REINFORCED SPLINES AND THEIR MANUFACTURE

摘要

A spline structure, in the form of an aeronautical brake drive bar (20), has wheel attachment points (21, 22) at its ends for engaging a wheel rim. Each wheel carries a regularly spaced series of these drive bars (20) for engaging friction discs carried by the wheel hub. The main body (26) of each brake drive bar (20) is formed from titanium internally reinforced by composite blocks (23, 24 and 25) each comprising a bundle of silicon carbide fibres contained in a matrix that is diffusion bonded within the main body (26). Other spline structures can be formed in a similar manner.