RAPID INDUCTION MELTING OF METAL-MATRIX COMPOSITE MATERIALS

摘要

A composite material is rapidly melted by furnishing a pre-wetted composite material in the form of granules (20), placing the granules into an induction heater (34), and powering the induction heater to melt the metal matrix portion of the granules to form a molten mixture. High power inputs to the induction coil may be used, so that the granules are rapidly heated to their melting point and to temperatures above the melting point, from which the molten mixture may be cast. Because of the rapid heating, otherwise-reactive composite materials may be prepared by melting in air.