Method for forming an object
AssigneeLoughborough University
InventorsMichael Thomas Furlong, Neil Hopkinson, Kamran Aamir Mumtaz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for forming an object, including providing at least a first material having a melting point at a first temperature and a second material having a melting point at a second temperature; heating at least a portion of the first and second materials above the first and second temperatures to form a substantially molten alloy, the molten alloy having a solidifying point at a third temperature, the third temperature being less than the first temperature and the second temperature; and providing substantially solid further material to at least a portion of the molten alloy, the further material having a melting point at a temperature greater than the third temperature.
Claims16
A method for forming an object, comprising the steps of:
- first, providing at least a first material having a melting point at a first temperature and a second material having a melting point at a second temperature;
- second, heating a portion of the first and second materials above the first and second temperatures to form a substantially molten alloy, the molten alloy having a solidifying point at a third temperature, the third temperature being less than the first and second temperatures;
- third, cooling the molten alloy without solidification to temperature less than said first and second temperatures;
- fourth, providing, in a solid state, further material to contact at least a portion of the cooled molten alloy, the further material having a melting point at a temperature greater than the third temperature;
- and
- cooling and solidifying said molten alloy to form said object.
A method for forming an object, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing first substantially solid material, said substantially solid material comprising at least a first material and a second material, said first material having a first melting temperature and said second material having a second melting temperature;
- b) heating a portion of said first substantially solid material above the first and second melting temperatures to form a first portion of substantially molten alloy, said alloy having a solidifying temperature less than said first and second melting temperatures;
- c) cooling said portion below said first and second temperatures;
- d) retaining in a molten state said portion of molten alloy at a temperature below said first and second temperatures within confines defined by a remaining portion of said first solid material;
- e) providing further substantially solid material in contact with said first substantially solid material and said portion of molten alloy, said further substantially solid material comprising at least said first and second materials;
- f) heating a portion of said further solid material above the first and second melting temperatures to form a further portion of substantially molten alloy at least partially in contact with said first portion of molten alloy;
- g) cooling said further portion below said first and second temperatures;
- h) retaining in a molten state at a temperature below said first and second temperatures said first portion and said further portion of molten alloy within confines defined by said remaining portion and a remaining portion of said further solid material;
- and
- i) cooling said molten alloy below said solidifying temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.