AN INVERSE SHAPE REPLICATION METHOD FOR FORMING METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE BODIES AND PRODUCTS PRODUCED THEREFROM

摘要

The present invention relates to the formation ofmetal matrix composite bodies by a spontaneousinfiltration technique, and novel metal matrix compositebodies produced according to the method. An ingot ofmatrix metal is surrounded by a permeable mass of fillermaterial. An infiltration enhancer and/or an infiltrationenhancer precursor and/or an infiltrating atmosphere arealso in communication with the filler material, at leastat some point during the process, which permit the shapedingot of matrix metal, when made molten, to spontaneouslyinfiltrate the surrounding permeable mass of fillermaterial. After the spontaneous infiltration, a metalmatrix composite body is produced having therein a cavitywhich substantially corresponds in shape to the originalingot of matrix metal.