Composite articles, wear plates and methods
AssigneeRel, Inc.
InventorsAdam R. Loukus, Josh E. Loukus, Steven C. Dupay
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A metal matrix composite article is described that includes a metal component, a ceramic component, and a lubricious component. The metal matrix composite article has a first surface and a second surface. The lubricious component is present in an amount that is highest at the first surface and is lowest at the second surface. The ceramic component is present in an amount that is highest at the first surface and is lowest at the second surface. The metal component is present in an amount that is highest at the second surface and is lowest at the first surface. In some cases, the metal matrix composite article is a wear plate for a fifth wheel hitch.
Claims7
A method of making a fifth wheel hitch with a wear plate, comprising the steps of:
- providing a slurry including a ceramic component and a lubricious component;
- depositing the slurry into a first mold;
- forming a preform, wherein the ceramic component and the lubricious component have a specified density gradient in a flow direction;
- removing the preform from the first mold;
- depositing the preform into a second mold, the second mold being shaped as a wear plate;
- depositing a metal component into the second mold, wherein the ceramic component, the lubricious component and the metal component form the wear plate;
- removing the wear plate from the second mold;
- mechanically securing the wear plate to a fifth wheel hitch bearing plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.