Patent US5238045A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5238045A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of surface bonding materials together by use of a metal matrix composite, and products produced thereby
Assignee: Lanxide Technology Co LP
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Filing: 1991-04-01
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Granted: 1993-08-24
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Expires: 2011-04-01
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to forming a metal matrix composite between at least two bodies having a similar or a different chemical composition, the metal matrix composite functioning as a bonding means which bond to or fixes the bodies together. Particularly, a metal matrix composite is produced by a spontaneous infiltration technique by providing a filler material or preform with an infiltration enhancer and/or an infiltration enhancer precursor and/or and infiltrating atmosphere, which are in communication with the filler material or preform at least at some point during the process. Molten matrix metal then spontaneously infiltrates the filler material or preform, whereby the metal matrix composite serves to bond together two or more bodies.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene S. Park
- 👤 Michael K. Aghajanian
- 👤 Christopher R. Kennedy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:20
CPC Classifications
C; C04; C04B; C04B37/00; C04B37/02; C04B37/023; C04B37/025; C04B37/003; C04B37/005; C04B37/006; C04B37/026; C04B2235/00; C04B2235/02; C04B2235/50; C04B2235/52; C04B2235/5208; C04B2235/5216; C04B2235/524; C04B2235/5248; C04B2235/65; C04B2235/656; C04B2235/6567; C04B2235/658; C04B2237/00; C04B2237/02; C04B2237/04; C04B2237/06; C04B2237/064; C04B2237/08; C04B2237/083; C04B2237/09; C04B2237/12; C04B2237/121; C04B2237/126; C04B2237/127; C04B2237/128; C04B2237/30; C04B2237/32; C04B2237/34; C04B2237/343; C04B2237/50; C04B2237/52; C04B2237/525; C04B2237/59; C04B2237/592; C04B2237/597; C04B2237/70; C04B2237/708; C04B2237/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for bonding a plurality of bodies together, comprising: providing a substantially nonreactive filler between at least a portion of at least two bodies which are to be bonded; providing a source of matrix metal in contact with at least a portion of said nonreactive filler; providing a material comprising an infiltration enhancer precursor to at least one of the matrix metal and the filler; providing an infiltrating atmosphere to be in communication with at least one of the matrix metal and the filler for at least a portion of the process; spontaneously infiltrating at least a portion of the filler with molten matrix metal to form a metal matrix composite between said at least two bodies; and cooling said molten matrix metal, thereby bonding said at least two bodies together.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for bonding a plurality of bodies together, comprising: providing a substantially nonreactive filler between at least a portion of at least two bodies which are to be bonded; providing a source of matrix metal in contact with at least a portion of said nonreactive filler; providing a material comprising an infiltration enhancer precursor to at least one of the matrix metal and the filler; providing an infiltrating atmosphere to be in communication with at least one of the matrix metal and the filler for at least a portion of the process; spontaneously infiltrating at least a portion of the filler with molten matrix metal to form a metal matrix composite between said at least two bodies; and cooling said molten matrix metal, thereby bonding said at least two bodies together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said filler comprises a preform of filler.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said infiltrating atmosphere is in communication with at least a portion of said filler for substantially all of the process.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein during infiltration, the infiltration enhancer precursor volatilizes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the infiltration enhancer precursor comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of magnesium and zinc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix metal comprises aluminum, the infiltration enhancer precursor comprises magnesium and the infiltrating atmosphere comprises nitrogen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6, wherein an infiltration enhancer comprising a nitride of magnesium is formed in at least a portion of the filler.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the infiltration enhancer precursor comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of magnesium, strontium and calcium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix metal comprises aluminum and the filler comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of oxides, carbides, borides and nitrides.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said metal matrix composite is tailored to have a coefficient of thermal expansion which is intermediate to coefficients of thermal expansion of said at least two bodies to be bonded.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix meal comprises aluminum, the infiltration enhancer precursor comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of strontium and calcium and the infiltrating atmosphere comprises nitrogen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix metal comprises aluminum, the infiltration enhancer precursor comprises zinc and the infiltrating atmosphere comprises oxygen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the filler comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of powders, flakes, platelets, microspheres, whiskers, bubbles, fibers, particulates, fiber mats, chopped fibers, spheres, pellets, tubules and refractory cloths.
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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) | 1996-08-23 | 1997-02-22 | 1997-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-23 | 2001-02-22 | 2001-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-23 | 2005-02-22 | 2005-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |