US3918141A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of producing a graphite-fiber-reinforced metal composite
Assignee: Fiber Materials Inc
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Filing: 1974-04-12
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1994-04-12
Abstract
Abstract Production of a graphite fiber/metal composite material having substantially axially oriented fibers from a substantially random mat of graphite fibers. The mat is coated with a wetting agent and the coated mat is then impregnated with a molten metal such as aluminum, lead, copper or zinc, and cooled to form a solid ingot or billet. The billet is then hot-worked at a temperature slightly below the liquidus temperature to reduce the crosssection of the mat and thereby substantially align the fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger Thomas Pepper
- 👤 Frank Bucherati
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:05
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C49/00; C22C49/14; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49801; Y10T29/4998; Y10T29/49982; Y10T29/49984; Y10T29/49988; Y10T29/49991; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12444
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
Method of forming a composite of metal with a mat of initially randomly arranged carbon fibers, comprising the steps of: coating the surfaces of said mat of substantially random carbon fibers so that said carbon fibers can be wetted by a molten metal; impregnating the coated mat with a molten metal; cooling the metal impregnated mat to a temperature below the solidus temperature of said metal; and working the cooled impregnated mat at a temperature in the range between a minimum of not more than about 50*C below said solidus temperature and a maximum just below the liquidus temperature of the metal, to reduce the cross-section of the impregnated mat in one direction and thereby substantially align said carbon fibers in a direction perpendicular to the direction of reduction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
Method of forming a composite of metal with a mat of initially randomly arranged carbon fibers, comprising the steps of: coating the surfaces of said mat of substantially random carbon fibers so that said carbon fibers can be wetted by a molten metal; impregnating the coated mat with a molten metal; cooling the metal impregnated mat to a temperature below the solidus temperature of said metal; and working the cooled impregnated mat at a temperature in the range between a minimum of not more than about 50*C below said solidus temperature and a maximum just below the liquidus temperature of the metal, to reduce the cross-section of the impregnated mat in one direction and thereby substantially align said carbon fibers in a direction perpendicular to the direction of reduction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
Method as defined in claim 1 wherein said fibers are graphite.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Method as defined in claim 1 wherein the step of coating includes reduction of a gaseous compound of titanium in the presence of said fibers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
Method as defined in claim 3 wherein said fibers are coated with a titanium compound selected from the group consisting of titanium boride, titanium carbide and mixtures thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
Method as defined in claim 3 wherein said step of coating is effected for a time sufficient to deposit on each of said fibers a layer having a thickness in the range between about 100 to 10, 000 A.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of impregnation includes immersing said coated fibers in a body of molten metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method as defined in claim 6 wherein said step of immersing is carried out under substantially ambient atmospheric pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
Method as defined in claim 1 wherein a major proportion of said metal is aluminum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
Method as defined in claim 1 wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, lead, zinc, copper and alloys in which at least one of said metals is a major constituent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
Method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of working comprises extruding the cooled impregnated mat.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
Method as defined in claim 10 wherein said impregnated mat is back extruded through a die having a tapered entrance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of working reduces the cross-section of said impregnated mat not less than 20%.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
83 words
METHOD OF ALIGNING REINFORCING CARBON FIBERS IN A PRECURSOR FORMED OF A MAT OF SUBSTANTIALLY RANDOMLY ORIENTED CARBON FIBERS IMPREGNATED WITH A METAL, COMPRISING WORKING SAID PRECURSOR AT A TEMPERATURE IN THE RANGE BETWEEN A MINIMUM OF NOT MORE THAN ABOUT 50*C BELOW THE SOLIDUS TEMPERATURE AND A MAXIMUM JUST BELOW THE LIQUIDUS TEMPETARURE OF THE METAL, TO REDUCE THE CROSS-SECTION OF THE MAT IN ONE DIRCTION AND THEREBY SUBSTANTIALLY ALIGN THE CARBON FIBERS IN A DIRECTION PERPENDICULAR TO THE DIRECTION OF REDUCTION.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
83 words
METHOD OF ALIGNING REINFORCING CARBON FIBERS IN A PRECURSOR FORMED OF A MAT OF SUBSTANTIALLY RANDOMLY ORIENTED CARBON FIBERS IMPREGNATED WITH A METAL, COMPRISING WORKING SAID PRECURSOR AT A TEMPERATURE IN THE RANGE BETWEEN A MINIMUM OF NOT MORE THAN ABOUT 50*C BELOW THE SOLIDUS TEMPERATURE AND A MAXIMUM JUST BELOW THE LIQUIDUS TEMPETARURE OF THE METAL, TO REDUCE THE CROSS-SECTION OF THE MAT IN ONE DIRCTION AND THEREBY SUBSTANTIALLY ALIGN THE CARBON FIBERS IN A DIRECTION PERPENDICULAR TO THE DIRECTION OF REDUCTION.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |