Carbon-reinforced metal-matrix composites
AssigneeThe Aerospace Corporation
InventorHoward A. Katzman
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Abstract
A carbon fiber reinforced metal matrix composite is produced by metal oxide coating the surface of the fibers by passing the fibers through an organometallic solution followed by pyrolysis or hydrolysis of the organometallic compounds. The metal oxide coated fibers so produced are readily wettable without degradation when immersed in a molten bath of the metal matrix material.
Claims25
A carbon fiber reinforced metal matrix comprising:
- (a) a continuous multifilament carbon fiber;
- (b) an oxide film operative to coat substantially surfaces of the multifilament carbon fiber;
- and
- (c) a metal matrix material infiltrated throughout and adhered to the multifilament carbon fiber.
A composite product comprising a plurality of carbon fibers each having a coating of an oxide formed with an element selected from the group consisting of silicon, titanium, vanadium, lithium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, zirconium, boron, or alloys thereof, said fibers being disposed in a substantially solid matrix of metal.
A process for improving the wettability of multi-filament carbon fibers by molten metal by coating the fibers with an oxide comprising:
- (a) immersing the fibers in an ultrasonic bath containing an organic solvent solution having alkoxides therein at a predetermined temperature;
- and
- (b) flowing steam by the fibers to hydrolyze the alkoxides to oxide on the surface of the fiber to a predetermined thickness.
A process for improving the wettability of multifilament carbon fibers by molten metal by coating the fiber with an oxide comprising the steps of:
- (a) heating the fibers to a predetermined temperature to pyrolyze and vaporize the sizing;
- (b) immersing the fibers in a ultrasonic bath at a predetermined temperature containing an organic solvent solution having chlorides and alkoxides therein;
- (c) flowing steam by the fibers to hydrolyze the alkoxides to form an oxide on the surface of the fiber to a predetermined thickness;
- and
- (d) drying the fibers at a predetermined temperature in an inert atmosphere for vaporizing excess water and the organic solvent, and for pyrolyzing any unhydrolyzed compounds into the oxide.
A process for improving the wettability of multifilament carbon fibers by molten metal by coating the fibers with an oxide comprising the steps of:
- (a) vaporizing off sizing on the fiber by heating it to a predetermined temperature;
- (b) immersing the fibers in an ultrasonic bath at a predetermined temperature containing an organic solvent solution having chlorides and alkoxides therein;
- (c) flowing steam by the fibers to hydrolyze the chlorides and alkoxides to an oxide on the surface of the fiber to a predetermined thickness;
- and
- (d) drying the fibers at a predetermined temperature in an inert atmosphere for vaporizing excess water and the organic solvent, and for pyrolyzing any unhydrolyzed compounds into the oxide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.