Chaff comprising metal coated fibers

Abstract

High strength composite fibers are disclosed comprising a core, e.g., of carbon or the like, and a thin and uniform, firmly adherent electrically conductive layer of an electrodepositable metal, e.g., of nickel or the like. The composite fiber can be produced by electrodeposition from an electrolyte onto the core but the procedure must use external voltages high enough both (i) to dissociate the metal at the core and (ii) to nucleate the metal through the boundary layer into direct contact with the core. Such composite fibers are chopped to shortened lengths to provide chaff, which is effective as a radar countermeasure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.