Process for producing metal composite material

Abstract

Producing a metal composite material by mixing hydrated ceramic particles, having water of crystallization that is bound within fine pores which have an average pore diameter of 1 nm or more and 80 nm or less, with a reinforcing material, the resulting mixture being sintered to form a preform which is then impregnated with a melt of an aluminum alloy and subjected to surface polishing. The ceramic particles, from which water of crystallization has been removed while the average pore diameter of the pores thereof is maintained, are dispersed uniformly, it is possible to obtain the metal composite material in which the ceramic particles that have fine pores are exposed on surfaces evenly in a stable manner by surface polishing that is conducted after the melt impregnation. The metal composite material can permit infiltration of a lubricating oil into the fine pores.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.