A method and apparatus for the generative manufacture of a three-dimensional component in a processing chamber, in which the steps “providing a metallic starting material in the processing chamber” and “melting the starting material by means of energy input” are repeated multiple times, wherein a process gas is provided in the processing chamber are disclosed. The method is characterized by the steps: 1) the hydrogen content of the process gas or a sample of the process gas is determined; 2) the oxygen content of the process gas or a sample of the process gas is determined by means of an oxygen sensor and/or the dew point of the process gas or a sample of the process gas is determined; and 3) the values for the oxygen content and/or the dew point determined in step 2 are corrected by means of the value for the hydrogen content determined in step 1.

A method for making a ceramic matrix composite component includes densifying a fibrous preform of the component with a ceramic matrix to form an intermediate component; infiltrating a hole in the intermediate component with an infiltrate material comprising a solid and a metallic alloy whose reaction forms a carbide, silicide, boride or combination thereof, heating the infiltrate material to a temperature in excess of a melting point of the metallic alloy; and sequentially cooling regions of the hole starting from an interior end of the hole to the outer surface of the intermediate component to form a solidified through-thickness reinforcement element. The hole extends in a through-thickness direction and is open to an exterior surface of the intermediate component.

A cBN sinter comprising cubic boron nitride grains and a binder phase, the binder phase comprising Ti.sub.2CN and TiAl.sub.3, wherein the ratio I.sub.Ti2CN/I.sub.TiAl3 of the peak intensity I.sub.Ti2CN of Ti.sub.2CN appearing at 2θ=41.9° to 42.2° to the peak intensity I.sub.TiAl3 of TiAl.sub.3 appearing at 2θ=39.0° to 39.3° is in a range of 2.0 to 30.0 in an XRD measurement.

Disclosed is a method for making a ceramic matrix composite. The method includes infiltrating an initial ceramic matrix composite with a molten silicon infiltration material to form a silicon infiltrated composite; cooling the silicon infiltrated composite; heating a first portion of the cooled silicon infiltrated composite to a temperature in excess of the melt temperature of the silicon infiltration material in the presence of a carbon source; heating a second portion of the cooled silicon infiltrated composite to a temperature in excess of the melt temperature of the silicon infiltration material in the presence of a carbon source after heating the first portion; and cooling the heated portions to form a final ceramic matrix composite, wherein the first portion and second portion of the cooled silicon infiltrated composite are adjacent or overlap.

A silicide-based composite material is disclosed, comprising a silicide of Mo, B, W, Nb, Ta, Ti, Cr, Co, Y, or a combination thereof, Si3N4, and at least an oxide, as well as and a process for producing the same.

Ceramic-metallic composites are disclosed along with the processes for their manufacture. The present invention improves high temperature strength of Al.sub.2O.sub.3—Al composites by displacing aluminum in the finished product with other substances that enhance the high temperature strength. Each process commences with a preform initially composed of at least 5% by weight silicon dioxide, and the finished product includes Al.sub.2O.sub.3, aluminum and another substance.

A vacuum additive manufacturing process enabling obtaining, through a single-step process, the synthesis, controlled densification and shaping of non-oxide materials as well as composite materials containing non-oxide as matrices or reinforcements, in porous as well as fully dense ceramic components, with a tailored nano-micro-macrostructure.

Ceramic-metallic composites are disclosed along with the processes for their manufacture. The present invention improves high temperature strength of Al.sub.2O.sub.3—Al composites by displacing aluminum in the finished product with other substances that enhance the high temperature strength. Each process commences with a preform initially composed of at least 5% by weight silicon dioxide, and the finished product includes Al.sub.2O.sub.3, aluminum and another substance.

Ceramic-metallic composites are disclosed along with the equipment and processes for their manufacture. The present invention improves the densities of these composites by eliminating porosity through the use of a unique furnace system that applies vacuum and positive gas pressure during specific stages of processing. In the fabrication of Al.sub.2O.sub.3—Al composites, each process commences with a preform initially composed of at least 5% by weight silicon dioxide, and the finished product includes aluminum oxide and aluminum, and possibly other substances.

A vacuum additive manufacturing process enabling obtaining, through a single-step process, the synthesis, controlled densification and shaping of non-oxide materials as well as composite materials containing non-oxide as matrices or reinforcements, in porous as well as fully dense ceramic components, with a tailored nano-micro-macrostructure.