A METHOD FOR FORMING METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE BODIES CONTAINING THREE-DIMENSIONALLY INTERCONNECTED CO-MATRICES AND PRODUCTS PRODUCED THEREBY

摘要

The present invention relates to the formation of a metal matrix composite body by the spontaneous infiltration of a molten matrix metal (6) into a three-dimensionally interconnected material (8) Moreover, the three-dimensionally interconnected material (8) may contain filler material within at least a portion of its porosity. Particularly, an infiltration enhancer and/or an infiltration enhancer precursor and/or an infiltrating atmosphere are in communication with a filler material and/or a three-dimensionally interconnected material(8) and/or a matrix metal at least at some point during the process, which permits molten matrix metal(6) to spontaneously infiltrate the three-dimensionally interconnected material (8) and any filler material contained within at least a portion of the porosity of the three-dimensionally interconnected material.