A method (S) for manufacturing a part (1) out of a metal matrix composite material, including the following steps: opening (S1) a device (10) that includes a supporting portion (14) and a molding portion (14); placing (S2) a fibrous reinforcement into the device (10); sealably closing (S3) the device (10) by providing a space between the fibrous reinforcement (2) and the device portions; feeding (S4) the molten metal matrix (3) into the device (10) such as to fill the space between the fibrous reinforcement (2) and the device portions (13, 14); and applying (S5) a force onto the equipment (10) such as to impregnate the fibrous reinforcement (2) with the metal matrix (3).

Carbon fiber reinforced steel matrix composites have carbon fiber impregnated in the steel matrix and chemically bonded to the steel. Chemical bonding is shown by the presence of a unique amorphous carbon layer at the carbon fiber/steel interface, and by canting of steel crystal edges adjacent to the interface. Methods for forming carbon fiber reinforce steel composites include sintering steel nanoparticles around a reinforcing carbon fiber structure, thereby chemically bonding a sintered steel matrix to the carbon fiber. This unique bonding likely contributes to enhanced strength of the composite, in comparison to metal matrix composites formed by other methods.

Production methods for producing a fiber-reinforced metal component having a metal matrix which is penetrated by a plurality of reinforcing fibers are provided. One method includes depositing in layers reinforcing fibers in fiber layers, depositing in layers and liquefying a metal modelling material in matrix material layers, and consolidating in layers the metal modelling material in adjacently deposited matrix material layers to form the metal matrix of the fiber-reinforced metal component. Here, the metal component is formed integrally from alternately deposited matrix material layers and fiber layers. An alternative method includes introducing an open three-dimensional fiberwoven fabric consisting of reinforcing fibers into a casting mold, pouring a liquid metal modelling material into the casting mold and consolidating the metal modelling material to form the metal matrix of the fiber-reinforced metal component. Here, the metal component is formed integrally from the consolidated metal modelling material and the reinforcing fibers.

A fiber-reinforced cutting element for a drill bit and method of manufacturing same is disclosed. A plurality of fibers are formed in and embedded between the PCD table and the attached substrate. The fibers enhance the thermo-mechanical integrity of the cutting element as well as its wear and abrasion resistance and also help to minimize the failure of the bond between the PCD table and the substrate. The fibers may be coated with a ceramic material to help withstand the high temperatures during the HTHP sintering process used to form the PCD table. The PCD table is leached following the HTHP press cycle thereby partially exposing the fibers. The PCD table with partially exposed fibers is then bonded to a substrate through an infiltration, hot pressing or sintering process. A binder may optionally be used to enhance the binding of the substrate to the PCD table.

A fiber-reinforced cutting element for a drill bit and method of manufacturing same is disclosed. A plurality of fibers are formed in and embedded between the PCD table and the attached substrate. The fibers enhance the thermo-mechanical integrity of the cutting element as well as its wear and abrasion resistance and also help to minimize the failure of the bond between the PCD table and the substrate. The fibers may be coated with a ceramic material to help withstand the high temperatures during the HTHP sintering process used to form the PCD table. The PCD table is leached following the HTHP press cycle thereby partially exposing the fibers. The PCD table with partially exposed fibers is then bonded to a substrate through an infiltration, hot pressing or sintering process. A binder may optionally be used to enhance the binding of the substrate to the PCD table.

A method for forming a reinforced metallic structure includes providing a tool having a formation surface corresponding to a desired structure shape of the reinforced metallic structure. The method also includes positioning a plurality of fibers on the formation surface of the tool. The method also includes depositing a layer of material on the plurality of fibers using a cold-spray technique. The method also includes removing the layer of material with the plurality of fibers from the tool to create the reinforced metallic structure.

The present application discloses a ceramic preform, a method of making a ceramic preform, a MMC comprising a ceramic preform, and a method of making a MMC. The method of making a ceramic preform generally comprises preparing reinforcing fibers, preparing a ceramic compound, and forming the compound into a desired shape to create the ceramic preform. In certain embodiments, the ceramic compound is formed as either a disc or a ring for use in a brake disc metal matrix composite. The metal matrix composite generally comprises the ceramic preform infiltrated with a molten metal to form the brake disc metal matrix composite. The method of making the metal matrix composite generally comprises heating the ceramic preform, placing the ceramic preform in a mold cavity of a die cast mold, and introducing molten metal into the mold cavity to infiltrate the ceramic preform to form the brake disc metal matrix composite.

The present invention relates to manufacturing of litz wire. In order to provide thinner litz wires, a system (100) for manufacturing litz wire is provided, the system comprising a provision unit (102) and a conversion unit (104). The provision unit is configured to provide a strand (106) with a plurality (108) of thin conductive wires (110) embedded in a matrix (112), which matrix is having first characteristics comprising metallic connection of the conductive wires and the matrix, and comprising electrical conductivity for electrically connecting of the conductive wires and the matrix. The conversion unit is configured to convert at least a part of the matrix into material (114) having second characteristics comprising electrical insulation for providing at least a part of the plurality of thin conductive wires with an electrical insulation.