A method of modifying ceramic composite bodies by a carburization process and articles produced thereby.

摘要

The present invention relates to a novel method of manufacturing a composite body (3), such as a ZrB2-ZrC-Zr composite body, by utilizing a carburization technique. Moreover. the invention relates to novel products made according to the process. The novel process modifies the residual parent metal which remains in a composite body (3), by exposing said residual metal to a carburizing environment. Thus, by modifying the composition of residual parent metal, the properties of the resultant composite body (3) can also be modified. Parent metals such as zirconium, titanium and hafnium are well suited to be treated by the carburizing process according to the present invention.