Method and apparatus for manufacturing composite materials

An apparatus for the production of a fiber-reinforced metal matrix composite wire comprising:

• a pressure chamber housing a bath container for holding a molten metal, an entering orifice at an inlet to the bath container, an intermediate orifice at an outlet of the bath container, and an exit orifice at an outlet of the pressure chamber, the orifices sized for passage of inorganic fiber bundles;
• an ultrasonic wave generating device including a ceramic portion for applying ultrasonic vibration to the molten metal under pressure in the bath container, the ceramic portion penetrating through a seal in the pressure chamber;
• a gas supply source for supplying a non-reacting gas into both the pressure chamber and the bath container;
• and
• a conveying device for transporting and winding an inorganic fiber-reinforced metal matrix composite wire.

A method for the production of a fiber-reinforced metal matrix composite wire comprising:

• providing an apparatus comprising a pressure chamber housing a bath container for holding a molten metal, an entering orifice at an inlet to the bath container, an intermediate orifice at an outlet of the bath container, and an exit orifice at an outlet of the pressure chamber, the orifices sized for passage of inorganic fiber bundles, and an ultrasonic wave generating device including a ceramic portion penetrating through a seal in the pressure chamber;
• continuously transporting the inorganic fiber bundles through the apparatus;
• infiltrating under pressure the molten metal into the inorganic fiber bundles;
• and
• applying ultrasonic vibration to the molten metal under pressure in the bath container.