Abstract: A reinforced composite material, having isotropic thermal expansion properties and a low coefficient of thermal expansion over at least the temperature range of from about 0° C. to at least about 150° C. The composite material comprises in combination a preformed bonded powder material reinforcement in which the bonded powder material is chosen from zirconium tungstate, hafnium tungstate, zirconium hafnium tungstate, and mixtures of zirconium tungstate and hafnium tungstate, and a matrix material chosen from aluminium, aluminium alloys in which aluminium is the major component, magnesium, magnesium alloys in which magnesium is the major component, titanium, titanium alloys in which titanium is the major component, engineering thermoplastics and engineering thermoplastics containing a conventional solid filler.

Abstract: A ceramic-metal composite that is tough and stiff has been prepared and is comprised of an inert ceramic (e.g., alumina) embedded and dispersed in a matrix comprised of a metal (e.g., aluminum), a reactive ceramic (e.g., boron carbide) and a reactive ceramic-metal reaction product (e.g., AlB2, Al4BC, Al3B48C2, AlB12, Al4C3, AlB24C4 or mixtures thereof) wherein grains of the inert ceramic have an average grain size greater than or equal to the average grain size of grains of the reactive ceramic. The ceramic-metal composite may be prepared by forming a mixture comprised of an inert ceramic powder (e.g., alumina) and a reactive ceramic powder (e.g., boron carbide), the inert ceramic powder having an average particle size equal to or greater than the average particle size of the reactive ceramic powder, forming the mixture into a porous body and consolidating the porous body in the presence of a metal (e.g., aluminum) to form the ceramic-metal composite.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a carrier of a motor vehicle. The carrier is formed of a first portion and the second portion. The first portion is made of aluminum having ceramic particles reinforcing the aluminum matrix. The second portion is made of unreinforced aluminum metal or metal alloy. Preferably the second portion is present in form of discrete pockets in the first portion and is adapted to be machined or welded.

Abstract: A consolidated complex shaped article having a density of at least about 95 percent of theoretical density is prepared by placing a plurality of separate bodies in an arrangement, such that each separate body is in contact with at least one other separate body to form an aggregate body and wherein at least one of the separate bodies is essentially dense. The material of each separate body is comprised of a ceramic, a cermet or a metal. The aggregate body is then consolidated at a consolidating temperature, superatmospheric pressure and time at temperature and time at superatmospheric pressure sufficient to form a consolidated shaped article. In consolidating the aggregate body, the consolidating temperature is a temperature that fails to form a liquid within at least one separate body and the superatmospheric temperature is applied for at least a portion of the time at the consolidating temperature.

Abstract: A filter having two zones, the first zone having a low electrical conductivity and the second zone having a high electrical conductivity at electrode attachment zones due to infiltration of metal within the second zone.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for modifying the properties of a porous freeform fabricated part by increasing its density and reducing its porosity. The porosity and density of a freeform fabricated part are altered by packing the pores in a freeform part with an infiltrant, such as a preceramic polymer. The process includes drawing a vacuum on or pressurizing the freeform part while it is in an infiltrant bath, thereby forcing the infiltrant into the pores of the freeform part. After removing the densified freeform part from the infiltrant bath, the freeform part is subjected to a treating process, such that the infiltrant within the pores transforms to a ceramic or ceramic-containing phase to thereby increasing the density of the freeform part.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a metallic nonfoam region, and a ceramic foam region joined to the metallic region. The ceramic foam region is an open-cell solid ceramic foam made of ceramic cell walls having an intracellular volume therebetween. The ceramic is preferably alumina. The intracellular volume may be empty porosity, or an intracellular metal such as an intracellular nickel-base superalloy.

Abstract: A composite ceramic-metal material has an Al2O3 matrix interpenetrated by a network of a ductile metal phase with a higher meltin temperature than aluminum and which makes up 15 to 80 vol. % of its total volume. The Al2O3 matrix forms a coherent network that makes up 20 to 85 vol. %, and the material contains 0.1 to 20 atom % aluminide. To produce this composite material, a green body shaped by powder metallurgy and which contains a finely divided powdery mixture of Al2O3 and optionally other ceramic substances, as well as one or several metals or metal alloys different from aluminum and to which 0.1 to 20 atom % aluminum are added, in relation to the metal proportion, is sintered. The composition is selected in such a way that maximum 15 vol. % aluminide phase can be formed in the finished sintered body.

Abstract: A mass of graphite is placed into a case, and the case is put into a furnace (step S301). The space in the furnace is heated to produce a porous sintered body of graphite (step S302). Thereafter, the case with the porous sintered body contained therein is removed from the furnace, and put into a cavity in a press (step S303). Then, a molten mass of a metal is poured into the case (step S304), and a punch is inserted into the cavity to press the molten metal into the porous sintered body in the case (step S305).

