Method for modifying the properties of a freeform fabricated part
AssigneeUnited Technologies Corporation
InventorWayde R. Schmidt
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Abstract
The present invention is a process for modifying the properties of a porous freeform fabricated part by increasing its density and reducing its porosity. The porosity and density of a freeform fabricated part are altered by packing the pores in a freeform part with an infiltrant, such as a preceramic polymer. The process includes drawing a vacuum on or pressurizing the freeform part while it is in an infiltrant bath, thereby forcing the infiltrant into the pores of the freeform part. After removing the densified freeform part from the infiltrant bath, the freeform part is subjected to a treating process, such that the infiltrant within the pores transforms to a ceramic or ceramic-containing phase to thereby increasing the density of the freeform part.
Claims32
A process for modifying one or more properties of a porous freeform fabricated part, comprising the steps of:
- (a) depositing a porous freeform fabricated part in a bath comprising an infiltrant;
- (b) infiltrating the porous freeform fabricated part such that the infiltrant enters at least a portion of the pores resulting in a densified freeform-fabricated part;
- and
- (c) removing the densified freeform fabricated part from the bath.
A process for modifying one or more properties of a porous freeform fabricated part, comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing a porous freeform-fabricated part in a vacuum dessicator;
- (b) drawing a vacuum on the porous freeform fabricated part;
- and
- (c) introducing an infiltrant into the vacuum dessicator such that the infiltrant enters the pores within the porous freeform part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.