Preparation and properties of ceramic composites

摘要

This invention relates generally to a novel method of manufacturing a composite body. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for modifying the resultant properties of a composite body, by, for example, minimizing the amount of porosity present in the composite body. Additives such as TaG, ZrC, ZrB2, VC, NbC, WC, W2B5 and/or MoO2B5 can be combined with a boron carbide material (2) which is thereafter reactively infiltrated by a parent metal (3). The composite body comprises one or more boron-containing compounds (e.g., a boride or a boride and a carbide) which is made by the reactive infiltration of molten parent metal (3) into the boron carbide mass (2). Particular emphasis is placed upon modifying the properties of a ZrB2-ZrC-Zr composite body. However, the methods disclosed in the application are believed to be generic to a number of parent metals and preform materials.