Metal-ceramic composite materials from zeolite precursor

A straightforward technique of synthesis of metal-ceramic composite materials using a zeolite precursor is proposed. The first stage of this technique consists of the transition metal (Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+ and Cu2+) cation exchange of commercial zeolites. The subsequent stages provide the reduction of these zeolites by thermal treatment under reducing atmosphere and the sintering of the ceramic matrix embedding the metallic particles. The stages of reduction and sintering may be performed according to two different modalities depending on the desired final product. If metal-ceramic composites for structural applications are desired, the stages of reduction and sintering are performed separately. If metal-ceramic composites for electromagnetic applications are desired, the stages of reduction and sintering are combined into a single firing step. (C) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.