Process for manufacturing a part made of an ai/ai3b48c2 composite material

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a part made from an Al/Al 3 B 48 C 2 composite material comprising an aluminium matrix in which particles of a mixed carbide of chemical formula Al 3 B 48 C 2 are dispersed. The method comprises the following steps: a) placing a powder of chemical formula AlB 2 in the cavity of a graphite crucible; b) closing the cavity by use of a graphite element; c) heating the crucible to a temperature of at least 960° C. and less than or equal to 1400° C. in order to obtain the formation of precipitates of the mixed carbide of chemical formula Al 3 B 48 C 2 in liquid aluminium; d) cooling the crucible in order to solidify the liquid aluminium; e) removing the crucible; thereby the part made from Al/Al 3 B 48 C 2 composite material is obtained.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Method for manufacturing a part made from an Al/Al 3 B 48 C 2  composite material comprising an aluminium matrix in which particles of a mixed carbide of chemical formula Al 3 B 48 C 2  are dispersed, said method comprising the following steps:
 a) placing a powder of chemical formula AlB 2  in a cavity of a graphite crucible;   b) closing the cavity by means of a graphite element;   c) heating the crucible to a temperature of at least 960° C. and less than or equal to 1400° C. in order to obtain formation of precipitates of mixed carbide of chemical formula Al 3 B 48 C 2  in liquid aluminium;   d) cooling the crucible in order to solidify the liquid aluminium;   e) removing the crucible;   thereby the part made from Al/Al 3 B 48 C 2  composite material is obtained.   
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the graphite element used to close the cavity is a graphite piston. 
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the powder is placed in the crucible in a compressed form. 
     
     
         4 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the powder is placed in the crucible in a powdery form and step b) further comprises a compression of the powder. 
     
     
         5 . Method according to  claim 4 , wherein the compression of the powder and the closure of the cavity of the crucible are obtained by the use of a graphite piston. 
     
     
         6 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein, at step c), the crucible is heated to a temperature ranging from 1000° C. to 1400° C. for a period ranging from 5 minutes to 30 minutes. 
     
     
         7 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling at step d) comprises a temperature drop at a rate greater than or equal to 10° C./second until it reaches 600° C.