Abstract: A coating composition produces a protective coating to a substrate, which coating has an improved surface smoothness. The coating composition comprises a mixture of at least a first type of particles and a second type of particles that are dispersed in a liquid medium. The particles form a total population of particles having a median ESD in a range from about 1 to about 7 micrometers. The different types of particles have different median ESDs. The first type of particles has a maximum ESD of about 40 micrometers, and the second type of particles has a maximum ESD of about 20 micrometers. A method for producing a coating having an improved surface smoothness comprises applying such a coating composition on a substrate and curing the coating composition to produce a protective coating. The coating may be further densified by a burnishing process or further improved by applying another coating comprising particles having ESDs less than about 4 micrometers.

Abstract: A composite material has SiC produced by preliminarily sintering a porous body having a coefficient of thermal expansion lower than the coefficient of thermal expansion of copper to construct a network therein, the SiC being impregnated with a copper alloy. The copper alloy comprises copper and one or more additive elements which are prepared to impart a coefficient of thermal conductivity of 160 W/mK or higher to the composite material. The additive elements comprise up to 5% of at least one element selected from Be, Al, Si, Mg, Ti, Ni, Bi, Te, Zn, Pb, Sn, and mish metal, and also contains unavoidable impurities and gas components.

Abstract: A ticket providing access to a zone with controlled access when it is presented without contact in front of a scanner authorizing access to the zone, said ticket having an Edmonson format and including a paper ticket body covered on both surfaces with a protective coating. The paper ticket body is provided with a through recess where is located an electronic module including an integrated circuit and an antenna. The latter is formed by at least one turn obtained by screen printing with silvery powder in a polymerizable composition before being heat-cured. The ticket provides the advantages of being inexpensive to produce compared to a contactless access card and is highly biodegradable, which is essential for a disposable ticket.

Abstract: A high strength spongy sintered metal composite sheet comprising a porous spongy sintered metal layer having continuous holes, and a high strength sintered, dense metal reinforcing layer having a porosity smaller than the porosity of the spongy sintered metal layer, laminated thereon, wherein the sintered, dense metal reinforcing layer has a thickness of 0.5-30% thickness with respect to the entire high strength spongy sintered metal composite sheet.

Abstract: Copper matrix composites reinforced with continuous SiC and/or boron fibers.

Abstract: Composite wear component produced by casting and consisting of a metal matrix whose working face or faces include inserts which have a very high wear resistance, characterized in that the inserts consist of a ceramic pad, this ceramic pad consisting of a homogeneous solid solution of 20 to 80% of A12O3 and 80 to 20% of ZrO2, the percentages being expressed by weights of the constituents, and the pad then being impregnated with a liquid metal during the casting.

Abstract: A preform for metal matrix composite material comprising: inorganic particles, small-diameter inorganic fibers, and large-diameter inorganic fibers. An average particle diameter of the inorganic particles is 1 to 50 &mgr;m. An average fiber diameter of the small-diameter inorganic fibers is 2 to 5 &mgr;m, and an average fiber length of the small-diameter inorganic fibers is 10 to 200 &mgr;m. An average fiber diameter of the large-diameter inorganic fibers is 4 to 20 &mgr;m, and an average fiber length of the large-diameter inorganic fibers is 10 to 200 &mgr;m. The small-diameter inorganic fibers catch and disperse the inorganic particles in a process of forming a formed body, and the large-diameter inorganic fibers create voids in cooperation with the small-diameter inorganic fibers in the process of forming the formed body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nickel cermet, which includes: 35% to 70% by weight of a nickel phase, and 65% to 30% by weight of zirconium oxide phase, wherein the zirconium oxide is stabilized in cubic form by 5 to 20 moles of yttrium oxide for each 100 moles of said zirconium oxide, and the metal nickel and zirconium oxide phases, upon X ray diffraction analysis are distinct and homogeneously distributed; and is prepared by a process that includes: a) dispersing zirconia stabilized by yttria having a particle size of between 1 and 40 &mgr;m , in demineralized water to prepare a suspension; b) dissolving a hydrosoluble and thermodecomposable nickel salt in demineralized d water to prepare a solution; c) mixing the nickel solution with the suspension and homogenizing the resulting dispersion by magnetic stirring for a time of between 5 and 40 minutes; d) eliminating the water from the dispersion by a system capable of operating without, or almost without, decomposition phenomena to obtain a solid th

Abstract: A metal substrate such as bare or anodized aluminum or an aluminum alloy having an inorganic white paint thermal control coating on the substrate, the coating having low solar absorptance and high infrared emittance, such as a potassium silicate binder having zinc oxide particles distributed therein, and a fluoropolymer topcoat such as polytetrafluoroethylene on the inorganic white coating, the topcoat having substantially no significant effect on the optical properties of the thermal control coating and having substantial adhesion to such coating and improved resistance to darkening under ultraviolet exposure in the outer space environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method an apparatus for fabricating a component by a direct laser process. One form of the present invention contemplates a gas turbine engine blade having an abrasive tip formed directly thereon.

