Low thermal stress metal structures
AssigneePowdermet, Inc.
InventorsAndrew J. Sherman, Brian Werry
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A structured three-phase composite which include a metal phase, a ceramic phase, and a gas phase that are arranged to create a composite having low thermal conductivity, having controlled stiffness, and a CTE to reduce thermal stresses in the composite when exposed to cyclic thermal loads. The structured three-phase composite is useful for use in structures such as, but not limited to, heat shields, cryotanks, high speed engine ducts, exhaust-impinged structures, and high speed and reentry aeroshells.
Claims24
1-47. (canceled)
A method for forming a three-phase composite comprising:
- a. providing a ceramic material, at least a portion of said ceramic material includes a cavity;
- b. providing a metal material;
- and,
- c. consolidating said ceramic material with said metal material to form said composite;
- said composite includes a ceramic phase, a metal phase and a non-solid phase;
- and
- wherein said non-solid phase and said ceramic phase are discontinuous in said composite;
- said metal phase is continuous phase in said composite;
- said composite has two or more of a) a compression modulas that is less than a compression modulas of said metal that forms said metal phase, b) a thermal conductivity that is less than a thermal conductivity of said metal that forms said metal phase, and c) a density that is lower than a density of said metal that forms said metal phase.
A three or more phase composite which includes a ceramic phase, a non-solid phase, and a metal phase;
- said non-solid phase and said ceramic phase are segregated into isolated pockets forming a discontinuous phase in said composite;
- said metal phase is continuous phase in said composite;
- said composite has two or more of i) a compression modulus that is at least 25% less than a compression modulus of said metal forming said metal phase, ii) a thermal conductivity that is at least 40% less than a thermal conductivity of said metal that forms said metal phase, and iii) a density that is at least 20% lower than a density of said metal that forms said metal phase.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.