Internal zone growth method for producing metal oxide metal eutectic composites
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorsGrady W. Clark, John D. Holder, Arvid E. Pasto
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Abstract
An improved method for preparing a cermet comprises preparing a compact having about 85 to 95 percent theoretical density from a mixture of metal and metal oxide powders from a system containing a eutectic composition, and inductively heating the compact in a radiofrequency field to cause the formation of an internal molten zone. The metal oxide particles in the powder mixture are effectively sized relative to the metal particles to permit direct inductive heating of the compact by radiofrequency from room temperature. Surface melting is prevented by external cooling or by effectively sizing the particles in the powder mixture.
Claims8
A method for preparing a cermet composite comprising the steps of
- (a) preparing a compact having about 85 to 95 percent theoretical density from a mixture of metal and metal oxide powders, said metal and metal oxide comprising a system containing a eutectic composition;
- and
- (b) inductively heating said compact in a radiofrequency field to cause the formation of an internal molten zone contained within an external solid skin of compact material, said metal oxide particles in said powder mixture being effectively sized relative to said metal particles to permit direct inductive heating of said compact by said radiofrequency from room temperature to form said internal molten zone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.