X-ray detection of residual ceramic material inside hollow metal articles
First Claim
1. A method for making a hollow metal article, comprising the steps of casting a metal article around a ceramic core of an appropriate shape such that the ceramic core is embedded inside the metal article and leaching the ceramic core from inside the metal article to leave a hollow space in the shape of the ceramic core inside the metal article, wherein the method is characterized by:
- (a) introducing an x-ray detectable agent into the ceramic core, wherein the x-ray detectable agent has a higher x-ray density than the ceramic used to make the core,(b) making an x-ray radiograph of the metal article after the ceramic core is leached from inside the metal article, and(c) analyzing the x-ray radiograph to determine if any ceramic core remains inside the hollow space.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hollow metal article can be made by casting a metal article around a ceramic core and leaching the core from inside the article. These steps form a hollow space in the shape of the ceramic core. An x-ray detectable agent that has a higher x-ray density than the ceramic core is introduced into the core. Any core remaining inside the article after the leaching step is detected by making and analyzing an x-ray radiograph of the article.
19 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for making a hollow metal article, comprising the steps of casting a metal article around a ceramic core of an appropriate shape such that the ceramic core is embedded inside the metal article and leaching the ceramic core from inside the metal article to leave a hollow space in the shape of the ceramic core inside the metal article, wherein the method is characterized by:
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(a) introducing an x-ray detectable agent into the ceramic core, wherein the x-ray detectable agent has a higher x-ray density than the ceramic used to make the core, (b) making an x-ray radiograph of the metal article after the ceramic core is leached from inside the metal article, and (c) analyzing the x-ray radiograph to determine if any ceramic core remains inside the hollow space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification