Systems and Methods for Modifying Metal Feedstock Material
AssigneeCalifornia Institute of Technology
InventorsDouglas C. Hofmann, Punnathat Bordeenithikasem
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and alloying methods for forming metals are described. Waste materials from various industrial processes and botched master alloy production heats result in numerous byproducts that can form constituent components for the formation of bulk alloys with higher value and more diverse applications. Reusing and upcycling industrial byproducts into material with specific structure and properties result in additional commercial and industrial applications and value.
Claims30
A process for recycling metal waste material into an alloy comprising,
- providing a mongrel alloy that contains at least one contaminant wherein the at least one contaminant inhibits the formation of a selected structure with at least one selected property such that the addition of a percentage of uncontaminated mongrel alloy is insufficient for the formation of the selected structure,
- combining an optimized ratio of the mongrel alloy and a correction alloy in a melting process configured to form a target alloy,
- heating the mongrel alloy and the correction alloy until molten,
- combining the molten mongrel and correction alloys into a homogenous combination,
- solidifying the homogenous combination, wherein the solidified homogenous combination is of the selected structure and the at least one selected property.
A process for recycling waste material into bulk metallic glass alloy comprising,
- providing a predominantly crystalline mongrel alloy that is at least 50% by mass group four elements and contains O or C, inhibiting the formation of a predominantly amorphous structure,
- combining an optimized ratio of the mongrel alloy and a correction alloy in a furnace configured to form a target alloy, wherein the mongrel alloy equals or exceeds the mass of the correction alloy,
- heating the mongrel alloy and the correction alloy until molten,
- combining the molten mongrel and correction alloys into a homogenous combination,
- quenching the homogenous combination, wherein the quenched homogenous combination is predominantly amorphous.
A process for recycling waste material into bulk metallic glass alloy comprising,
- providing a predominantly crystalline alloy that is at least 50% by mass group four elements and contains a contaminant, inhibiting the formation of a predominantly amorphous structure,
- combining an optimized ratio of the predominantly crystalline alloy and a correction alloy in a furnace configured to form a target alloy, wherein the predominantly crystalline alloy equals or exceeds the mass of the correction alloy,
- heating the mongrel alloy and the correction alloy until molten,
- combining the molten predominantly crystalline alloy and correction alloys into a homogenous combination,
- quenching the homogenous combination, wherein the quenched homogenous combination is predominantly amorphous.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.