Method of preparing metal matrix composite materials using metallo-organic solutions for fiber pre-treatment

Abstract

Glass or ceramic fibers or other fibers such as graphite properly protected by a suitable adherent ceramic or metal coating are immersed in a liquid metallo-organic solution containing a noble metal compound as a primary ingredient, then dried and fired in air or in a slightly oxidizing atmosphere so as to produce a noble metal coating on the fibers. Fibers may be in the form of individual filaments, as a multifilament tow or yarn or as a woven fabric. The fibers coated with a nobel metal are then incorporated into a metal matrix composite material by immersion in a molten bath of the desired matrix metal, placing the fibers in a suitable mold and casting the molten matrix metal around them or placing the fibers between solid sheets of matrix metal and effecting consolidation by diffusion bonding. The coating thickness on the fibers should be at least 0.30 microns and should not exceed 0.50 microns. By staying within this range, adequate wetting by the metal matrix material coupled with maximum matrix purity are achieved. Optimum reproducibility of fiber infiltration and optimum effectiveness of fiber strengthening in the composite are achieved at the upper end of this range.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.