Method for manufacturing metal matrix composite parts

A method of manufacturing metal matrix composite parts, the method comprising:

• removing surface contamination and sizing from dry reinforcement fibers;
• creating a plurality of individual metal matrix composite (MMC) laminates or plies by plating the dry reinforcement fibers with at least one of electroless nickel, electroplated nickel, and electroplated cobalt;
• stacking each of the plurality of individual MMC laminates or plies into a bundle of MMC laminates or plies;
• applying a metallic sheath around the bundle of MMC laminates or plies, wherein a sacrificial foil or sheet is placed between the metallic sheath and the bundle or wherein inside surfaces of the metallic sheath are coated with a release agent or pre-oxidized to prevent bonding of the MMC laminates or plies to the metallic sheath;
• heating the bundle of MMC laminates or plies in the metallic sheath at a curing or fusing temperature to consolidate the bundle of MMC laminates or plies into a single fused part;
• and
• cooling the fused part.

A method of manufacturing metal matrix composite parts, the method comprising:

• removing surface contamination from dry reinforcement fibers;
• creating a plurality of individual metal matrix composite (MMC) laminates by plating the dry reinforcement fibers with electroless nickel until the dry reinforcement fibers are fully encapsulated or fully wetted by the electroless nickel;
• stacking each of the plurality of individual MMC laminates into a bundle of MMC laminates;
• enclosing the bundle of MMC laminates within a metallic sheath, wherein the metallic sheath has a melting point of at least 2500 degrees Fahrenheit;
• evacuating atmosphere through an opening of the metallic sheath via vacuum;
• sealing the opening of the metallic sheath following the evacuating step;
• heating the bundle of MMC laminates sealed in the metallic sheath at a curing or fusing temperature to consolidate the bundle of MMC laminates into a single fused part under pressure, wherein the curing or fusing temperature is in a range of temperatures from 2000 degrees Fahrenheit to 2300 degrees Fahrenheit;
• shaping the bundle of MMC laminates in the metallic sheath;
• and
• cooling the fused part.