Aluminum nitride refractory materials and methods for making the same
AssigneeLanxide Technology Company, LP
InventorsJack A. Kuszyk, John P. Biel, Jr.
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Abstract
The present invention broadly relates to novel aluminum nitride matrix ceramic composite bodies for use as refractory materials and methods for making the same. The refractory materials are useful in environments which are corrosive, erosive, abrasive and/or which generate thermal shock. Such environments include furnaces, and associated apparatus which house or contact molten masses including, for example, molten metals, molten glasses, etc. The preferred method for making the aluminum nitride matrix ceramic composites comprises a directed oxidation of molten metal.
Claims15
An article comprising at least one refractory ceramic composite body for handling molten fluids, said article selected from the group consisting of a furnace lining, a slide gate, a subentry nozzle, a ladle shroud and a tundish, and wherein said refractory ceramic composite body comprises:
- from about 20 vol. % to about 70 vol. % of a filler material comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide and titanium diboride;
- and
- an aluminum nitride matrix embedding at least a portion of said filler material.
A method for controlling the gravity flow of a molten fluid from a chamber, comprising:
- interposing a slide gate system beneath said chamber, said slide gate system comprising at least one refractory ceramic composite body which defines at least one aperture therethrough, at least one of said at least one refractory ceramic composite body comprising (1) from about 20 vol. % to about 70 vol. % of a filler material comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide and titanium diboride;
- and (2) an aluminum nitride matrix embedding at least a portion of said filler material;
- and
- controllably moving said at least one ceramic composite body so as to move said aperture into a position of alignment or misalignment with another aperture in said chamber, through which said another aperture said molten fluid is intended to flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.