Process for the synthesis of nanophase dispersion-strengthened aluminum alloy
AssigneeSandia Corporation
InventorsJohn C. Barbour, James Arthur Knapp, David Martin Follstaedt, Samuel Maxwell Myers
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Abstract
A process for fabricating dispersion-strengthened ceramic-metal composites is claimed. The process comprises in-situ interaction and chemical reaction of a metal in gaseous form with a ceramic producer in plasma form. Such composites can be fabricated with macroscopic dimensions. Special emphasis is placed on fabrication of dispersion-strengthened aluminum oxide-aluminum composites, which can exhibit flow stresses more characteristic of high strength steel.
Claims15
A process for producing a ceramic-metallic composite comprising a dispersion of ceramic particulates in a metallic matrix, said dispersion serving to strengthen said metallic matrix, said process comprising:
- a) generating a gaseous flux of metal atoms less than ten meters from a growth surface;
- b) generating a flow of ceramic-forming plasma less than ten meters from a growth surface;
- c) maintaining the temperature of the growth surface at less than about 150.degree. C.;
- d) restricting the combined partial pressures of the gaseous flux of metal atoms and of the flow of ceramic-forming plasma to about 2 to 7.5.times.10.sup.-5 Torr within the reaction vessel;
- e) directing said gaseous flux of metal atoms and said flow of ceramic-forming plasma onto the growth surface;
- thereby depositing metal atoms to form solid metal on the growth surface and causing the growth of nanophase ceramic precipitates within the metal matrix.
A process for depositing on a growth surface a layer of ceramic-metallic composite comprising a dispersion of ceramic particulates in a metallic matrix, said dispersion serving to strengthen said composite relative to the intrinsic strength of the metallic matrix, said process comprising:
- a) controlling the temperature of the growth surface to be less than about 150.degree. C.;
- b) creating a first plasma through the action of a laser pulse on metallic ablation target, direction the first plasma onto the growth surface, whereupon a portion of the first plasma forms a solid component;
- then
- c) creating a second plasma through the action of a laser pulse on a ceramic ablation target, and directing the second plasma pulse onto the solid metal component;
- and
- thereby forming on the growth surface the layer of ceramic-metallic composite.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.