METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE COMPONENT BY USE OF A REINFORCEMENT PREFORM

摘要

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a metal matrix composite component (9). It comprises the use of a container (1) having a first compartment (2) and a second compartment (3) interconnected by a passage (4). A porous reinforcement preform (6) is placed in the first compartment (2), and matrix metal (7) is placed in the second compartment (3). The container (1) is then evacuated and sealed. The container (1) and its content is heated to above a melting temperature of the matrix metal (7) at least until the matrix metal (7) has melted. Then a high pressure P is applied to the outside of the container (1) so that at least the second compartment (3) is deformed to such an extent that melted matrix metal (7) is forced to flow via the passage (4) into the first compartment (2) and to infiltrate the porous reinforcement preform (6). The method may preferably be carried out in a hot isostatic pressure vessel (8). The preform (6) may be made from a ceramic or metal material and is typically made from one or more of the following: nanoparticles, microparticles, fibres, wires and 3D woven structure.