Bimetallic composite parts and methods thereof

Abstract

A system for and a method of forming a bimetallic composite includes positioning a first metal in proximity to an ejector for jetting a material. The method of forming a bimetallic composite also includes ejecting one or more drops of the liquid material to form a layer of the liquid material onto a surface of the first metal. The method of forming a bimetallic composite also includes where the liquid material may include a second metal. The metal cladding system includes an ejector for jetting a liquid material, and a platform for conveying a component in proximity to the ejector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of forming a bimetallic composite, comprising:
 positioning a first metal in proximity to an ejector for jetting a material; and   ejecting one or more drops of the liquid material to form a layer of the liquid material onto a surface of the first metal; and   wherein the liquid material comprises a second metal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of forming a bimetallic composite of  claim 1 , wherein the first metal comprises iron, chrome, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of forming a bimetallic composite of  claim 1 , wherein the second metal comprises a metal, a metallic alloy, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of forming a bimetallic composite of  claim 3 , wherein the second metal comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         5 . The method of forming a bimetallic composite of  claim 1 , wherein the first metal is heated prior to ejecting one or more drops of the liquid material. 
     
     
         6 . The method of forming a bimetallic composite of  claim 5 , wherein the first metal is heated to a temperature from about 550° C. to about 1200° C. 
     
     
         7 . The method of forming a bimetallic composite of  claim 1 , further comprising applying an adhesive to a surface of the first metal prior to ejecting one or more drops of the liquid material. 
     
     
         8 . The method of forming a bimetallic composite of  claim 1 , further comprising forming an oxide layer onto a surface of the first metal prior to ejecting one or more drops of the liquid material. 
     
     
         9 . The method of forming a bimetallic composite of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the second metal is a liquid when first contacting the first metal; and   a reduction potential of the first metal and a reduction potential of the second metal are such that a spontaneous reaction occurs between the first metal and the second metal when in contact.   
     
     
         10 . A metal cladding process, comprising:
 positioning a component in proximity to an ejector for jetting a liquid material; and   ejecting one or more drops of the liquid material to form a layer of the liquid material onto a surface of the component; and   wherein the liquid material comprises a second metal.   
     
     
         11 . The metal cladding process of  claim 10 , wherein the component comprises a first metal. 
     
     
         12 . The metal cladding process of  claim 11 , wherein the first metal comprises iron, chrome, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The metal cladding process of  claim 10 , wherein the second metal comprises a metal, a metallic alloy, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The metal cladding process of  claim 13 , wherein the second metal comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         15 . The metal cladding process of  claim 11 , wherein the first metal is heated to a temperature from about 550° C. to about 1200° C. prior to ejecting one or more drops of the liquid material. 
     
     
         16 . The metal cladding process of  claim 11 , further comprising applying an adhesive to a surface of the first metal prior to ejecting one or more drops of the liquid material. 
     
     
         17 . The metal cladding process of  claim 11 , further comprising forming an oxide layer onto a surface of the first metal prior to ejecting one or more drops of the liquid material. 
     
     
         18 . The metal cladding process of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the second metal is a liquid when first contacting the first metal; and   a reduction potential of the first metal and a reduction potential of the second metal are such that a spontaneous reaction occurs between the first metal and the second metal when in contact.   
     
     
         19 . A metal cladding system, comprising:
 an ejector for jetting a liquid material; and   a platform for conveying a component in proximity to the ejector; and   
       wherein:
 the ejector is configured to eject one or more drops of the liquid material to form a layer of the liquid material onto a surface of the component; and 
 the platform is configured to heat the component. 
 
     
     
         20 . The metal cladding system of  claim 19 , wherein the liquid material comprises a metal, a metallic alloy, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The metal cladding system of  claim 19 , wherein the component comprises a metal.