Continuous metal matrix composite casting
AssigneePCC Composites, Inc.
InventorArnold J. Cook
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for producing a continuous supply of low volume fraction composite material that can be fed continuously into one or more molds. Composite inputs are fed into a mixing device such that a continuous supply of mixed composite material is available from the output side of the mixing device. The operation removes the step of creating master ingots and removes the need for a two step process in which the material is melted twice. This invention reduces the cost of producing composite components, reduces batch-to-batch variations, and allows for a continuous production flow. In addition, the invention allows for a much greater flexibility in the selection and optimization of material systems.
Claims27
A method for continuous production of a composite components comprising the steps of:
- providing continuously desired amounts of reinforcement material and matrix material to a mixing device heated above the melting point of the matrix material;
- mixing reinforcement material into molten matrix material such that a composite material is formed having the reinforcement material uniformly dispersed therein;
- and
- feeding the composite material from the mixing device into a casting mold to produce a net shape composite component, where the desired amounts of reinforcement material and matrix material provided to the mixing device match the amount of the composite material fed into the casting mold from the mixing device.
A continuous composite casting system comprising:
- a providing mechanism for providing a continuous supply of liquid composite material;
- a casting device for forming the liquid composite material from the providing mechanism into a net-shape composite component, and
- a matching mechanism for matching amounts of reinforcement material and matrix material supplied into the providing mechanism with a desired amount of the composite material fed into the casting mold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.