Abstract: A method is provided for maintaining an aircraft of a type of aircraft. The method includes accessing time series of observations of variables that describe in-service operation of the aircraft, maintenance of the aircraft, and weather and/or terrain in an environment of the aircraft during in-service operation and maintenance. The method includes determining a behavior model that is trained to predict demand for replacement aircraft parts from a training set across a plurality of aircraft of the type of aircraft. The behavior model is implemented as a directed acyclic graph of machine learning models that are connected to one another. The time series are applied to the behavior model to predict the demand for the replacement aircraft parts, a plan is created for acquisition of the replacement aircraft parts and maintenance of the aircraft based on the demand as predicted, and the plan is executed.

Abstract: A method is provided for maintaining an aircraft of a type of aircraft. The method includes accessing time series of observations of variables that describe in-service operation of the aircraft, maintenance of the aircraft, and weather and/or terrain in an environment of the aircraft during in-service operation and maintenance. The method includes determining a behavior model that is trained to predict demand for replacement aircraft parts from a training set across a plurality of aircraft of the type of aircraft. The behavior model is implemented as a directed acyclic graph of machine learning models that are connected to one another. The time series are applied to the behavior model to predict the demand for the replacement aircraft parts, a plan is created for acquisition of the replacement aircraft parts and maintenance of the aircraft based on the demand as predicted, and the plan is executed.

Abstract: Composite materials are disclosed comprising a continuous matrix with composite reinforcements therein. The composite materials may include a continuous metal, metal alloy or intermetallic matrix with intermetallic matrix composite reinforcements dispersed therein. Suitable metals for the continuous matrix include Al, Ti, Cu and Fe, and alloys and intermetallics thereof. The composite reinforcements comprise ceramic particles dispersed in a continuous intermetallic matrix. Suitable intermetallics include alumnides of Ti, Cu, Ni, Mg and Fe, while suitable ceramics include refractory metal borides, carbides, nitrides, sulicides and sulfides. In one embodiment, the ceramic particles are formed in-situ within the intermetallic matrix of the composite reinforcements. The composite materials are produced by powder metallurgical techniques wherein powders of the continuous matrix component and powders of the composite reinforcement are blended and consolidated.

Abstract: Composite materials are disclosed comprising a continuous matrix with composite reinforcements therein. The composite materials may include a continuous metal, metal alloy or intermetallic matrix with intermetallic matrix composite reinforcements dispersed therein. Suitable metals for the continuous matrix include Al, Ti, Cu and Fe, and alloys and intermetallics thereof. The composite reinforcements comprise ceramic particles dispersed in a continuous intermetallic matrix. Suitable intermetallics include alumnides of Ti, Cu, Ni, Mg and Fe, while suitable ceramics include refractory metal borides, carbides, nitrides, silicides and sulfides. In one embodiment, the ceramic particles are formed in-situ within the intermetallic matrix of the composite reinforcements. The composite materials are produced by powder metallurgical techniques wherein powders of the continuous matrix component and powders of the composite reinforcement are blended and consolidated.

Abstract: An article comprises a Cr-bearing, predominantly gamma titanium aluminide matrix including second phase dispersoids, such as TiB.sub.2, in an amount effective to increase both the strength and the ductility of the matrix.

Abstract: An article comprises a Cr-bearing, predominantly gamma titanium aluminide matrix including second phase dispersoids, such as TiB.sub.2, in an amount effective to increase both the strength and the ductility of the matrix.

Abstract: An article comprises a Cr-bearing, predominantly gamma titanium aluminide matrix including second phase dispersoids, such as TiB.sub.2, in an amount effective to increase both the strength and the ductility of the matrix.

Abstract: A method is taught for the in-situ precipitation of ceramic materials in a metal matrix. By means of the solvent assisted reaction, metal-ceramic composites having highly superior properties may be obtained. The invention involves the reaction of the ceramic forming constituents in a metal solvent medium to provide very finely-dispersed ceramic particles in the metal matrix. Exemplary materials include titanium diboride in an aluminum matrix.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for contacting a hot reaction mass with water to initiate an explosive reaction. The reaction mass comprises a ceramic or intermetallic material that is produced by exothermically reacting a mixture of reactive elements. Suitable reaction masses include borides and/or carbides that are formed by reacting a mixture comprising B and/or C in combination with an element selected from Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W. Additional metals such as Al, Li, Mg, Zn, Cu, Be, Na, K, Ca, Rb, Y, U and Cs may also be present in the reactive mixture. In operation, the hot reaction mass is contacted with water to initiate an explosive water reaction and to produce large volumes of hydrogen containing gas.

