Method of forming and assembly of metal parts and ceramic parts
View Patent ↗A method of forming and assembling at least two parts together that may be metal, ceramic, or a combination of metal and ceramic parts. Such parts may have different CTE. Individual parts that are formed and sintered from particles leave a network of interconnecting porosity in each sintered part. The separate parts are assembled together and then a fill material is infiltrated into the assembled parts using a method such as capillary action, gravity, and/or pressure. The assembly is then cured to yield a bonded and fully or near-fully dense part that has the desired physical and mechanical properties for the part's intended purpose. Structural strength may be added to the parts by the inclusion of fibrous materials.
1. A method of forming and assembling at least two parts together, comprising the steps:
a. forming at least two separate parts in a manner that leaves a network of interconnecting porosity in each part wherein at least one part is selected from the group consisting of (1) a part made by spraying glue down and sprinkling metal powder into the glue, and (2) a powder metal part made by pressing and at least one part is selected from the group consisting of (1) a part made by spraying glue down and sprinkling metal powder into the glue, (2) a perforated metal part, and (3) a metal foam part;
b. sintering each part that is formed from spraying glue down and sprinkling metal powder into the glue and sintering each powder metal part formed from pressing such that each sintered part continues to maintain a network of interconnecting porosity;
c. assembling the sintered parts together;
d. causing a fill material to be infiltrated into the assembled parts to form an infiltrated assembly; and
e. curing the infiltrated assembly.
2. A method of forming and assembling at least two parts together, comprising the steps:
a. forming at least two parts from an alloy-proportionate quantity of elements that raise the eutectic melting point of the alloy in a manner that leaves a network of interconnecting porosity in each part;
b. sintering each formed part such that each of the sintered parts continues to maintain a network of interconnecting porosity;
c. assembling the sintered parts together; and
d. melting a fill material comprising an alloy-proportionate quantity of elements that lower the eutectic melting point of the alloy and causing the melted fill material to infiltrate into the assembled porous parts.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising placing a fiber reinforcing material between the sintered parts during the step of assembling the sintered parts and wherein step d. further comprises causing the melted fill material to infiltrate into the fiber reinforcing material.