Metal nitrides and/or metal carbides with nanocrystalline grain structure
AssigneeThe Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsMatthew Laskoski, Boris Dyatkin, Teddy M. Keller
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Abstract
Disclosed is a composition having nanoparticles or particles of a refractory metal, a refractory metal hydride, a refractory metal carbide, a refractory metal nitride, or a refractory metal boride, an organic compound consisting of carbon and hydrogen, and a nitrogenous compound consisting of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. The composition, optionally containing the nitrogenous compound, is milled, cured to form a thermoset, compacted into a geometric shape, and heated in a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature that forms a nanoparticle composition comprising nanoparticles of metal nitride and optionally metal carbide. The nanoparticles have a uniform distribution of the nitride or carbide.
Claims4
A ceramic made by a method comprising:
- providing a composition comprising:
- nanoparticles of a refractory-metal carbide, boron carbide, or silicon carbide;
- and
- nanoparticles of a refractory-metal nitride, boron nitride, or silicon nitride;
- wherein the composition has a uniform distribution of the carbide and the nitride;
- and
- wherein the composition is in the form of a powder;
- combining the composition with an organic compound consisting of carbon and hydrogen or a polymer resin consisting of carbon and hydrogen to form a precursor composition;
- milling the precursor mixture;
- and
- heating the precursor composition in an inert atmosphere, argon, or nitrogen at a temperature that causes formation of the ceramic comprising the carbide, the nitride, and a carbonaceous matrix.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.