IT IS PLANNED TO APPLY A METHOD PREVIOUSLY USED TO PRODUCE AN OXIDE DISPERSION-STRENGHENED ALUMINUM TO PRODUCE A LOW-DENSITY, GOLD-SILICA CERMET.

IT IS PLANNED TO APPLY A METHOD PREVIOUSLY USED TO PRODUCE AN OXIDE DISPERSION-STRENGHENED ALUMINUM TO PRODUCE A LOW-DENSITY, GOLD-SILICA CERMET. SUCH A CERMET WILL CONSIST PRINCIPALLY OF AU (70% BY VOLUME), WITH FULLY-WETTED, FINE (22-200 UM), COM- PLETELY DISPERSED SILICA PARTICLES. THE CERMET WILL PRODUCE A CASTABLE AND RECASTABLE MATERIAL THAT RETAINS THE DESIRABLE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF BULK GOLD SUCH AS CORROSIONPROTECTION AND LOW ELECTRICAL CONTACT RESISTANCE BUT WITH IMPROVED PROPERTIES SUCH AS HARDNESS AND COLD FLOW, AND HAS THE ADDITONAL BENEFIT OF USING 30% LESS GOLD. THE PRINCIPAL GOAL IS TO PRODUCE SLUGS OF COMPRESSED GOLD- SILICA POWDER THAT CAN BE USED TO EXTEND GOLD/GOLD ALLOY ALLOY MELTS. THE RESULTANT GOLD CERMETS WILL HAVE A FULLY WETTED, DISPERSED SILICA CONTENT OF 20% TO 30% BY VOLUME. THE FIRST YEAR OF THE PHASE II PROGRAM WOULD CONCENTRATE ON THE EVALUATION OF MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES REQUIRED FOR ELECTRICAL CONTACTS, FABRICATION REQUIREMENTS SUCH AS ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE (BULK AND DRY CIRCUIT), DUCTILITY (FOR DIE DRAWING), ABRASIVE RESISTANCE CONNECTOR MATE AND DEMATE), SUBSTRATE DIFFUSION, AND OTHER TESTS INDICATED BY MIL-C-39029 (MILITARY CONNECTOR CONTACT STANDARD). THE SECOND YEAR OF PHASE II WOULD CONCENTRATE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROCESS TO PROVIDE DATA FOR A COMMERCIAL PRODUCING PILOT PLANT TO BE SET UP DURING PHASE III OF THE PROGRAM.