Method for Making Lightweight Intermetallic-Bonded Composites In-Situ with Reactive Pressureless Infiltration

This invention aids in processing a material that cannot be made any other way because of limited dissolution meaning that liquid phase sintering does not work to achieve the same material. This invention also is much better than simply melting two metals during infiltration because the initial metal in the preform is highly multifunctional in natural providing higher green density, small amount of sintering, improved reactive infiltration, and phase control upon infiltration. It allows for a lightweight matrix of aluminide to form in-situ as a binder for a cermet with high, and controllable TiC content. This can be done with different aluminides and different amounts of reinforcement, carbide or refractory metal, for controlling the intermetallic phases present upon solidification. This implements lightweight composites in applications where strength to weight is a key engineering parameter and is not limited to pressed or free from construction of the reinforcement and initial metal preform.

---

---