A heterogeneous composite consisting of near-nano ceramic clusters dispersed within a ductile matrix. The composite is formed through the high temperature compaction of a starting powder consisting of a core of ceramic nanoparticles held together with metallic binder. This core is clad with a ductile metal such that when the final powder is consolidated, the ductile metal forms a tough, near-zero contiguity matrix. The material is consolidated using any means that will maintain its heterogeneous structure.

A heterogeneous composite consisting of near-nano ceramic clusters dispersed within a ductile matrix. The composite is formed through the high temperature compaction of a starting powder consisting of a core of ceramic nanoparticles held together with metallic binder. This core is clad with a ductile metal such that when the final powder is consolidated, the ductile metal forms a tough, near-zero contiguity matrix. The material is consolidated using any means that will maintain its heterogeneous structure.

A method for producing an article containing silicon carbide as the main constituent includes a plurality of sets of steps of forming a layer of a raw material powder and irradiating the layer with laser light according to three-dimensional model data. The low material powder is a mixture of silicon carbide powder, metallic silicon powder, and carbon powder. The laser light used in the step of irradiation with laser light has a spatial laser power density of 11 J/mm.sup.3 to 50 J/mm.sup.3.

A system for forming an abrasive article is presented. The system includes a workspace and an abrasive material dispenser that deposits a layer of abrasive material onto the workspace. The system also includes a leveler that levels a surface of abrasive material on the workspace. The system also includes a binder jet printer that dispenses a liquid binder onto the layer of abrasive material. The workspace is on a moving surface that moves the workspace between a dispensing position under the dispenser, a leveling position under the leveler, and a printing position, under the printer.

A system for forming an abrasive article is presented. The system includes a workspace and an abrasive material dispenser that deposits a layer of abrasive material onto the workspace. The system also includes a leveler that levels a surface of abrasive material on the workspace. The system also includes a binder jet printer that dispenses a liquid binder onto the layer of abrasive material. The workspace is on a moving surface that moves the workspace between a dispensing position under the dispenser, a leveling position under the leveler, and a printing position, under the printer.

The invention relates to a method of processing a superhard composite material (21) comprising a polycrystalline microstructure and a binder, said method comprising the following steps: contacting (200) a surface of said superhard composite material (21) with an absorbent material (30), and applying (300) an electric current to the superhard composite material (21), causing the binder to move from the superhard composite material (21) to the absorbent material (30) so as to create a continuous gradient (221) of binder content within the superhard composite material (21).

The present invention relates to a metal matrix composite (MMC). The MMC includes a preform formed from a composition having ceramic particles and ceramic fibers and defining a plurality of voids. The metal matrix composite also includes a support element, such as a metal, disposed within the voids of the preform. The MMC has a wear surface defined by both the preform and the support element.

A composite material contains a metallic phase, a non-metallic phase and a specific element. At least 90 mass % of the metallic phase is composed of at least one selected from the group consisting of Ag and Cu. The non-metallic phase includes a coated core material. The coated core material includes a core material and a carbide layer that covers at least a part of a surface of the core material. The core material contains at least one carbon-containing material selected from the group consisting of diamond, graphite, carbon fibers, and silicon carbide. The carbide layer contains a carbide of at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Cr, Ta, and V. The specific element is at least one selected from the group consisting of Y and Mg. A total content of the specific element is 0.0004 mass % to 1.3 mass %.

A composite member excellent in corrosion resistance of a substrate and excellent in heat radiation property is provided. A composite member includes a substrate composed of a composite material containing magnesium or a magnesium alloy and SiC and a coating layer provided on a surface of the substrate. The coating layer includes an outermost layer provided as an outermost surface and an intermediate layer provided directly under the outermost layer. The outermost layer contains nickel and phosphorus. The intermediate layer is mainly composed of copper. The intermediate layer has a thickness not smaller than 30 μm.

A component suitable for a timepiece or a jewellery item may be made of a cermet material including a carbide phase and a metal binder phase selected from among gold, platinum, palladium rhodium, osmium, ruthenium, and one of the alloys thereof. The metal binder phase may be present in a range of from 3 and 25 wt. % and the carbide phase may be present in a range of from 75 and 97 wt. %.