US4915736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of modifying ceramic composite bodies by carburization process and articles produced thereby
Assignee: Lanxide Technology Co LP
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Filing: 1987-12-23
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Granted: 1990-04-10
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Expires: 2007-12-23
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a novel method of manufacturing a composite body, such as a ZrB 2 -ZrC-Zr composite body, by utilizing a carburization technique. Moreover, the invention relates to novel products made according to the process. The novel process modifies the residual parent metal which remains in a composite body, by exposing said residual metal to a carburizing environment. Thus, by modifying the composition of residual parent metal, the properties of the resultant composite body can also be modified. Parent metals such as zirconium, titanium, and hafnium are well suited to be treated by the carburizing process according to the present invention.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry D. Claar
- 👤 Gerhard H. Schiroky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:53
CPC Classifications
C; C04; C04B; C04B35/00; C04B35/71; C04B35/74; C04B41/00; C04B41/009; C04B35/622; C04B35/64; C04B35/65; C04B35/652; C04B41/45; C04B41/50; C04B41/5053; C04B41/5062; C04B41/80; C04B41/81; C04B41/85; C04B41/87; C22; C22C; C22C29/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of producing a self-supporting body comprising producing a first composite body by: selecting a parent metal; heating said parent metal in a substantially inert atmosphere to a temperature above its melting point to form a body of molten metal and contacting said body of molten parent metal with a mass comprising boron carbide; maintaining said temperature for a time sufficient to permit infiltration of molten parent metal into said mass and to permit reaction of molten parent metal with said boron carbide to form at least one boron-containing compound; continuing said infiltration reaction for a time sufficient to produce said self-supporting body comprising at least one parent metal boron-containing compound; and subjecting said self-supporting body to a carburizing environment, thereby converting residual parent metal in the self-supporting body into a parent metal-carbide component.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of producing a self-supporting body comprising producing a first composite body by: selecting a parent metal; heating said parent metal in a substantially inert atmosphere to a temperature above its melting point to form a body of molten metal and contacting said body of molten parent metal with a mass comprising boron carbide; maintaining said temperature for a time sufficient to permit infiltration of molten parent metal into said mass and to permit reaction of molten parent metal with said boron carbide to form at least one boron-containing compound; continuing said infiltration reaction for a time sufficient to produce said self-supporting body comprising at least one parent metal boron-containing compound; and subjecting said self-supporting body to a carburizing environment, thereby converting residual parent metal in the self-supporting body into a parent metal-carbide component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the self-supporting body is buried in a graphite powder, and argon gas is contacted with said powder and said self-supporting body, thereby producing a carburizing species at an elevated temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein a carburizing gas selected from the group consisting of CO/CO 2 and H 2 /CH 4 is contacted with said self-supporting body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said carburizing occurs at a temperature of from about 1500-2200° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said carburizing occurs for a period of time of about 5-48 hours.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said carburizing occurs at a temperature of about 1500-2200° C. for a period of time of about 5-48 hours.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
A composite material comprising a metal phase selected from the group consisting of zirconium, titanium, and hafnium, and present in an amount of about 0.5-2% by volume, and a three-dimensionally interconnected ceramic phase extending to boundaries of said composite material, said ceramic phase comprising a carbide selected from the group consisting of a carbide of zirconium, a carbide of titanium, and a carbide of hafnium, and further comprising a boride of a metal corresponding to said carbide, said boride having a platelet-like structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
A composite material comprising a metal phase selected from the group consisting of zirconium, titanium, and hafnium, and present in an amount of about 0.5-2% by volume, and a three-dimensionally interconnected ceramic phase extending to boundaries of said composite material, said ceramic phase comprising a carbide selected from the group consisting of a carbide of zirconium, a carbide of titanium, and a carbide of hafnium, and further comprising a boride of a metal corresponding to said carbide, said boride having a platelet-like structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composite of claim 7, wherein said metal phase is zirconium, said carbide is a carbide of zirconium, and said boride is a boride of zirconium.
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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) | 1993-04-09 | 1993-10-09 | 1994-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-09 | 1997-10-09 | 1998-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-09 | 2001-10-09 | 2002-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |