Graded Particulate Components With Interlayers to Prevent Sintering Cracks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for manufacturing components with spatially graded properties are limited in effectively preventing crack generation during sintering and achieving optimized material characteristics for aerospace and other applications.

Innovation Solution

The method involves providing layers of particulate matter with different material characteristics, using interlayers to separate and bond the layers through heating, and compacting to achieve solid state bonding, thereby facilitating a spatially graded structure that balances material properties and minimizes thermal stresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If layers of particulate matter with different material characteristics are sintered together, then components with spatially graded properties are produced, but crack generation occurs during sintering due to thermal stresses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatially graded propertiesVSAvoidcrack resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

An interlayer is introduced between the first layer and second layer of particulate matter. This interlayer acts as a mediator that facilitates bonding between layers with different material characteristics while accommodating thermal expansion differences, thereby preventing crack generation during the sintering process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sintering process utilizes controlled temperature parameters and atmospheric conditions to bond the layers. By carefully managing the sintering temperature profile and atmosphere, the process achieves bonding between layers with different material characteristics while minimizing thermal stresses that could cause cracking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If conventional sintering methods are used to join layers with different material characteristics, then bonding is achieved, but thermal stresses cause crack formation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebond strengthVSAvoidthermal stresses
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The interlayer serves as a buffer between materials with different thermal expansion coefficients. It accommodates the thermal stresses that arise during sintering and cooling, preventing these stresses from propagating as cracks through the bonded structure while maintaining strong interlayer bonding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The structure comprises multiple layers of particulate matter with different material characteristics bonded together. This composite structure allows each layer to contribute its specific properties while the overall assembly achieves a balance of mechanical strength and thermal stress resistance through the interlayer mediation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If single-material components are manufactured, then manufacturing process is simple, but spatially graded properties cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidspatially graded properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The component is divided into multiple layers of particulate matter, each layer having different material characteristics. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for specific functional requirements, enabling spatially graded properties while maintaining a relatively simple layer-by-layer manufacturing approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite structures formed by bonding together layers of different particulate materials. This approach enables the component to exhibit spatially graded properties with each layer contributing specific characteristics, achieving versatility without requiring complex single-material formulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables the production of components with tailored spatially graded properties, enhancing mechanical and thermal performance while reducing the risk of crack formation during sintering.

Implementation Method 1

heating the first layer, the second layer, and the interlayer to bond the first layer with the second layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP3450160B1Methods for manufacturing components having spatially graded properties
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 THE BOEING CO
  • EP3450160B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3450160B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3450160B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a component having a spatially graded property includes providing a first layer of particulate matter, the first layer having first material characteristics, and providing a second layer of particulate matter, the second layer having second material characteristics different from the first material characteristics. The method further includes providing an interlayer between the first layer and the second layer and heating the first layer, the second layer, and the interlayer to bond the first layer with the second layer.