Abstract: A metal-infiltrated ceramic for use in tribological applications, such as in mechanical face seals, beatings and other sliding or rubbing components, which provides excellent durability and wear characteristics. The metal-infiltrated ceramic is useful in both the “harder” and “softer” one of two relatively sliding members which is in, or may come into, contact with each other during the motion of one of the members relative to the other. The material is a porous ceramic which has been infiltrated with a metal.

Abstract: A high strength spongy sintered metal composite sheet comprising a porous spongy sintered metal layer having continuous holes, and a high strength sintered, dense metal reinforcing layer having a porosity smaller than the porosity of the spongy sintered metal layer, laminated thereon, wherein the sintered, dense metal reinforcing layer has a thickness of 0.5-30% thickness with respect to the entire high strength spongy sintered metal composite sheet.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for modifying the properties of a porous freeform fabricated part by increasing its density and reducing its porosity. The porosity and density of a freeform fabricated part are altered by packing the pores in a freeform part with an infiltrant, such as a preceramic polymer. The process includes drawing a vacuum on or pressurizing the freeform part while it is in an infiltrant bath, thereby forcing the infiltrant into the pores of the freeform part. After removing the densified freeform part from the infiltrant bath, the freeform part is subjected to a treating process, such that the infiltrant within the pores transforms to a ceramic or ceramic-containing phase to thereby increasing the density of the freeform part.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an aluminum-based composite plate is disclosed. The method comprises the step of producing an aluminum-based composite billet. The billet production step includes reducing, by magnesium nitride, an oxide-based ceramic as a porous molded body. The reduced oxide-based ceramic has improved wettability. An aluminum alloy is then caused to infiltrate into porous sections of the reduced oxide-based ceramic to thereby provide the aluminum-based composite billet. The billet is extrusion molded into a flat plate form by using an extrusion press. Plates of desired shapes are punched from the molded flat plate by using a press.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method an apparatus for fabricating a component by a direct laser process. One form of the present invention contemplates a gas turbine engine blade having an abrasive tip formed directly thereon.

Abstract: A process for producing a ceramic-metal composite, includes (1) mixing TiO2, and optionally Ti, with at least one of a boron-containing or carbon-containing material to give a green body mix; (2) heat treating the green body mix to a temperature from 900° C. to 1900° C. and below a temperature which leads to an autocatalytic reaction; (3) carrying out an exchange reaction between the material and the TiO2 to give a reaction product comprising at least one of TiBx and TiCy, wherein 0≦x 23 2 and 0≦y≦1; (4) producing a porous green body from the reaction product; (5) filling the porous green body with liquid aluminum after the exchange reaction; and (6) carrying out a reaction between the reaction product in the green body and the aluminum to form the ceramic-metal composite comprising a ceramic phase selected from the group consisting of TiBx-, TiCy-, TiCN- and Al2O3 and a comprising a metallic phase comprising an intermetallic compound of Ti and Al.

Abstract: Nickel cermet consisting of from 35 to 70% by weight of a metal nickel phase and 65 to 30% by weight of a zirconium oxide (zirconia) phase stabilized in cubic form by 5 to 20 moles of yttrium oxide (yttria) for each 100 moles of zirconium oxide, the two phases, upon X ray diffractometric analysis, being distinct and homogeneously distributed, characterized in that it is obtained by a process comprising the following steps:

Abstract: A Si—SiC material of Si concentration-gradient type is obtained by melt-infiltrating Si into a molded material comprising SiC particles. The Si—SiC material has a porosity of 1.0% or less and in the Si—SiC material the Si concentration decreases gradually from the surface layer towards the innermost layer. A SiC fiber-reinforced Si—SiC composite material of Si concentration-gradient type is obtained by melt-infiltrating Si into a molded material comprising a SiC fiber and SiC particles. The composite material has a porosity of 1.0% or less and in the composite material the Si concentration decreases gradually from the surface layer towards the innermost layer. These materials are significantly improved in corrosion resistance in highly oxidative and corrosive environment, strength, and healability of defects of surface layer and innermost layer.

Abstract: A metal-based composite material is formed by impregnating a matrix metal of Al or Al alloy into ores of a porous preform of a hydrogenatable metal having a metal hydride in at least a part of its surface.

Abstract: This invention is a high strength, thermal shock resistant, high purity siliconized silicon carbide material made from siliconizing a converted graphite SiC body having at least 71 vol % silicon carbide therein.

