Composite articles, wear plates and methods

Abstract

A metal matrix composite article is described that includes a metal component, a ceramic component, and a lubricious component. The metal matrix composite article has a first surface and a second surface. The lubricious component is present in an amount that is highest at the first surface and is lowest at the second surface. The ceramic component is present in an amount that is highest at the first surface and is lowest at the second surface. The metal component is present in an amount that is highest at the second surface and is lowest at the first surface. In some cases, the metal matrix composite article is a wear plate for a fifth wheel hitch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of making a fifth wheel hitch with an integral wear plate, comprising the steps of:
 providing a preform, wherein the preform is shaped as a wear plate having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the preform comprises a ceramic component and a lubricious component, wherein the lubricious component has a density that is highest at the first surface and is lowest at the second surface, and wherein the ceramic component has a density that is highest at the first surface and is lowest at the second surface;   depositing the preform into a fifth wheel hitch bearing plate mold;   depositing a metal component into the fifth wheel hitch bearing plate mold, wherein the metal component both forms the fifth wheel hitch and infiltrates the preform to form a wear plate integral to the fifth wheel hitch.   
     
     
         2 . A method of making a fifth wheel hitch with an integral wear plate, comprising the steps of:
 providing a slurry including a ceramic component and a lubricious component;   depositing the slurry into a first mold;   forming a preform, wherein the ceramic component and the lubricious component have a specified density gradient in a flow direction;   removing the preform from the first mold;   depositing the preform into a second mold, the second mold being shaped as a wear plate;   depositing a metal component into the second mold, wherein the ceramic component, the lubricious component and the metal component form the wear plate;   removing the wear plate from the second mold;   inserting the wear plate into a fifth wheel hitch bearing plate mold; and   depositing a fifth wheel hitch forming material into the fifth wheel hitch bearing plate mold such that the fifth wheel hitch forming material surrounds the wear plate.