Metal matrix composite with coated reinforcing preform
AssigneeAlcan International Limited
InventorsWillard M. T. Gallerneault, Christopher M. Gabryel
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Abstract
A process is described for forming a composite cast article comprising an aluminum-silicon alloy matrix containing a modifying amount of strontium and a preform of bonded-together reinforcing fibres incorporated in the matrix, in which the preform of reinforcing fibres is infiltrated under pressure by a melt of the alloy and the composite article thus formed is allowed to solidify by cooling. According to the novel feature, the fibres of the preform are coated with strontium, preferably in the form of SrO, before being infiltrated by the alloy melt. The strontium on the fibres is free to react with the Al-Si melt and thus modify the structure in the region of the preform such that an excess of silicon particles adjacent the fibres is avoided.
Claims8
A process for forming a composite cast article which comprises providing a preform of bonded-together reinforcing fibres, coating said reinforcing fibres with strontium, infiltrating the coated preform under pressure by a melt of an aluminum-silicon alloy matrix containing a modifying amount of strontium and allowing the composite article thus formed to solidify by cooling the improvement which comprises utilizing a preform in which the fibers are coated with strontium before being infiltrated by the alloy metal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.