Metallic matrix composites are synthesized by mixing a first reactant, a second reactant and a nucleator compound to obtain a reaction mixture, and heating the reaction mixture to an auto-activation temperature to initiate a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis reaction between the first and second reactants. The metallic matrix composite can include a metallic matrix and an in situ formed reinforcement. The reinforcement can be formed of discrete particles substantially uniformly dispersed within the metallic matrix. Each of the particles can have a reinforcement constituent disposed about a core formed of the nucleator compound.

Metallic matrix composites are synthesized by mixing a first reactant, a second reactant and a nucleator compound to obtain a reaction mixture, and heating the reaction mixture to an auto-activation temperature to initiate a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis reaction between the first and second reactants. The metallic matrix composite can include a metallic matrix and an in situ formed reinforcement. The reinforcement can be formed of discrete particles substantially uniformly dispersed within the metallic matrix. Each of the particles can have a reinforcement constituent disposed about a core formed of the nucleator compound.

A polycrystalline super hard construction has a first region having a body of thermally stable polycrystalline super hard material having a plurality of intergrown grains of super hard material; a second region forming a substrate having a hard phase and a binder phase; and a third region interposed between the first and second regions. The third region includes a composite material having a first phase comprising a plurality of non-intergrown grains of super hard material, and a matrix material. A fourth region interposed between the second and third region has a major proportion having one or more components of the binder material of the second region, and one or more reaction products between the binder material of the second region and one or more components of the third region.

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 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.

Methods and compositions are provided for improving metal dusting corrosion, abrasion resistance and/or erosion resistance for various materials, preferably for applications relating to high-temperature reactors, including dense fluidized bed reactor components. In particular, cermets comprising (a) at least one ceramic phase selected from the group consisting of metal carbides, metal nitrides, metal borides, metal oxides, metal carbonitrides, and mixtures of thereof and (b) at least one metal alloy binder phase are provided. Ceramic phase materials include chromium carbide (Cr.sub.23C.sub.6). Metal alloy binder phase materials include β-NiAl intermetallic alloys and Ni.sub.3Sn.sub.2 intermetallic alloys, as well as alloys that contain α-Cr and/or γ′-Ni.sub.3Al hard phases. Preferably, bimetallic materials are provided when the cermet compositions are applied using a laser, e.g., a laser cladding method such as high power direct diode (HPDD) laser, or by plasma-based methods such as plasma transfer arc (PTA) welding and powder plasma welding (PPW).

This disclosure relates to a polycrystalline cubic boron nitride, PCBN, material that includes a binder matrix material containing nitride compounds. The nitride compounds are selected from HfN, VN, and/or NbN.

This disclosure relates to a polycrystalline cubic boron nitride, PCBN, material that includes a binder matrix material containing nitride compounds. The nitride compounds are selected from HfN, VN, and/or NbN.