Method of fabricating a fiber reinforced metal composite

Patent 4341823 Issued on July 27, 1982. Estimated Expiration Date:

January 14, 2001. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3571901

3622283

3720257

Fibre-reinforced metal panels and production thereof Patent #: 4141802
Issued on: 02/27/1979
Inventor: Duparque , et al.

Inventors

Assignee

Material Concepts, Inc.

Application

No. 06/224869 filed on 01/14/1981

US Classes:

427/404, Metal coating427/305, Nickel, copper, cobalt, or chromium coating427/433, Lead, zinc, or tin coating (e.g., galvanizing, etc.)427/443.1, Chemical compound reducing agent utilized (i.e., electroless deposition)428/614, Laterally noncoextensive components (e.g., embedded, etc.)428/634Free carbon containing component

Examiners

Primary: Kendall, Ralph S.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Gray; John L.

International Classes

C22C 47/00 (20060101)
C22C 47/08 (20060101)
D01F 11/12 (20060101)
D01F 11/00 (20060101)

Abstract

The present invention comprises a process of preparing metal matrix composites which are reinforced by ceramic or graphite fibers, wherein the fibers are pretreated; first by a nickel coating, then by a second coating which is sacrificed when the fibers are ultimately immersed in a liquid metallic bath which becomes the matrix of the composite material formed. Usually the second coating is copper.In addition, a third coating on the fibers comprising a noble metal such as silver may also be used for certain matrix metal materials. Preferably the thickness of the nickel coating is a minimum of 0.5 micrometers and the second sacrificial coating is a minimum of 0.5 micrometers. After the fibers have been coated with the two or more successive coatings, they are incorporated into a metal matrix composite material by immersion in a molten bath of the desired matrix metal, or by placing the fibers in a suitable mold and casting the molten metal matrix around them, or by other suitable means. This may be done under ordinary atmospheric conditions without the use of vacuum or a protective atmosphere.