COATED FILAMENTS FOR COMPOSITES

摘要

Silicon carbide filaments (31) are coated to protect them from attack by a titanium matrix material when incorporating them into a metal matrix composite. The coating method comprises coating the filaments firstly with a carbon layer (32) and then with a titanium carbide or boride layer (33) whose carbon or boron content decreases progressively from its interface with the carbon layer to its exterior surface. A layer of titanium or a titanium based alloy (34) may be provided on the titanium carbide or boride layer (33) to facilitate incorporation into a metal matrix. Preferably, the layers (32-34) are applied by sputter ion plating.