| 摘要 |
A method for making multi-channel structures suitable for use as filters, catalyst carriers or the like. A composite rod (11) comprising an outer shell (12) and an inner core (13) is formed of respective mixtures of powders. The mixture for the outer shell comprises a sinterable powdered structural material such as ceramics, metals, intermetallics, and a powdered binder. The inner core comprises a powdered channel-forming filler material that can differentially be removed from the structural material of the shell. The composite rod (11) may be deformed, as by extrusion, to reduce its diameter. A bundle (14) of composite rods (11A) is assembled and deformed, as by extrusion, to reduce the diameter of the bundle (14) and of its component composite rods. Further bundles (17) of the reduced diameter bundles (14A) of composite rods may be likewise deformed by extrusion to reduce further the diameter of the component composite rods of the successive bundles, thereby also increasing the number of such rods per given cross section area of the bundle. The final assembly of bundles (17A) is consolidated and the binder is removed, as by heating, followed by removal of the inner cores of the composite rods of the assembly of bundles and sintering of the remaining structure of ceramic or metal, as the case may be. In certain embodiments, the material of the inner core may be removed by heating it in the course of heating the structure to perform the sintering step. In other embodiments, the binder and/or filler material may be removed by means of a suitable solvent. |
