Process for fabrication of cermets
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorRichard L. Landingham
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Abstract
Cermet comprising ceramic and metal components and a molten metal infiltration method and process for fabrication thereof. The light weight cermets having improved porosity, strength, durability, toughness, elasticity fabricated from presintered ceramic powder infiltrated with a molten metal or metal alloy. Alumina titanium cermets biocompatible with the human body suitable for bone and joint replacements.
Claims16
A process for fabrication of cermets comprising of a ceramic powder infiltrated with a molten metal or metal alloy, said process comprising steps:
- (a) presintering a ceramic powder selected from the group consisting of any one or a mixture of aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, aluminum boride, aluminum silicate, hafnium oxide, hafnium nitride, hafnium boride, hafnium silicate, vanadium oxide, vanadium nitride, vanadium boride, vanadium silicate, beryllium oxide, beryllium nitride, beryllium borate and beryllium silicate at its sintering temperature and proper atmospheres into a porous ceramic matrix of a desired shape;
- (b) molten metal infiltrating the matrix of step (a) with a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, nickel, magnesium, calcium, aluminum, lithium, copper, iron, silicon, manganese, cobalt, molybdenum, niobium, zirconium, and their combination wherein said selected metal having a melting point lower than the sintering temperature of the powder of step (a).
The process of claim 3 wherein additionally a wetting angle of the metal or metal alloy is determined before the compact of step (a) is infiltrated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.