Method to manufacture reinforced axi-symmetric metal matrix composite shapes

摘要

A composite part consisting of a metallic matrix and reinforcing fibres is fabricated by the simultaneous winding of the fibre and plasma spraying of the matrix onto a rotating mandrel (10), wherein an axi-symmetric part is produced with multiple layers of the fibres aligned in the circumferential direction. Single or multiple fibre strands e.g. of silicon carbide are wound onto the mandrel (10) and simultaneously sprayed with the heated powder matrix material e.g. titanium alloy, using a thermal spray process (12). Rotation and translation of the mandrel (10) produces an axi-symmetric composite part. The content of the fibre material in the plasma sprayed matrix is typically up to 40% by volume. The light-weight composite part is produced in a single processing step. The part may be used either direction, or as an insert in other components with or without further densification.