PRODUCTION OF INGOTS FOR MICROCOMPOSITE MANUFACTURE BY PLASMA MELTING

摘要

Ingots from the manufacture of deformation processed composites are formed by high energy melting of interspersed metal components at high input pressure, and high rate resolidification, to produce a dispersed structure containing fine particles (1-10 microns in diameter) of one component in a matrix of the other(s). D.C. transferred arc (20) plasma melting is used for the high energy melting and superheating of a feed stock billet (10) and of an ingot melt zone (72). Electromagnetic stirring is used in homogenization of the melt. The composite can be deformed mechanically to reduce particle thickness and elongate the particles and strengthen the composite as a whole.