US4753690A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for producing composite material having an aluminum alloy matrix with a silicon carbide reinforcement
Assignee: Alumax Inc
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Filing: 1986-08-13
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Granted: 1988-06-28
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Expires: 2006-08-13
Abstract
Abstract Reinforced composite aluminum-matrix articles containing up to 20%, by volume, silicon carbide fibers or particles, are produced by a casting process wherein about 4% to about 7%, by weight, of magnesium is included in the aluminum matrix alloy to facilitate wetting of the reinforcing material and ready dispersal thereof with the matrix alloy while the alloy is completely molten and thereafter hot working the composite at a temperature between the liquidus and solidus temperatures of the aluminum alloy matrix. The matrix is characterized by a microstructure wherein fine precipitates appear in the vicinity of SiC particles or fibers, and by high hardness and strength without further heat treatment.
Inventors
- 👤 Tsuguyasu Wada
- 👤 Daniel J. Adenis
- 👤 Thomas B. Cox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:53
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C49/00; C22C49/02; C22C49/04; C22C49/06; C22C47/00; C22C47/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12486
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
The method for producing a composite material having a matrix of aluminum-magnesium alloy and at least about 7% up to about 20%, by volume of a discontinuous phase from the group consisting of silicon carbide particles and silicon carbide fibers, and up to about 5%, by volume, of titanium carbide particles which comprises preparing a bath of aluminum alloy containing about 4% to about 7% magnesium, mixing said discontinuous phase material with said bath at a temperature above the liquidus temperature thereof for a time sufficient to provide substantially complete dispersion of said material throughout said bath and solidifying said bath while maintaining said dispersion to provide a solid composite having silicon carbide reinforcement throughout an aluminum alloy matrix, and thereafter hot working said composite at a temperature between the liquidus and solidus temperatures of said aluminum alloy matrix, said matrix being characterized by a microstructure wherein fine precipitates appear in the vicinity of SiC particles or fibers, and by high hardness and strength without further heat treatment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
168 words
The method for producing a composite material having a matrix of aluminum-magnesium alloy and at least about 7% up to about 20%, by volume of a discontinuous phase from the group consisting of silicon carbide particles and silicon carbide fibers, and up to about 5%, by volume, of titanium carbide particles which comprises preparing a bath of aluminum alloy containing about 4% to about 7% magnesium, mixing said discontinuous phase material with said bath at a temperature above the liquidus temperature thereof for a time sufficient to provide substantially complete dispersion of said material throughout said bath and solidifying said bath while maintaining said dispersion to provide a solid composite having silicon carbide reinforcement throughout an aluminum alloy matrix, and thereafter hot working said composite at a temperature between the liquidus and solidus temperatures of said aluminum alloy matrix, said matrix being characterized by a microstructure wherein fine precipitates appear in the vicinity of SiC particles or fibers, and by high hardness and strength without further heat treatment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the final step of said hot working is an extrusion or a hot-pressing step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said aluminum-magnesium alloy also contains up to about 4% copper, up to about 7% silicon, up to about 2% zinc, up to about 2% iron, and up to about 1% chromium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said particles have an average size of about 5 to about 100 microns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fibers have an average diameter of about 2 to about 200 microns and an average length of about 0.1 to about 3 millimeters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mixing is accomplished by stirring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bath is cast in a static mold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bath is solidified by continuous casting.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
101 words
A composite material having a matrix of aluminum alloy containing about 4% to about 7% magnesium and having about 7% to about 20% by volume, of reinforcing material from the group consisting of silicon carbide particles and silicon carbide fibers discontinuously and substantially uniformly distributed therethrough, said composite material being in the condition resulting from a final hot working operation at a temperature between the liquidus and solidus temperatures for the matrix alloy and being characterized by a microstructure wherein fine precipitates appear in the vicinity of SiC particles or fibers, and by high hardness and strength without further heat treatment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
101 words
A composite material having a matrix of aluminum alloy containing about 4% to about 7% magnesium and having about 7% to about 20% by volume, of reinforcing material from the group consisting of silicon carbide particles and silicon carbide fibers discontinuously and substantially uniformly distributed therethrough, said composite material being in the condition resulting from a final hot working operation at a temperature between the liquidus and solidus temperatures for the matrix alloy and being characterized by a microstructure wherein fine precipitates appear in the vicinity of SiC particles or fibers, and by high hardness and strength without further heat treatment.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-06-28 | 1991-12-28 | 1992-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-28 | 1995-12-28 | 1996-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-28 | 1999-12-28 | 2000-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |