Patent ID: 9023128
Filing Date: 2015-05-05
Classification: C22C

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a metal matrix nanocomposite, the method comprising: introducing a master metal matrix nanocomposite into a molten metal, the master metal matrix nanocomposite comprising a first matrix metal and a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed in the first matrix metal, wherein the molten metal is at a temperature above the melting temperature of the master metal matrix nanocomposite; mixing at least a portion of the master metal matrix nanocomposite with the molten metal, wherein the compositions of the molten metal and the matrix metal of the master metal matrix nanocomposite differ, and further wherein the first matrix metal and the molten metal are independently selected such that the wettability of the molten metal on the material from which the nanoparticles are made is lower than the wettability of the first matrix metal, as measured in its liquid phase, on the material from which the nanoparticles are made; and solidifying the molten metal to provide a second metal matrix nanocomposite comprising a second matrix metal and at least a portion of the plurality of the nanoparticles dispersed in the second matrix metal.