Metal matrix composite piston head and method of fabrication
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorDavid M. Bullat
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Abstract
An aluminum torpedo piston is provided with a piston head fabricated from a etal matrix composite material composed of aluminum and silicon carbide fibers that are integrally joined by an inertial welding technique. A 23% weight of silicon carbide fibers to powdered aluminum was selected. Resistance to intense heating which would otherwise cause melting and erosion of the piston is avoided to permit longer, high speed runs.
Claims4
In a torpedo having hot working gases therein displacing at least one reciprocating aluminum piston, an improvement thereof is provided comprising:
- a metal matrix composite piston head inertially welded onto the aluminum piston, the piston head having an aluminum-silicon carbide fiber composition.
A method of improving the heat resistance and life expectancy of an aluminum piston comprising:
- mixing a metal matrix composite of silicon carbide fibers to powdered aluminum;
- press-forming the mixed metal matrix composite to a piston head billet form having diameter at least the same as the aluminum piston;
- and
- impact welding the metal matrix composite piston head onto the aluminum piston.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.