Additives for improving the castability of aluminum-boron carbide composite material
AssigneeAlcan International Limited
InventorsJoseph Langlais, Neivi Andrade, Jean-Alain Laurin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure provides additives capable of undergoing a peritectic reaction with boron in aluminum-boron carbide composite materials. The additive may be selected from the group consisting of vanadium, zirconium, niobium, strontium, chromium, molybdenum, hafnium, scandium, tantalum, tungsten and combination thereof, is used to maintain the fluidity of the molten composite material, prior to casting, to facilitate castability.
Claims17
A cast composite material comprising (i) aluminum, (ii) products of a peritectic reaction between an additive and boron, (iii) dispersed boron carbide particles and (iv) optionally titanium, wherein:
- the additive is selected from the group consisting of chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, niobium, zirconium, strontium, scandium and any combination thereof;
- and
- a sample of the composite material has a fluidity, after having been heated, prior to casting, to a temperature of about 700° C. for about 120 minutes, corresponding to a cast length of at least 100 mm when measured using a mold having a groove for containing the sample, the groove having a width of about 33 mm, a height of between about 6.5 mm and about 4.0 mm and being downwardly inclined, from an horizontal axis, of about 10°.
(canceled)
11-20. (canceled)
A method of preparing a cast composite material, said method comprising:
- (a) combining (i) a molten aluminum alloy comprising an additive capable of undergoing a peritectic reaction with boron and optionally titanium with (ii) a source of boron carbide particles so as to provide a molten composite material comprising products of the peritectic reaction between the additive and boron and dispersed boron carbide particles, wherein:
- the additive is selected from the group consisting of chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, niobium, zirconium, strontium, scandium, and any combination thereof;
- and
- a sample of the composite material has a fluidity, after having been heated, prior to casting, to a temperature of about 700° C. for about 120 minutes, corresponding to a cast length of at least 100 mm when measured using a mold having a groove for containing the sample, the groove having a width of about 33 mm, a height of between about 6.5 mm and about 4.0 mm and being downwardly inclined, from an horizontal axis, of about 10°;
- and
- (b) casting the molten composite so as to form the cast composite material.
24-41. (canceled)
43-46. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.