Fiber reinforced aluminum matrix composite wires produced with a continuous process and some of their applications.

摘要

A pressure infiltration process was developed to produce fiber reinforced aluminum matrix wires and thin stripes in continuous process. In the process the preform fiber tows or tapes enter and exit the pressurized molten metal bath through a gating system that allows the free passage of the preforms while prevents the blow out of the molten matrix material. With the current configuration of the experimental apparatus wires with diameters of 0.75, 1 and 1.5 mm.. and tapes of 1 mm. by 24 mm. were produced. The wires were infiltrated with speeds up to 20 meter per minutes and lengths over 300 meter. The produced lengths were limited only by the available matrix material in the infiltrating chamber. Perform fibers were 3M Nextel 440, 610, Altex, Ube Silicon Carbide and Pitch 25 Carbon fibers in 2024, 6061 and pure aluminum matrices with 50 n- 60 v/o fiber contents. Due to perfect infiltration for all of the fiber ¨C matrix combinations and to the high production rate - low exposure time between the fibers and elevated temperature, which reduced interface reactions significantly, the mechanical properties were excellent. To demonstrate some potential applications of the produced composites, composite wires were jacketed in aluminum envelope for power transmission cable application. Increased strength at lower specific weight and reduced thermal expansion coefficients are characteristics. Composite wires and stripes were also incorporated into structural shapes by using a second low pressure infiltration step. The produced sandwich structures exhibit considerably high rigidity and flexural strength.