Squeeze Casting Process for Metal-Ceramic Composites

Squeeze casting is the term designating solidification of liquid metal under pressure. Pressure during solidification helps achieve defect-free castings with improved metallurgical properties. Through the work described here, this process has been adapted to manufacture composite materials at affordable costs. A preheated, porous ceramic preform is placed in a die cavity, which is later filled with the liquid melt, and pressure is applied. The pressure, in this case, helps infiltrate the liquid metal into the pores of the ceramic preform, giving a sound metal-ceramic composite. These developments are discussed to show the usefulness of the squeeze casting process for manufacturing metal-ceramic composites economically.