Surface densification of porous materials
AssigneeMcDonnell Douglas Corporation
InventorR. L. Martin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for producing a densified layer on the surface of a porous material having gas-containing voids which includes: (1) heating the outer surface of the porous material to cause localized removal of the gas contained in the voids so that the voids coalesce and form surface-connected channels, and (2) deforming the surface of the porous material to close the surface-connected channels so that a distinct, densified layer is formed at the surface of the porous material. The method is particularly applicable to the production of lightweight structural components.
Claims6
A solid-state method of producing a distinct, densified layer on the surface of a porous material having gas-containing voids, comprising the steps of:
- (a) heating the outer surface of said porous material to a temperature below its melting point but above a critical temperature to locally remove said gas contained in said voids, whereby said voids coalesce to form surface-connected channels;
- and
- (b) deforming said surface of said porous material to close said surface-connected channels.
A method of producing a distinct, densified layer on the surface of a porous material having gas-containing voids, comprising the steps of:
- (a) heating the outer surface of said porous material to a temperature below its melting point but above a critical temperature to locally remove said gas contained in said voids, whereby said voids coalesce to form surface-connected channels;
- and
- (b) deforming said surface of said porous material to close said surface-connected channels, wherein said deforming step is accomplished by grinding said surface of said porous material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.