Abstract: An arc-melting method is taught for the formation of metallic-second phase composite materials. The method involves the formation of an intermediate composite material comprising a relatively high loading of second phase particles dispersed in a metal matrix. This intermediate material is then combined with an additional amount of metal and arc-melted to form a final composite comprising a lower loading of the second phase particles dispersed in a final metallic matrix. The final metallic matrix may be comprised of a metal, metal alloy, or intermetallic, while the second phase particles may comprise ceramic materials such as borides, carbides, nitrides, silicides, oxides or sulfides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the formation of whisker reinforced metal matrix composites in which complex boride or carbide whiskers having an aspect ratio of greater than 10:1 are distributed throughout a metal, metal alloy, or intermetallic matrix. Exemplary complex boride whiskers include TiNbB, TiTaB, TiVB, NbHfB, and TiNbMoB. Exemplary complex carbide whiskers include TiNbC, TiVC, TiZrC, TiHfC, and TiTaC. A method for the in-situ formation of complex boride and complex carbide whiskers within metallic matrices is disclosed which involves reacting a mixture of individual complex ceramic-forming constituents in the presence of a metal to precipitate the desired complex ceramic whiskers in a metal matrix.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rapidly solidified product comprising a second phase in both a stable particulate form and a metastable flake form dispersed in an intermetallic matrix.

Abstract: A method is taught for the in-situ precipitation of second phase materials, such as ceramic or intermetallic particles, in a substantial volume fraction of solvent metal matrix. The invention involves the propagating reaction of the second phase-forming constituents in a solvent metal medium to provide a porous composite of finely-dispersed second phase particles in the metal matrix. Exemplary materials include titanium carbide or titanium diboride in an aluminum matrix.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of fine powder materials and the products of that process. The process involves the in-situ precipitation of second phase particles, such as ceramic or intermetalics, within a metal matrix, followed by separation of the particles from the matrix to yield a powder comprising the second phase particles. Particles formed by this process are typically in the size range of 0.01 to 10 microns and have controlled morphology, narrow size distribution, well defined stoichiometery and relatively high purity. Exemplary of second phase particles formed by this process are metal borides, carbides, nitrides, oxides, silicides and beryllides, including TiB.sub.2, ZrB.sub.2, VB.sub.2, MoB.sub.2, TiC, WC, VC, TiN, ZrSi.sub.2, MoSi.sub.2, Ti.sub.5 Si.sub.3, and TiBe.sub.12.

Abstract: A method is taught for the in-situ precipitation of second phase materials, such as ceramic or intermetallic particles, in a substantial volume fraction of solvent metal matrix. The invention involves the propagating reaction of the second phase-forming constituents in a solvent metal medium to provide a porous composite of finely-dispersed second phase particles in the metal matrix. Exemplary materials include titanium carbide or titanium diboride in an aluminum matrix.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for making in-situ precipitated second phase in an intermetallic matrix, which composite is rapidly solidified to form a product. The invention also relates to a rapidly solidified product comprising a second phase in both a stable particulate form and a metastable flake form dispersed in an intermetallic matrix.

Abstract: A method is taught for the formation of intermetallic-second phase composite materials. The method involves the formation of a first metal-second phase composite comprising a relatively high loading of discrete, second phase particles distributed throughout a metal matrix, dilution of the first composite into an additional amount of metal to form a second composite comprising a lower loading of second phase particles within an intermediate metal matrix, and introduction of the second composite into another metal which is reactive with the intermediate metal matrix of the composite to form an intermetallic. A final intermetallic-second phase composite is thereby formed comprising a dispersion of discrete second phase particles throughout a final intermetallic matrix. The final intermetallic matrix may comprise a wide variety of intermetallic materials, with particular emphasis drawn to the aluminides and silicides. Exemplary intermetallics include Ti.sub.3 Al, TiAl, TiAl.sub.3, Ni.sub.3 Al, NiAl, Nb.sub.

Abstract: A method is taught for the in-situ precipitation of second phase materials, such as ceramic or intermetallic particles, in a metallic matrix. By means of the Direct Addition Process, metal-second phase composites having highly superior properties may be obtained. Compacts of second phase-forming constituents and solvent metal are directly added to a molten metal bath to precipitate the second phase in-situ. Exemplary materials include titanium diboride or titanium carbide in an aluminum matrix.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composite material comprising an in-situ precipitated second phase in an intermetallic matrix, and to the process for making such a composite.

Abstract: A method is taught for the introduction of in-situ precipitated second phase materials, such as ceramic or intermetallic particles in a metal matrix, to a host metal. When an initial solvent-assisted reaction is utilized, metal-second phase composites having highly superior properties may be obtained. The invention may utilize the reaction of the second phase-forming constituents in a solvent metal medium to provide an intermediate material of finely-dispersed second phase particles in an intermediate metal matrix, in the form of a porous mass or sponge. Any desired loading of second phase in the final composite may be achieved by the admixture of this preformed intermediate material having a relatively high content of particulate material, with a molten host metal. Exemplary materials include titanium diboride in an aluminum matrix and titanium carbide in an aluminum matrix.