Rapid solidification of metal-second phase composites
AssigneeMartin Marietta Corporation
InventorsJohn M. Brupbacher, Leontios Christodoulou, Dennis C. Nagle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates to a process for making in-situ precipitated second phase in a metal matrix which mixture is rapidly solidified to form a product. The invention also relates to a rapidly solidified product.
Claims68
A method for the production of metalsecond phase composition materials containing a second phase, said method comprising precipitating at least one second phase material in a metal matrix by contacting reactive second phase forming constituents, in the presence of a substantially non-reactive solvent matrix metal in which the second phase forming constituents are more soluble that the second phase, at a temperature at which sufficient diffusion of said constituents into the solvent matrix metal occurs, to cause reaction of the reactive second phase forming constituents to increase the temperature to a temperature exceeding the melting temperature of the matrix metal, to precipitate the second phase in the solvent matrix metal, rapidly quenching the metal-second phase composite material at a rate in the range of approximately 10.sup.4 .degree. C. per second to 10.sup.8 .degree. C. per second and recovering a rapidly solidified metal-second phase composite material.
A method for precipitation of a second phase in a metallic matrix, the method comprising steps of:
- (a) preparing a mixture of reactive second phase forming constituents and a substantially nonreactive solvent matrix metal in which the second phase forming constituents are more soluble than the second phase;
- (b) heating the mixture to a reaction initiation temperature approximating the melting point of the solvent matrix metal to initiate an exothermic reaction;
- (c) permitting the exothermic reaction to further heat the mixture consuming the second phase forming constituents, and to form a uniform distribution of second phase particles;
- (d) rapidly quenching the mixture at a rate in the range of approximately 10.sup.4 .degree. C. per second to 10.sup.8 .degree. C. per second;
- and
- (e) recovering a rapidly solidified product.
A method for dispersion of second phase dispersoids in a metal matrix, the method comprising forming a reaction mixture of reactive second phase forming constituents in the presence of at least two metals, at least one of which acts as a solvent metal, in which second phase forming constituents are more soluble than the second phase dispersoids, raising the temperature of the reaction mixture to a temperature at which sufficient diffusion of the second phase forming constituents into the lowest melting solvent metal occurs to initiate a reaction of the constituents, whereby the exothermic heat of reaction of the constituents causes the temperature of the reaction mixture to exceed the melting point of the higher melting point metal permitting dispersion of the second phase dispersoid in an alloy thereof, rapidly quenching the mixture at a rate in the range approximately 10.sup.4 .degree. C. per second to 10.sup.8 .degree. C. per second and recovering a rapidly solidified product.
A method for dispersion of second phase dispersoids in a metal matrix, the method comprising forming a reaction mixture of reactive second phase forming constituents in the presence of at least two metals, at least one of which acts as a solvent metal, in which second phase forming constituents are more soluble than the second phase dispersoids, raising the temperature of the reaction mixture to a temperature at which sufficient diffusion of the second phase forming constituents into the lowest melting solvent metal occurs to initiate a reaction of the constituents, whereby the exothermic heat of reaction of the constituents causes the temperature of the reaction mixture to exceed the melting point of the lowest melting point metal permitting dispersion of the second phase dispersoid in a mixed metal matrix, rapidly quenching the mixture at a rate in the range approximately 10.sup.4 .degree. C. per second to 10.sup.8 .degree. C. per second and recovering a rapidly solidified product.
A method for the in-situ precipitation of at least one intermetallic material in a metallic matrix, comprising the steps of:
- (a) preparing a mixture of reactive intermetallic forming constituents and a nonreactive solvent matrix metal in which the intermetallic forming constituents are more soluble than the intermetallic material;
- (b) heating the mixture to a reaction initiation temperature approximating the melting point of the solvent matrix metal;
- (c) permitting the resultant exothermic reaction to raise the temperature of the mixture to a temperature exceeding the melting point of the matrix metal and to consume the intermetallic forming constituents;
- (d) rapidly quenching the mixture at a rate in the range approximately 10.sup.4 .degree. C. per second to 10.sup.8 .degree. C. per second;
- and
- (e) recovering a rapidly solidified product.
A method for the in-situ precipitation of at least one ceramic material in a metallic matrix, comprising the steps of:
- (a) preparing a mixture of reactive ceramic forming constituents and a non-reactive solvent matrix metal in which the ceramic forming constituents are more soluble than the ceramic material;
- (b) heating the mixture to a reaction initiation temperature approximating the melting point of the solvent matrix metal;
- (c) permitting the resultant exothermic reaction to raise the temperature of the mixture to a temperature exceeding the melting point of the matrix metal and to consume the ceramic forming constituents;
- (d) rapidly quenching the mixture at a rate in the range approximately 10.sup.4 .degree. C. per second to 10.sup.8 .degree. C. per second;
- and
- (e) recovering a rapidly solidified product.
A method for the in-situ precipitation of dispersoid particles of an intermetallic material and a ceramic material in a metal matrix, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) preparing a mixture of reactive intermetallic and ceramic forming constituents and a substantially non-reactive solvent matrix metal in which the intermetallic forming constituents and the ceramic forming constituents are more soluble than the intermetallic or the ceramic material respectively;
- (b) heating the mixture to a reaction initiation temperature approximating the melting point of the solvent matrix metal;
- (c) initiating an exothermic reaction to raise the temperature of the mixture to a temperature exceeding the melting point of the matrix metal and to consume the intermetallic forming constituents and the ceramic forming constituents;
- (d) rapidly quenching the mix at a rate in the range approximately 10.sup.4 .degree. C. per second to 10.sup.8 .degree. C. per second;
- and
- (e) recovering a rapidly solidified product.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.