Methods for making polymer-reinforced steel matrix composites
AssigneeToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
InventorMichael Paul Rowe
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Abstract
Composite materials include a steel matrix with structural polymer integrated into the matrix. The composite materials have substantially lower density than steel, and are expected to have appreciable strength. Methods for forming composite steel composites includes combining a structural polymer component, such as a woven polymer, with steel nanoparticles and sintering the steel nanoparticles in order to form a steel matrix with structural polymer integrated therein.
Claims19
A method for making a composite material, the method comprising:
- providing steel nanoparticles;
- combining the steel nanoparticles with a structural polymer component to produce an unannealed combination;
- and
- sintering the steel nanoparticles at a temperature less than 450° C. to produce a continuous steel matrix with the structural polymer component at least partially encapsulated therein.
A method for making a composite material, the method comprising:
- providing steel nanoparticles having an average maximum dimension less than about 20 nm;
- combining the steel nanoparticles with a structural polymer component to produce an unannealed combination;
- and
- sintering the steel nanoparticles at a temperature less than 450° C. to produce a continuous steel matrix with the structural polymer component at least partially encapsulated therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.