Fabrication of a component from a composite material - with an intermetallic matrix possessing a low temperature eutectic or peritectic reaction

摘要

A process is claimed for the fabrication of a component from a composite material with an intermetallic matrix. The metal elements such as titanium and aluminium contained in the compound forming the matrix, in the form of a powder, are arranged on some meshes of staggered fibres in proportions equal to the volumetric fractions of these elements in the compound. The deposition is advantageously performed cold, by a physical deposition in the vapour phase of the type known as cathodic magnetron pulverisation. After the meshes have been placed in a pile, the component is subjected to a relatively low pressure, compacting at a temperature slightly above the temperature of formation of the compound. Finally the pile of composite material is subjected to thermal treatment to assure the complete transformation of the metallic elements. USE/ADVANTAGE - The process us used for the fabrication of components from composite materials with an intermetallic matrix incorporating a refractory fibre reinforcement, more particularly where the intermetallic matrix is formed from a compound possessing a eutectic or peritectic reaction at low temperature. The process allows the industrial production of components from composite materials without the need for high temperatures or pressures. It can be put into service with conventional low cost tooling and is applicable for all kinds of composite materials incorporating a defined or intermetallic matrix with a low temperature eutectic or peritectic reaction and a refractory fibre reinforcement.