Reinforced metal matrix composite
AssigneeFiber Materials, Inc.
InventorsErnest G. Kendall, Roger T. Pepper
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A carbon fiber reinforced metal matrix composite is produced by depositing a metal boride coating on the surface of the fibers and subsequently immersing the fibers in a molten bath of the metal matrix material. The boride coating is formed by passing carbon fiber through a gaseous mixture of chlorides of the metal and boron in the presence of zinc vapor at elevated temperatures. The subsequent reaction deposits out a submicron lamina of metal boride on the carbon fibers serving to enhance wetting of the fibers by the molten metal, with the lamina preventing chemical reaction between the fibers and metal matrix materials and also providing a strong mechanical bond therebetween.
Claims17
The process of improving the wettability of multifilament carbon fibers by molten metal by coating the fibers with titanium boride comprising:
- admixing in a reaction zone a gaseous atmosphere of a chloride of titanium, boron chloride and zinc vapor;
- heating the reaction zone;
- and subjecting the carbon fibers to the atmosphere within the reaction zone whereby a titanium boride is formed on the surfaces of the multifilament fibers.
Method of forming a fiber-metal composite, comprising the steps of:
- forming a coating of titanium boride on a plurality of carbon fibers;
- immersing the coated fibers into a body of molten metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, lead, zinc, copper, aluminum, tin and alloys of said metals until said metal substantially fills the interstices between said fibers;
- and
- cooling the metal body with said coated fibers embedded therein to a temperature at which said metal solidifies.
The method of forming a fiber-metal composite comprising the steps:
- subjecting a plurality of carbon fibers to an atmosphere including a gaseous compound of titanium, a gaseous compound of boron, and zinc vapor, said atmosphere being at an elevated temperature at which the both said compounds are normally reduced by the zinc vapor, said fibers being subjected to said atmosphere for a time sufficient to render them wettable by a molten metal;
- thereafter,
- immersing the carbon fibers in a body of molten metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, lead, zinc, copper, aluminum, tin, and alloys of said metals, until said metal substantially fills the interstices among said fibers;
- and
- cooling the metal filled fibers to a temperature at which said metal solidifies.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.