| abstract |
A co-continuous metal-ceramic (CCMC) article resulting from a chemical reaction between a ceramic preform and a molten metal is disclosed. The ceramic preform is produced by intermixing a precursor material and a particulate ceramic material, shaping that mixture into a predetermined configuration, and transforming the precursor material into a ceramic matrix. Shaping the preform, whether through a simple molding process, or through a sophisticated rapid prototyping process, is disclosed. CCMC articles having regions of different composition and/or properties are also disclosed. n A manufacturing process comprising the steps employed to produce such CCMC articles is disclosed. |