Method of making a functionally graded material

Patent · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 2001

OSTI ID:874364

Lauf, Robert J ^[1]; Menchhofer, Paul A ^[2]; Walls, Claudia A ^[1]; Moorhead, Arthur J ^[3]

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1. Oak Ridge, TN
2. Clinton, TN
3. Knoxville, TN

A gelcasting method of making an internally graded article alternatively includes the steps of: preparing a slurry including a least two different phases suspended in a gelcasting solution, the phases characterized by having different settling characteristics; casting the slurry into a mold having a selected shape; allowing the slurry to stand for a sufficient period of time to permit desired gravitational fractionation in order to achieve a vertical compositional gradient in the molded slurry; gelling the slurry to form a solid gel while preserving the vertical compositional gradient in the molded slurry; drying the gel to form a dried green body; and sintering the dry green body to form a solid object, at least one property thereof varying along the vertical direction because of the compositional gradient in the molded slurry.

• Research Organization: LOCKHEED MARTIN ENERGY RES COR
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-96OR22464
• Assignee: UT Battelle, LLC (Oak Ridge, TN)
• Patent Number(s): US 6375877
• OSTI ID: 874364
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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