Method of producing particulate-reinforced composites and composites produced thereby

摘要

A process for producing particle-reinforced composite materials through utilization of an in situ reaction to produce a uniform dispersion of a fine particulate reinforcement phase. The process includes forming a melt of a first material, and then introducing particles of a second material into the melt and subjecting the melt to high-intensity acoustic vibration. A chemical reaction initiates between the first and second materials to produce reaction products in the melt. The reaction products comprise a solid particulate phase, and the high-intensity acoustic vibration fragments and/or separates the reaction products into solid particles that are dispersed in the melt and are smaller than the particles of the second material. Also encompassed are particle-reinforced composite materials produced by such a process.

主权项

1. A particulate-reinforced composite material produced by a process comprising:
forming a melt of a first material; introducing particles of a second material into the melt and subjecting the melt to high-intensity acoustic vibration, wherein the particles of the second material have a melting temperature that is higher than the temperature of the melt, wherein a chemical reaction initiates between the first and second materials that produces reaction products in the melt, the reaction products comprising a solid particulate phase in the melt, the high-intensity acoustic vibration fragmenting and/or separating the reaction products into solid particles that are dispersed in the melt and are smaller than the particles of the second material, wherein the first material is aluminum or an aluminum-based alloy and the second material is titanium or a titanium-based alloy and the solid particulate phase and the solid particles formed therefrom comprise Al3Ti, wherein the solid particles are spherical or blocky in shape.