BORON CARBIDE-COPPER CERMETS AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAME

摘要

Ceramic metal compositions are described that include a ceramic phase content of at least 60 percent by volume of said composition and a copper metal phase permeating the ceramic phase. The resulting composition is substantially fully densified, having a connected or isolated ceramic grain structure, preferably of fine B4C grains of less than 3 micrometers average diameter. The process of the invention includes, as a key element, contacting a porous article of ceramic phase with copper metal followed by heating to a temperature above that at which the copper metal melts and subjecting said article to pressure of at least 200 MPa, such that the porous body is filled with metal and the composition is substantially fully densified.