Low volume fraction metal matrix preforms fabrication comprises mixing reinforcement with sacrificial fillers, binder and liquid, curing resulting moldable slurry and firing

摘要

Low volume fraction preform fabrication for a metal matrix composite comprises: mixing reinforcement with sacrificial fillers, binder and liquid to form a slurry, curing the slurry in a mold and firing the resulting green preform. The green preform is fired in a furnace controlled to provide a preform under combinations of time and temperature in a continuous sequence. The sequence comprises: (a) heating at 50 - 210 deg C at 30 deg C/hour, then holding for 30 minutes; (b) heating to 260 deg C at 20 deg C/hour then holding for 60 minutes; (c) heating to 500 deg C at 20 deg C/hour and holding for 30 minutes; (d) heating to 560 deg C at 10 deg C/hour and holding for 30 minutes; (e) heating to 1100 deg C at 100 deg C/hour then holding for four hours; and (f) cooling slowly at ambient temperature.