초록 ▼

A method is provided of producing a self-supporting ceramic composite structure having one or more encasement members, such as an encasing steel sleeve, joined to it by growth of the ceramic material to engagement surface(s) of the encasement member(s). A parent metal is contacted with a body of fil

A method is provided of producing a self-supporting ceramic composite structure having one or more encasement members, such as an encasing steel sleeve, joined to it by growth of the ceramic material to engagement surface(s) of the encasement member(s). A parent metal is contacted with a body of filler which is encased by the encasement member(s). The resulting assembly is heated to melt and oxidize the parent metal, e.g., aluminum, to form a polycrystalline material comprising an oxidation reaction product which grows through the doby of filler and stops at the engagement surface(s) of the encasement member(s) which thereby determines the surface geometry of the grown ceramic matrix. Upon cooling, the encasement member(s) is shrink-fitted about the ceramic composite body. The invention also provides the resultant articles, for example, a ceramic composite body having a stainless steel member affixed thereto.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for producing a ceramic composite body maintained under compressive stress by an encasement member, said composite body comprising (1) a ceramic matrix obtained by oxidation of a parent metal to form a polycrystalline material comprising (i) an oxidation reaction product of said parent meta

A method for producing a ceramic composite body maintained under compressive stress by an encasement member, said composite body comprising (1) a ceramic matrix obtained by oxidation of a parent metal to form a polycrystalline material comprising (i) an oxidation reaction product of said parent metal with an oxidant and (2) a mass of filler embedded by said matrix, the method comprising steps of: (a) heating a parent metal to a temperature region above its melting point but below the melting point of its oxidation reaction product to form a body of molten parent metal; (b) contacting said molten parent metal with a mass of filler material in the presence of an oxidant, at least a portion of said filler being contained within an encasement member and said filler being in conforming engagement with at least a portion of an interior surface of said encasement member, whereby said interior surface defines a surface boundary of said mass of filler material so that formation of oxidation reaction product will occur in a direction toward and into said dmass of filler material; and (c) at aid temperature region (1) reacting said molten metal with said oxidant to form said oxidation reaction product, (2) maintaining at least a portion of said oxidation reaction product in contact with and between said molten parent metal and said oxidant, to progressively draw molten parent metal through the oxidation reaction product towards the oxidant so that fresh oxidation reaction product forms within said filler at an interface between s aid oxdant and previously formed oxidation reaction product, and (3) continuing said reaction until said polycrystalline material has infiltrated said filler to at least a portion of said surface boundary to produce said ceramic composite body, and (4) recovering said ceramic composite body having said encasement member intrinsically fitted thereon for maintaining said composite body under compressive stress.