Manufacture of hybrid fiber for reinforcing metals and ceramics, coats particles of metal or ceramic from suspension onto fiber, and sinters or compresses

摘要

The reinforcing fiber is brought into contact with a suspension. This contains particles of the metal and/or ceramic in suspension. The metal and/or ceramic particles precipitate onto the reinforcing fiber. The coating so formed, is then subjected to a sintering or compression process. The suspension comprises metal oxide particles. During or after precipitation they are electrolytically-reduced to metal. The reinforcing fibers are ceramic. The particle suspension is based on a fluid organic- or aqueous carrier substance. Alternatively a molten solid is used as the suspending fluid. Precipitation is promoted electrically, magnetically or electrostatically. The particles are statically-charged or doped. The method is integrated into the reinforcing fiber manufacturing process. Successive layered coatings of metal and/or ceramic particles may be deposited onto the reinforcing fibers. The fiber is continuous and the total thickness of the deposit is preferably 10-50 mu m. The hybrid fiber is surrounded by a matrix. The matrix material is the same as, or differs from the outermost coating on the reinforcing fiber. An independent claim is included for the corresponding hybrid fiber.