Methods and composition for boride distribution in metal matrix composite

Abstract

A method for controlling a boride distribution in a metal matrix compost includes controlling a distribution of the boride particles are controlled during a solidification of a molten composite material. The controlling of the redistribution of the boride particles includes applying a heat to the composite material to form a molten composite material. The method includes, holding, by a mold ( 120, 715 ), the molten composite material. The method also includes focusing, by a reinforcement particle unit ( 100, 700 ), a location of the boride particles during a cooling of the molten composite material. The reinforcement particle unit could include a directed solidification unit ( 100 ). The reinforcement particle unit could also include centrifugal casting system ( 700 ). The arm includes a center mounting point ( 725 ).

1 . A method comprising:
 placing a molten composite material in a transfer scoop of a centrifugal casting unit, the transfer scoop configured to hold the molten composite material; and   redistributing, by the centrifugal casting unit, reinforcement particles during a solidification of the molten composite material;   wherein the transfer scoop is disposed on an arm of the centrifugal casting unit, the arm rotatable about a mounting point; and   wherein redistributing the reinforcement particles comprises applying a centrifugal force to the molten composite material by rotating the arm about the mounting point.   
     
     
         2 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 focusing a distribution of the reinforcement particles by varying a rotational speed of the arm.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the transfer scoop comprises a crucible and a mold; and   the method further comprises preheating the crucible and the mold prior to receiving the molten composite material.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the molten composite material comprises an aluminum matrix composite. 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 forming a composite material comprising a specified percentage of boride particles; and   controlling a redistribution of the boride particles in the composite material during a solidification of a molten composite material;   wherein controlling the redistribution of the boride particles comprises:
 applying heat to the composite material to form the molten composite material; 
 holding, in a mold, the molten composite material; and 
 focusing, by a reinforcement particle unit, a location of the boride particles during a cooling of the molten composite material; 
   wherein the reinforcement particle unit comprises a centrifugal casting unit; and   wherein focusing the boride particles comprises:
 receiving, by a transfer scoop of the centrifugal casting unit, the molten composite material from the mold, the transfer scoop disposed on an arm of the centrifugal casting unit, the arm rotatable about a mounting point; and 
 applying a centrifugal force to the molten composite material by rotating the arm about the mounting point. 
   
     
     
         9 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein focusing the boride particles comprises:
 focusing a distribution of the boride particles by varying a rotational speed of the arm.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the transfer scoop comprises a crucible and a second mold; and   the method further comprises preheating the crucible and the second mold prior to receiving the molten composite material.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the molten composite material comprises an aluminum matrix composite. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 applying heat to a composite material to form a molten composite material;   holding the molten composite material in a mold during a solidification of the molten composite material; and   redistributing reinforcement particles during the solidification of the molten composite material, wherein redistributing the reinforcement particles comprises rotating the mold to apply a centrifugal force to the molten composite material.   
     
     
         16 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 rotating the mold comprises varying a rotational speed of the mold; and   a distribution of the reinforcement particles is focused by the rotational speed of the mold.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the molten composite material comprises an aluminum matrix composite. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the transfer scoop is disposed at a first end of the arm;   the centrifugal casting unit further comprises a counterweight disposed at a second end of the arm; and   the transfer scoop and the counterweight traverse circular paths around the mounting point.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the crucible is positioned between the mold and the mounting point;   the crucible comprises an opening configured to receive the molten composite material; and   the centrifugal force causes the molten composite material to fill the mold along a radial direction.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the arm is rotatably connected to a motor via the mounting point. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the transfer scoop is disposed at a first end of the arm;   the centrifugal casting unit further comprises a counterweight disposed at a second end of the arm; and   the transfer scoop and the counterweight traverse circular paths around the mounting point.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the crucible is positioned between the second mold and the mounting point;   the crucible comprises an opening configured to receive the molten composite material; and   the centrifugal force causes the molten composite material to fill the second mold along a radial direction.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the arm is rotatably connected to a motor via the mounting point. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the mold is disposed on an arm having a mounting point;   rotating the mold comprises using a counterweight disposed on the arm on an opposite side of the mounting point; and   the mold and the counterweight traverse circular paths around the mounting point.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the mold is disposed on an arm having a mounting point;   a crucible is positioned between the mold and the mounting point;   the crucible comprises an opening configured to receive the molten composite material; and   the centrifugal force causes the molten composite material to fill the mold along a radial direction.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 preheating the crucible and the mold prior to receiving the molten composite material.