US4372902A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Preparation of dense ceramics
Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
•
Filing: 1982-01-04
•
Granted: 1983-02-08
•
Expires: 2002-01-04
Abstract
Abstract The invention is concerned with preparation of dense ceramics, in particular silicon carbide. Silicon carbide is a useful structural material but difficulties of densifying by sintering have in the past created problems in the production of silicon carbide components. It is however known to use boron and carbon as additives to assist densification by sintering. In this invention a further improvement in densification is effected by carrying out such sintering in a carbon-containing reducing atmosphere such as a methane containing atmosphere. Surface silica which inhibits densification is thereby removed but without removing fine carbon.
Inventors
- 👤 Ivor E. Denton
- 👤 John W. Henney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:16
CPC Classifications
C; C04; C04B; C04B35/00; C04B35/622; C04B35/64; C04B35/515; C04B35/56; C04B35/565
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
In a method of preparing a dense silicon carbide body by forming into a green body a mixture comprising silicon carbide powder having a surface area in the range from 3 m 2 /g to 14 m 2 /g and additionally a boron containing material and a carbonaceous material, and sintering the green body to produce the dense silicon carbide body, the improvement wherein the sintering is carried out in a methane-containing atmosphere, methane constituting less than 30% by volume of said atmosphere.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a method of preparing a dense silicon carbide body by forming into a green body a mixture comprising silicon carbide powder having a surface area in the range from 3 m 2 /g to 14 m 2 /g and additionally a boron containing material and a carbonaceous material, and sintering the green body to produce the dense silicon carbide body, the improvement wherein the sintering is carried out in a methane-containing atmosphere, methane constituting less than 30% by volume of said atmosphere.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein methane constitutes from 5% to 20% by volume of the atmosphere.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the silicon carbide powder has a surface area in the range from 7 m 2 /g to 14 m 2 /g.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the sintering is carried out at a temperature below 2200° C.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
61 words
A method according to claiam 1, wherein the boron containing material is present in proportions in the range 0.3% to 10% by weight expressed as elemental boron, based on the weight of silicon carbide and the carbonaceous material is present in proportions in the range 1% to 15% by weight expressed as elemental carbon based on the weight of silicon carbide.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
61 words
A method according to claiam 1, wherein the boron containing material is present in proportions in the range 0.3% to 10% by weight expressed as elemental boron, based on the weight of silicon carbide and the carbonaceous material is present in proportions in the range 1% to 15% by weight expressed as elemental carbon based on the weight of silicon carbide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2784112A
Cited
US2897572A
Cited
US3407090A
Cited
GB1478898A
Cited
US4124667A
Cited
US4224073A
Cited
US4209474A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-02-07 | 1986-08-09 | 1987-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-07 | 1990-08-09 | 1991-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-07 | 1994-08-09 | 1995-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |