Method of making a functionally graded material

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002

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: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• 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

Related Subjects

method
functionally
graded
material
gelcasting
internally
article
alternatively
steps
preparing
slurry
including
phases
suspended
solution
characterized
settling
characteristics
casting
mold
selected
shape
allowing
stand
sufficient
period
time
permit
gravitational
fractionation
achieve
vertical
compositional
gradient
molded
gelling
form
solid
preserving
drying
dried
green
sintering
dry
property
varying
direction
sufficient period
casting solution
slurry including
casting method
/264/