A compositionally-graded structure including a body having a first major surface and a second major surface opposed from the first major surface along a thickness axis, the body including a metallic component and a ceramic component, wherein a concentration of the ceramic component in the body is a function of location within the body along the thickness axis, wherein transitions of the concentration of the ceramic component in the body are continuous such that distinct interfaces are not macroscopically established within the body, and wherein the concentration of the ceramic component is at least 95 percent by volume at at least one location within the body along the thickness axis.

Titanium-based compositions as well as titanium composites such as carbide-reinforced titanium composites are disclosed herein. More specifically, composite materials comprising a titanium metal matrix and titanium carbide dispersed in the matrix are disclosed. The composite materials comprise about 0.5 wt. % to about 3.0 wt. % of carbon, based on the total weight of titanium and carbon in the composite materials. Compositions comprising a titanium-based powder and at least one of a carbon-based material and a binder are also disclosed. The compositions comprise about 0.5 wt. % to about 3.0 wt. % of carbon-based material, based on the total weight of the titanium-based powder and the carbon-based material.

A method of fabricating a material having a high concentration of a carbide constituent. The method may comprise adding a carbide source to a biocompatible material in which a weight of the carbide source is at least approximately 10% of the total weight, heating the carbide source and the biocompatible material to a predetermined temperature to melt the biocompatible material and allow the carbide source to go into solution to form a molten homogeneous solution, and impinging the molten homogeneous solution with a high pressure fluid to form spray atomized powder having carbide particles. The size of a particle of carbide in the atomized powder may be approximately 900 nanometers or less. The biocompatible material may be cobalt chrome, the carbide source may be graphite, and the fluid may be a gas or a liquid.

Disclosed are non-magnetic metal alloy compositions and applications that relate to non-magnetic metal alloys with excellent wear properties for use in dynamic three-body tribological wear environments where an absence of magnetic interference is required. In one aspect, the disclosure can relate to a drilling component for use in directional drilling applications capable of withstanding service abrasion. In a second aspect, a hardbanding for protecting a drilling component for use in directional drilling can be provided. In a third aspect, a method for prolonging service life of a drilling component for use in directional drilling can be provided.

Process for formation of composite coatings and composite coatings formed thereby. A process for formation of a metal-matrix composite coating on a surface of a substrate is provided. The substrate is an aluminum alloy. The metal-matrix composite coating is formed on the substrate through laser deposition using filler materials comprising aluminum, silicon and graphite. The particles forming the metal-matrix composite coating are formed in-situ from the filler materials. A metal-matrix composite coating obtained by the laser deposition process with in-situ formation of particles is also provided.

An aluminum-based composite material includes an aluminum parent phase, and stick-shaped or needle-shaped dispersive matter of aluminum carbide dispersed in the aluminum parent phase. A method of manufacturing the aluminum-based composite material includes a step of mixing aluminum powder having a purity of 99% by mass or higher with a stick-shaped or needle-shaped carbon material, and pressing and molding a resulting mixture, so as to prepare a compacted powder body. The manufacturing method further includes a step of heating the compacted powder body at 600C to 660C to react the carbon material with aluminum in the aluminum powder, so as to disperse the stick-shaped or needle-shaped dispersive matter of aluminum carbide in the aluminum parent phase.

A method of sintering electrically conducting powders in an air atmosphere for obtaining a sintered product includes the following step sequence: placing the powders in an electrically isolating mold, applying a pressure to the powders between 100 and 500 MPa, and applying to the powders a sintering current at a sintering voltage during a sintering time, for sintering the powders. Before applying the sintering current density to the powders, an activation current density is lower than the sintering current density at an activation voltage greater than the sintering voltage during an activation time lower than the sintering time, to reduce the electrical resistance of the powders.

Provided is a method for manufacturing an Al alloy that includes Cu and C, by a manufacturing method provided with a step for adding graphite particles, and particles of a carbonization promoter containing boron or a boron compound, to Al molten metal that includes Cu.

The present invention relates to granular composite density enhancement, and related methods and compositions. The application where the properties are valuable include but are not limited to: 1) additive manufacturing (“3D printing”) involving metallic, ceramic, cermet, polymer, plastic, or other dry or solvent-suspended powders or gels, 2) concrete materials, 3) solid propellant materials, 4) cermet materials, 5) granular armors, 6) glass-metal and glass-plastic mixtures, and 7) ceramics comprising (or manufactured using) granular composites.

A metal matrix nanocomposite includes: (1) a matrix including an aluminum alloy; and (2) nanostmctures dispersed in the matrix, wherein the matrix includes grains having aspect ratios of about 3 or less. Manufacturing processes include subjecting the nanocomposite to solidification processing, fusion welding, extrusion, thixocasting, additive manufacturing, and heat treatment.