Sintered Alloy Cladding for Complex Metallic Substrates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cladding techniques are unsuitable for metallic substrates of complex geometry and require substantial deposition times or operating temperatures that can be detrimental to substrate integrity, limiting their effectiveness in harsh environments.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a sheet with an organic binder and powder nickel-based alloy, where the alloy has a solidus temperature at least 100°C less than the substrate, is used to create a fully dense sintered alloy cladding metallurgically bonded to the substrate, allowing for flexible cladding thickness and geometries, including the use of hard particles for enhanced properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cladding techniques (weld overlay, plasma transferred arc, thermal spray, laser cladding) are used, then cladding can be applied to metallic substrates, but the process requires substantial deposition times or operating temperatures that are detrimental to substrate integrity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstrate integrityVSAvoidcladding deposition time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental parameters of the cladding process by using sintering technology instead of conventional melting or spraying methods. The sintering process operates at lower temperatures (below the substrate's solidus temperature) and shorter time periods, achieving full densification and metallurgical bonding without the excessive heat input that damages substrate integrity in conventional techniques

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical deposition processes (welding, spraying, laser melting) with a thermal diffusion process (sintering). Instead of mechanically depositing and melting cladding material, the method uses controlled heating to enable atomic diffusion and metallurgical bonding, achieving similar results with reduced thermal damage and time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional cladding techniques are used, then cladding can be applied to metallic substrates, but the techniques are unsuitable for substrates of complex geometry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuitability for complex geometryVSAvoidcladding process feasibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the cladding material into fine powder particles that can be uniformly distributed and consolidated on complex surfaces. The powder form allows the material to conform to intricate geometries, and the sintering process consolidates these particles into a fully dense cladding layer that adheres to complex substrate shapes without requiring complex equipment setup

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary binding mechanism during sintering that facilitates metallurgical bonding between the powder cladding and the substrate. This intermediary process enables the cladding to conform to complex geometries while achieving strong adhesion, overcoming the limitations of direct mechanical or thermal bonding methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If conventional cladding techniques are used, then cladding can be applied to metallic substrates, but the process requires operating temperatures detrimental to substrate integrity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecladding bonding strengthVSAvoidcladding process temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the temperature parameter profile by using sintering temperatures that are strictly controlled to remain below the substrate's solidus temperature. This parameter change enables achieving metallurgical bonding strength comparable to or exceeding conventional methods while maintaining substrate integrity, as the lower temperatures prevent thermal damage, distortion, and loss of mechanical properties in the substrate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method achieves full cladding densification and metallurgical bonding on complex geometries, providing improved wear, abrasion, and corrosion resistance without compromising substrate integrity, suitable for various industrial applications.

Implementation Method 1

heating the powder nickel-based alloy to provide a sintered alloy cladding metallurgically bonded to the metallic substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Implementation Method 2

heated so that the binder decomposes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDecomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentEP2969323B1Cladded articles and methods of making the same
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 KENNAMETAL INC
  • EP2969323B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2969323B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2969323B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one aspect, methods of making cladded articles are described herein. A method of making a cladded article, in some embodiments, comprises disposing over a surface of a metallic substrate a sheet comprising organic binder and powder metal or powder alloy having a solidus temperature at least 100°C less than the metallic substrate and heating the powder metal or powder alloy to provide a sintered metal or sintered alloy cladding metallurgically bonded to the metallic substrate.