Spirit AeroSystems. has been granted a patent for a method of manufacturing metal matrix composite (MMC) parts. The process involves applying a metallic sheath around MMC laminates, heating them to a fusing temperature, and then cooling the resulting fused part, utilizing electroless nickel or cobalt matrices. GlobalData’s report on Spirit AeroSystems gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
Smarter leaders trust GlobalData
According to GlobalData’s company profile on Spirit AeroSystems, Photovoltaic drones was a key innovation area identified from patents. Spirit AeroSystems's grant share as of July 2024 was 57%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Method for manufacturing metal matrix composite parts
The granted patent US12017297B2 outlines a method for manufacturing metal matrix composite (MMC) parts, focusing on the consolidation of MMC laminates or plies into a single fused component. The process begins with the application of a metallic sheath around a bundle of MMC laminates, which are composed of reinforcement fibers coated with an electroless nickel or cobalt matrix. The bundle is then heated under pressure at a fusing temperature that exceeds the solidus temperature of the nickel or cobalt matrix but remains below that of the metallic sheath. This heating process facilitates the metallurgical bonding of the laminates, followed by cooling to form a solid fused part. The method also includes steps for preparing the reinforcement fibers, such as removing surface contaminants and sizing, and various plating techniques to ensure the fibers are adequately coated.
Additionally, the patent details the composition of the reinforcement fibers, which can include materials like carbon fiber, boron fiber, and ceramic fibers. The method allows for the use of a sacrificial foil or release agents to prevent bonding between the MMC laminates and the metallic sheath during the heating process. The fusing temperature is specified to be between 2000 and 2300 degrees Fahrenheit, with the metallic sheath having a melting point of at least 2500 degrees Fahrenheit. The patent also describes post-processing steps, such as shaping the fused part while still encased in the sheath and removing the sheath after cooling. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance the manufacturing efficiency and quality of MMC parts, which are utilized in various high-performance applications.
To know more about GlobalData’s detailed insights on Spirit AeroSystems, buy the report here.
Data Insights
From
The gold standard of business intelligence.
Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors.
GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
