The present invention relates to an aluminum matrix composite (AMC), and particularly to a method and apparatus for preparing an AMC with a high strength, a high toughness, and a high neutron absorption. The present invention combines a high-neutron-absorption and highly stable micro-B.sub.4C extrinsic reinforcement with an in-situ nano-reinforcement containing elements B, Cd, and Hf and having high neutron capture ability, achieves efficient absorption of neutrons by using the large cross-sectional area of the micro-reinforcement, achieves effective capture of rays penetrating gaps of the micro-reinforcement by means of the highly dispersed in-situ nano-reinforcement, and significantly improves the toughness of the composite material by means of the high-dispersion toughening effect of the nano-reinforcement, obtaining a particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composite (PAMC) having high toughness and high neutron absorption.

The present disclosure relates to a powder blend for use in additive manufacturing, which comprises a particulate metallic binder material, abrasive particles and a segregation-reducing additive for the powder blend, wherein the segregation-reducing additive comprises silica nanoparticles. According to another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method of manufacturing such powder blend and uses thereof. In still another aspect, it is provided a three-dimensional article obtained by treating such powder blend by irradiation with a focused beam.

Provided is a bearing for a motor-type fuel injection pump. This bearing is composed of a Cu—Ni-based sintered alloy, inexpensive and has a superior corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance. The bearing contains 10 to 20% by mass of Ni, 2 to 4.5% by mass of Sn, 0.05 to 0.4% by mass of P, 2 to 7% by mass of C, and a remainder consisting of Cu and inevitable impurities. The bearing has a metal structure where Sn is uniformly dispersed and distributed in a metal matrix, and has a porosity of 7 to 17% where a free graphite is dispersed and distributed in pores.

This disclosure is directed to composites of MAX-phase materials and gold, and methods for preparing the same.

A syntactic metal foam composite that is substantially fully dense except for syntactic porosity is formed from a mixture of ceramic microballoons and matrix forming metal. The ceramic microballoons have a uniaxial crush strength and a much higher omniaxial crush strength. The mixture is continuously constrained while it is consolidated. The constraining force is less than the omniaxial crush strength. The substantially fully dense syntactic metal foam composite is then constrained and deformation worked at a substantially constant volume. The deformation working is typically performed at a yield strength that is adjusted by way of selecting a working temperature at which the yield strength is approximately less than the omniaxial crush strength of the included ceramic microballoons. This deformation causes at least work hardening and grain refinement in the matrix metal.

A silver film for die attachment in the field of microelectronics, wherein the silver film is a multilayer structure comprising a reinforcing silver foil layer between two layers of sinterable particles. Each layer of sinterable particles comprises a mixture of sinterable silver particles and reinforcing particles. The reinforcing particles comprise glass and/or carbon and/or graphite particles. A method for die attachment using a silver film.

A silver film for die attachment in the field of microelectronics, wherein the silver film is a multilayer structure comprising a reinforcing silver foil layer between two layers of sinterable particles. Each layer of sinterable particles comprises a mixture of sinterable silver particles and reinforcing particles. The reinforcing particles comprise glass and/or carbon and/or graphite particles. A method for die attachment using a silver film.

The present disclosure concerns composite material having improved strength at elevated temperatures. The composite material comprises a matrix of an aluminum alloy (comprising, in weight percent, Si 0.05-0.30, Fe 0.04-0.6, Mn 0.80-1.50, Mg 0.80-1.50 and the balance being aluminum and unavoidable impurities) as well as particles of a filler material dispersed within the matrix. The matrix can optionally comprise Cu and/or Mo. In some embodiments, the composite material comprises, as a filler material, B.sub.4C as well as an additive selected from the group consisting of Ti, Cr, V, Nb, Zr, Sr, Sc and any combination thereof. The present disclosure also provides processes for making such composite materials.

Some variations provide a metal matrix nanocomposite composition comprising metal-containing microparticles and nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles are chemically and/or physically disposed on surfaces of the microparticles, and wherein the nanoparticles are consolidated in a three-dimensional architecture throughout the composition. The composition may serve as an ingot for producing a metal matrix nanocomposite. Other variations provide a functionally graded metal matrix nanocomposite comprising a metal-matrix phase and a reinforcement phase containing nanoparticles, wherein the nanocomposite contains a gradient in concentration of the nanoparticles. This nanocomposite may be or be converted into a master alloy. Other variations provide methods of making a metal matrix nanocomposite, methods of making a functionally graded metal matrix nanocomposite, and methods of making a master alloy metal matrix nanocomposite. The metal matrix nanocomposite may have a cast microstructure. The methods disclosed enable various loadings of nanoparticles in metal matrix nanocomposites with a wide variety of compositions.

Some variations provide a metal matrix nanocomposite composition comprising metal-containing microparticles and nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticles are chemically and/or physically disposed on surfaces of the microparticles, and wherein the nanoparticles are consolidated in a three-dimensional architecture throughout the composition. The composition may serve as an ingot for producing a metal matrix nanocomposite. Other variations provide a functionally graded metal matrix nanocomposite comprising a metal-matrix phase and a reinforcement phase containing nanoparticles, wherein the nanocomposite contains a gradient in concentration of the nanoparticles. This nanocomposite may be or be converted into a master alloy. Other variations provide methods of making a metal matrix nanocomposite, methods of making a functionally graded metal matrix nanocomposite, and methods of making a master alloy metal matrix nanocomposite. The metal matrix nanocomposite may have a cast microstructure. The methods disclosed enable various loadings of nanoparticles in metal matrix nanocomposites with a wide variety of compositions.