Patent ID: 7329384
Filing Date: 2008-02-12
Classification: B22F,C22C

Abstract:
1. A porous metal-based composite material comprising: a metal matrix material; a mixture of at least two fine particle materials having a packing density in a range of 40 to 90 vol. %, said at least two fine particle materials comprising a first fine particle material having superior wettability with respect to said metal matrix material and a second fine particle material having inferior wettability with respect to said metal matrix material, wherein a volume mixing ratio of said first fine particle material to said second fine particle material in said mixture is in a range of 80:20 to 5:95, and wherein said mixture of at least two fine particle materials consists of at least one of a combination of (i) surface treated oxide ceramic particles and non-surface treated ceramic particles, and (ii) surface treated metal particles and non-surface treated ceramic particles; and holes defined at least in part by said second fine particle material having inferior wettability with respect to said metal matrix material; wherein said porous metal-based composite material is formed by providing said metal matrix material in solid form in contact with said mixture and then melting said metal matrix material and impregnating said metal matrix material into said mixture.