Metal-based composites and methods therefor
AssigneeWisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
InventorsLianyi Chen, Ali Nabaa
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Abstract
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods, apparatuses and articles of manufacture pertaining to metal-based materials having particles dispersed therein. As may be implemented in accordance with various embodiments, ceramic particles are provided in a metal-based melt. The metal-based melt is heated to induce boiling and therein diffuse metal vapors of the metal-based melt between the ceramic particles. A liquid metal coating is formed on the ceramic particles by condensing the metal vapors onto surfaces of ceramic particles. In certain implementations, the metal vapors are used to generate pressure between the ceramic particles, which causes the particles to move/disperse relative to one another.
Claims21
A method comprising:
- providing ceramic particles in a metal-based melt;
- heating the metal-based melt to induce boiling and therein diffusing metal vapors of the metal-based melt between the ceramic particles;
- and
- forming a liquid metal coating on the ceramic particles by condensing the metal vapors onto surfaces of the ceramic particles.
A method comprising:
- providing ceramic particles in a metal-based melt;
- heating the metal-based melt to induce boiling and therein diffusing metal vapors of the metal-based melt between the ceramic particles;
- and
- using the metal vapors to increase pressure between the ceramic particles, and using the increased pressure to disperse the ceramic particles.
An apparatus comprising:
- a tube-like structure to pass a metal-based melt including ceramic particles;
- and
- heating circuitry, including control circuitry programmed to operate the heating circuitry to:
- heat the metal-based melt in the tube-like structure to induce boiling and therein diffuse metal vapors of the metal-based melt between the ceramic particles;
- form a liquid metal coating on the ceramic particles by condensing the metal vapors onto surfaces of ceramic particles;
- and
- disperse the ceramic particles by increasing pressure between the ceramic particles via the diffused metal vapors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.