US 5,294,264 AGranted

Method of nitriding refractory metal articles

AssigneeMartin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.

InventorsTerry N. Tiegs, Cressie E. Holcombe, Norman L. Dykes, Ogbemi O. Omatete, Albert C. Young

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Abstract

A method of nitriding a refractory-nitride forming metal or metalloid articles and composite articles. A consolidated metal or metalloid article or composite is placed inside a microwave oven and nitrogen containing gas is introduced into the microwave oven. The metal or metalloid article or composite is heated to a temperature sufficient to react the metal or metalloid with the nitrogen by applying a microwave energy within the microwave oven. The metal or metalloid article or composite is maintained at that temperature for a period of time sufficient to convert the article of metal or metalloid or composite to an article or composite of refractory nitride. In addition, a method of applying a coating, such as a coating of an oxide, a carbide, or a carbo-nitride, to an article of metal or metalloid by microwave heating.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method of nitriding a composite article of refractory-nitride-forming metal or metalloid and a reinforcing material comprising the following steps:

Step 1) providing a composite article of metal or metalloid containing a reinforcing material being intimately enwrapped with a ceramic aggregate of granular material within a microwave oven;
Step 2) introducing a nitrogen containing atmosphere within said microwave oven;
Step 3) heating said composite article in a nitrogen containing atmosphere within said microwave oven to a temperature sufficient to react with said metal or metalloid of said composite article with said nitrogen by applying a microwave energy within said microwave oven;
and
Step 4) maintaining said composite article at said temperature for a period of time sufficient to convert said metal or metalloid of said composite article to a composite article of refractory nitride.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.