Abstract: An abrasion resistant coating is created by adding a ductile phase to a brittle matrix phase during spray coating where an Al—Cu—Fe quasicrystalline phase (brittle matrix) and an FeAl intermetallic (ductile phase) are combined. This composite coating produces a coating mostly of quasicrystal phase and an inter-splat layer of the FeAl phase to help reduce porosity and cracking within the coating. Coatings are prepared by plasma spraying unblended and blended quasicrystal and intermetallic powders. The blended powders contain 1, 5, 10 and 20 volume percent of the intermetallic powders. The unblended powders are either 100 volume percent quasicrystalline or 100 volume percent intermetallic; these unblended powders were studied for comparison to the others.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for gloss coating articles or a portion of an article's surface and articles produced from this method. A corrosion-inhibiting polishing base coat is applied in a known fashion, after which a high-gloss layer produced by atomization, preferably magnetron atomization, is applied. Then, a transparent, wear-resistant top coat layer is applied in a known fashion. The articles can also be pretreated, if desired, and given a protective or other layers. By using this method, parts for vehicles, especially vehicle wheels, can be produced in a great variety of colors and with improved qualities.

Abstract: The application of polypropylene carbonate in solution to valve metal powders having relatively high surface area, then evaporating the solvent under static (non-agitating) conditions. The static drying of the coated valve metal powder produces a semi-solid cake which may be converted into a free-flowing powder via screening. Valve metal powders so-coated with polypropylene carbonate are particularly well-suited for the fabrication of powder metallurgy anode bodies used for the manufacture of electrolytic capacitors.

Abstract: For forming a preform of composite material, such as aluminum-based composite material (MMC) by using friction during the forming thereof, ceramic reinforcement, such as Al2O3 and binder are prepared, and the prepared reinforcement and the silanor group binder are put into a die for press forming. During the forming, polycondensation occurs due to frictional heat generated between the fibrous or grain-like particles of the reinforcement and the silanor group binder to harden it, thereby obtaining a preform in which the particles of the reinforcement are fixedly connected to one another.

Abstract: A method of producing a silicon aluminum sputtering target is provided. The target is formed from a powder base of between about 80% to about 95% by weight silicon and about 5% to about 20% by weight aluminum which is placed in a containment unit, heated under vacuum and then sealed. The base is then subjected to a pressure greater than about 3000 psi and heated to a temperature between about 1076° F. and about 1652° F. such that some, but not more than 30%, of the resulting target is formed from liquid phase silicon-aluminum.

Abstract: An elongated part, of composite, metal matrix material, respectively comprises 35 to 45 vol. % of a matrix based on aluminum or magnesium alloy and 65 to 55 vol. % of continuous carbon fibers, arranged in sheets parallel to the length thereof. At least approximately 90% of the carbon fibers are ultra-high modulus fibers. In 25 to 60% of the sheets, said fibers are oriented at 0%±5° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the part, when the matrix is based on aluminum. In the other sheets, the fibers are then oriented between ±20 and ±40° with respect to said direction. When the matrix is based on magnesium, the ultra-high modulus fibers are oriented at 0°±5° in at least 90% of the sheets. This gives a high rigidity and high stability in the indicated direction, which favors applications in the space industry.

Abstract: Metal matrix composite body (MMC body) includes a porous reinforcement material (15) having pores being filled with an infiltration material (14) selected from the group metal and metal alloy, with the reinforcement material (15) being formed by recrystallized silicon carbide (RSiC).

Abstract: For forming a preform of composite material, such as aluminum-based composite material (MMC) by using friction during the forming thereof, ceramic reinforcement, such as Al2O3 and binder are prepared, and the prepared reinforcement and the silanor group binder are put into a die for press forming. During the forming, polycondensation occurs due to frictional heat generated between the fibrous or grain-like particles of the reinforcement and the silanor group binder to harden it, thereby obtaining a preform in which the particles of the reinforcement are fixedly connected to one another.

Abstract: A light-weight metal matrix composite includes a bimodal distribution of ceramic particles which are uniformly distributed within a metal or alloy matrix. The bimodal distribution includes a first component of ceramic particles having an average particle size of less than 1 micron and a second component of ceramic particles having an average particle size of about 5 to 15 microns. The metal matrix composite includes from about 15 to 30% by weight of the first component and from about 2.5 to about 10% by weight of the second component. At least 80% of the particles in the first component are uniformly distributed so that the particle spacing does not exceed 3 times the diameter of the largest cross sectional dimension of the particles in the first component and at least 80% of the ceramic particles in the second component are uniformly distributed so that the inner particle spacing does not exceed 3 times the diameter of the largest cross sectional dimension of the particles in the second component.