Loading patent…
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorsRobert P. Schaefer, David A. Rutz, Edward Lee, Edward J. Johnson
Estimating the term…
An abrasive material comprised of a metal matrix and evenly distributed ceramic particulates, is made by mixing powder metal with the ceramic powder and heating to a temperature sufficient to melt most, but not all of the powder. In this way the ceramic does not float to the top of the material, yet a dense material is obtained. A nickel superalloy matrix will have at least some remnants of the original powder metal structure, typically some equiaxed grains, along with a fine dendritic structure, thereby imparting desirable high temperature strength when the abrasive material is applied to the tips of blades of gas turbine engines. Preferred matrices have a relatively wide liquidus-solidus temperature range, contain a melting point depressant, and a reactive metal to promote adhesion to the ceramic.
The method of making an abrasive material comprised of evenly dispersed ceramic particulates surrounded by a fused matrix of metal having a density greater than the density of the ceramic material, characterized by mixing metal particulate with ceramic particulate, heating the mixture to a temperature sufficient to cause partial melting of the metal so that it fuses into a dense matrix when cooled, but insufficient to cause the ceramic particulate to substantially float in the metal matrix.
An abrasive material comprised of ceramic material particulate within a matrix of metal having a density greater than the density of the ceramic material, characterized by the ceramic particulate being evenly distributed in a dense fused matrix having at least some equiaxed grains in its metallurgical structure.
An abrasive material comprised of evenly dispersed ceramic material particulate surrounded by a fused matrix of metal having a density greater than the density of the ceramic material, characterized by being made by heating a mixture of metal particulate and ceramic particulate to a temperature sufficient to only partially melt the metal particulate, but insufficient to cause floating of the ceramic particulate within the metal matrix.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.