Other

Robert Mehrabian

Bhaskar V Velamakanni

Frederick F Lange

Anthony G Evans

David C Lam

The present invention relates to processes to produce ceramic reinforced and ceramic-metal matrix composite articles. More specifically, the invention concerns the use of pressure filtration to infiltrate a reinforcing organic or inorganic network with ceramic particles. Centrifugation is also used to separate the liquid form the slurry. After heating the reinforced ceramic article is produced. Pressure filtration is also used to infiltrate an organic polymer or organic fiber network with ceramic particles. The solvent is removed carefully followed by intermediate heating to remove the organic network without deforming the preform shape. After densification, the preform is heated and contacted with molten metal (optionally) with pressure to infiltrate the open channel network. Upon cooling the ceramic metal matrix composite is obtained. The reinforced matrix articles are useful in high temperature and high stress applications, e.g., combustion chambers, space applications, ceramics for bathroom fixture use, and the like. A significant advantage of this process is its ability to manipulate the architecture as well as the amount of metal reinforcement in the composite as per specifications. Moreover, one can choose different metal-ceramic reinforcements as per the processing needs.

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Santa Ynez, CA, United States of America

Robert Mehrabian