2 -ZrC-Zr (optional) composite body, by utilizing a post-treatment process and to the novel products made thereby. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of modifying a composite body comprising one or more boron-containing compounds (e.g., a boride or a boride and a carbide) which has been made by the reactive infiltration of a molten parent metal into a bed or mass containing boron carbide, and optionally one or more inert fillers, to form the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for forming a plurality of thin metal matrix composite bodies. Particularly, an infiltration enhancer and/or an infiltrating atmosphere are in communication with a filler material or preform, at least at some point during the process, which permits molten matrix metal to spontaneously infiltrate the plurality of filler materials or preforms. Such spontaneous infiltration occurs without the application of any pressure or vacuum and occurs in a single step. In an embodiment of the present invention, the filler material may be sprayed upon a thin sheet of matrix metal. Alternatively, the filler material may be shaped via tape casting, slip casting, etc. to provide a thin preform. In another embodiment of the present invention, a body of matrix metal may be coated with a filler material such that upon spontaneous infiltration a metal matrix composite body is produced which inversely replicates the configuration of the original body of matrix metal.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method of manufacturing a composite body, such as a ZrB.sub.2 -ZrC-Zr (optional) composite body, by utilizing a post-treatment process and to the novel products made thereby. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of modifying a composite body comprising one or more boron-containing compounds (e.g., a boride or a boride and a carbide) which has been made by the reactive infiltration of a molten parent metal into a bed or mass containing boron carbide, and optionally one or more inert fillers, to form the body.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel method of manufacturing a composite body, such as a ZrB.sub.2 --ZrC--Zr composite body, by utilizing a post-treatment process and to the novel products made thereby. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of modifying a composite body comprising one or more boron-containing compounds (e.g., a boride or a boride and a carbide) which has been made by the reactive infiltration of a molten parent metal into a bed or mass containing boron carbide, and optionally one or more inert fillers, to form the body.