Glass enameling of aluminum metal matrix composites

Abstract

A method of forming an enameled coating on a structure made of a metal matrix composite (MMC) material is provided. In some examples, the method includes providing a structure formed of the MMC material, the MMC material having a given coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). An enamel mixture is formed to include a glass material and a pigment material, the material selected to yield a mixture with a substantially similar CTE. A surface of the MMC structure is coated with the enamel mixture, the structure then heated in order to melt the enamel mixture. Following the heat treatment, the heated, coated MMC structure is cooled, thereby achieving a glass enameled coating with a color corresponding to the selected pigment.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.