摘要 |
The present invention relates to a novel method for forming metal matrix composite bodies. A permeable mass of filler material (1) is spontaneously infiltrated by a molten matrix metal (3). Particularly, an infiltration enhancer and/or an infiltration enhancer precursor and/or an infiltrating atmosphere are in communication with the filler material (1) at least at some point during the process, which permits molten matrix metal (3) to spontaneously infiltrate the filler material (1). After infiltration has been completed to a desired extent, additional matrix metal is added to that matrix metal (3) which has spontaneously infiltrated the filler material (1) to result in a suspension of filler material (1) and matrix metal (3), said suspension having a lower volume fraction of filler relative to matrix metal. The matrix metal (3) then can be permitted to cool in situ or the mixture of matrix metal and filler material can be poured into a second container as a casting process to form a desired shape which corresponds to the second container. However, the formed suspension, whether cast immediately after being formed or cooling and thereafter heating and casting, can be pour cast into a desired shape. |