METHODS FOR ALLOYING A METAL-CONTAINING MATERIAL INTO A DENSIFIED CERAMIC OR CERMET BODY AND ALLOYED BODIES PRODUCED THEREBY

摘要

Place an alloying metal or an inorganic compound containing an alloying metal in contact with at least a portion of the exterior surface of a densified cermet or ceramic body and then heat the cermet body or the ceramic body to a temperature that allows alloying to occur. The temperature for the cermet body is close enough to the melting temperature of the metal portion of the cermet to allow alloying to occur. The temperature for the ceramic body is close enough for the body's glassy-phase component to soften and allow alloying to occur. The resultant alloyed bodies have a composition gradient that extends into the body perpendicular to the exterior surface portion if alloying stops prior to completion.