European Space Agency

British Ceramic Research Limited

Ceram Research Limited

Nicholas John Elsworth Adkins

Wayne Eric Voice

David John Jarvis

Stephen Michael Andrew Sillitto

George Paul Yiasemides

Hany Salamam Sayed Ali Hassanin

George Yiasemides

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a ceramic article () from a metal or metal matrix composite preform () provided by 3D-printing or by 3D-weaving. The preform () is placed in a heating chamber (), and a predetermined time-temperature profile is applied in order to controllably react the preform () with a gas introduced into the heating chamber (). The metal, the gas and the time-temperature profile are chosen so as to induce a metal-gas reaction resulting in at least a part of the preform () transforming into a ceramic. Preferred embodiments of the invention comprises a first oxidation stage involving a metal-gas reaction in order to form a supporting oxide layer () at the surface of the metal, followed by a second stage in which the heating chamber () is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the metal to increase the kinetics of the chemical reaction. The invention also relates to a number of advantageous uses of a ceramic article manufactured as described.

Manufacturing of a ceramic article from a metal preform or metal matrix composite preform provided by 3D-printing or 3D-weaving

Systems and methods, comprising a directed heat source coupled to a multi-wire feed-head configured to feed one or more wires having diverse compositions into a heat affected region, are provided for the synthesis of alloy samples having defined compositions, combinatorial alloy sample series and libraries, and shaped alloy components.

Multi-wire feeder method and system for alloy sample formation and additive manufacturing

A method of producing a Raney type catalyst, the method comprising melting together a Raney metal and aluminium to form an alloy mixture, pouring the mixture through a nozzle, directing a gas jet on to the mixture to form a spray of droplets, which droplets are directed on to a metallic substrate, the substrate material and thickness and latent heat and superheat of the sprayed material upon initial contact with the substrate being such that the temperature is sufficiently high for an exothermic reaction to take place between the alloy mixture and the substrate such that intermetallic bonds are formed therebetween, and subsequently chemically removing at least some of the aluminium from the sprayed material.

Raney catalyst preparation by gas atomization of molten alloy

A method of forming an electrode is characterized in that the method comprising forming a porous coating of an alloy by gas atomisation on a substrate. The porosity of the coating is provided by controlling one or more conditions selected from the group consisting of the height and duration of deposition of the spray onto the substrate, the rate deposition, the speed of the atomized particles impacting on the substrate size distribution of the spray droplets, the temperature above melting, the substrate temperature, the substrate thermal conductivity, the conductivity of the gas, and the temperature of the gas.

Growing community of inventors

Nantwich, United Kingdom

Nicholas John Elsworth Adkins