US5244748A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metal matrix coated fiber composites and the methods of manufacturing such composites
Assignee: TECHNICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Inc A CORP OF UT
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Filing: 1989-01-27
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Granted: 1993-09-14
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Expires: 2009-01-27
Abstract
Abstract A fiber coating which allows ceramic or metal fibers to be wetted by molten metals is disclosed. The coating inhibits degradation of the physical properties caused by chemical reaction between the fiber and the coating itself or between the fiber and the metal matrix. The fiber coating preferably includes at least a wetting layer, and in some applications, a wetting layer and a barrier layer between the fiber and the wetting layer. The wetting layer promotes fiber wetting by the metal matrix. The barrier layer inhibits fiber degradation. The fiber coating permits the fibers to be infiltrated with the metal matrix resulting in composites having unique properties not obtainable in pure materials.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph K. Weeks, Jr.
- 👤 Chantal Gensse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:26
CPC Classifications
D; D01; D01F; D01F11/00; D01F11/10; D01F11/12; D01F11/127; C; C04; C04B; C04B41/00; C04B41/009; C04B41/45; C04B41/52; C22; C22C; C22C47/00; C22C47/02; C22C47/04; C22C47/08; D01F11/123; D01F11/126; D01F11/128; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/12; Y10T428/12486; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2933; Y10T428/294; Y10T428/2942; Y10T428/2944; Y10T428/2949
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
Metal matrix composites comprising: a metal matrix; and a plurality of fibers infiltrated with the metal matrix, said fibers being coated with a coating comprising: a wetting layer applied about the periphery of said fibers comprising a refractory metal which is readily wetted by the metal matrix and which is substantially insoluble in the metal matrix, said wetting layer being stable in air, and said wetting layer having a melting point higher than the melting point of the metal matrix; and a barrier layer for protecting said fibers from degradation caused by chemical reaction with the wetting layer or with the metal matrix, said barrier layer being applied to the periphery of each of said fibers between said fiber and the wetting layer and said barrier layer being stable in air.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
Metal matrix composites comprising: a metal matrix; and a plurality of fibers infiltrated with the metal matrix, said fibers being coated with a coating comprising: a wetting layer applied about the periphery of said fibers comprising a refractory metal which is readily wetted by the metal matrix and which is substantially insoluble in the metal matrix, said wetting layer being stable in air, and said wetting layer having a melting point higher than the melting point of the metal matrix; and a barrier layer for protecting said fibers from degradation caused by chemical reaction with the wetting layer or with the metal matrix, said barrier layer being applied to the periphery of each of said fibers between said fiber and the wetting layer and said barrier layer being stable in air.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Metal matrix composites as defined in claim 1, wherein the wetting layer comprises molybdenum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Metal matrix composites as defined in claim 1, wherein the wetting layer comprises tungsten.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
Metal matrix composites as defined in claim 1, wherein the barrier layer comprises alumina.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
Metal matrix composites as defined in claim 1, wherein the barrier layer comprises silica.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
Metal matrix composites as defined in claim 1, wherein the metal matrix comprises copper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
Metal matrix composites as defined in claim 1, wherein the metal matrix comprises aluminum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Metal matrix composites as defined in claim 1, wherein the metal matrix comprises magnesium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
Metal matrix composites as defined in claim 1, wherein the metal matrix comprises titanium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
Metal matrix composites as defined in claim 1, wherein the metal matrix comprises an aluminide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
Metal matrix composites as defined in claim 1, wherein the metal matrix comprises a transition metal superalloy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
Metal matrix composites as defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of fibers comprise ceramic fibers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
Metal matrix composites as defined in claim 12, wherein the plurality of fibers comprise graphite fibers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
Metal matrix composites as defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of fibers comprise metal fibers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
113 words
A fiber coating for a fiber used in a metal matrix composite comprising: a wetting layer applied about the periphery of a fiber comprising a refractory metal which is readily wetted by a metal matrix and which is substantially insoluble in the metal matrix, said wetting layer being substantially stable in air, and said wetting layer having a melting point higher than the melting point of the metal matrix; and a barrier layer applied to the periphery of the fiber between the fiber and the wetting layer for protecting the fiber from degradation caused by chemical reaction with the wetting layer or with the metal matrix, said barrier layer being stable in air.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
113 words
A fiber coating for a fiber used in a metal matrix composite comprising: a wetting layer applied about the periphery of a fiber comprising a refractory metal which is readily wetted by a metal matrix and which is substantially insoluble in the metal matrix, said wetting layer being substantially stable in air, and said wetting layer having a melting point higher than the melting point of the metal matrix; and a barrier layer applied to the periphery of the fiber between the fiber and the wetting layer for protecting the fiber from degradation caused by chemical reaction with the wetting layer or with the metal matrix, said barrier layer being stable in air.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for forming a metal matrix composites comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a plurality of fibers; (b) applying a barrier layer to the periphery of each of the fibers, said barrier layer protecting the fibers from degradation and said barrier layer being stable in air; (c) coating the barrier layer with a wetting layer comprising a refractory metal which is readily wet by a metal matrix and which is substantially insoluble in the metal matrix, said wetting layer having a melting point higher than the metal matrix and said wetting layer being stable in air; and (d) infiltrating the fibers with molten matrix metal thereby resulting in a metal matrix composite.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for forming a metal matrix composites comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a plurality of fibers; (b) applying a barrier layer to the periphery of each of the fibers, said barrier layer protecting the fibers from degradation and said barrier layer being stable in air; (c) coating the barrier layer with a wetting layer comprising a refractory metal which is readily wet by a metal matrix and which is substantially insoluble in the metal matrix, said wetting layer having a melting point higher than the metal matrix and said wetting layer being stable in air; and (d) infiltrating the fibers with molten matrix metal thereby resulting in a metal matrix composite.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for forming metal matrix composites as defined in claim 16, wherein the wetting layer is applied by the process of chemical vapor deposition.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method for forming metal matrix composites as defined in claim 16, wherein the wetting layer is applied by the process of electroplating.
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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) | 1996-09-13 | 1997-03-15 | 1997-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-09-13 | 2001-03-15 | 2001-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-09-13 | 2005-03-15 | 2005-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |