The invention discloses the internal structures and processes to synthesize the structure of self-healing materials, especially metallic materials, metal matrix micro and nanocomposites. Self-healing is imparted by incorporation of macro, micro or nanosize hollow reinforcements including nanotubes, filled with low melting healing material or incorporation of healing material in pockets within the metallic matrix; the healing material melts and fills the crack. In another concept, macro, micro and nanosize solid reinforcements including ceramic and metallic particles, and shape memory alloys are incorporated into alloy matrices, specially nanostructured alloy matrices, to impart self healing by applying compressive stresses on the crack or diffusing material into voids to fill them. The processes to synthesize these self-healing and nanocomposite structures, including pressure or pressureless infiltration, stir mixing and squeeze casting in addition to solid and vapour phase consolidation processes are part of this invention.

A chassis of a motor vehicle, having at least one part that consists of a metal material and absorbs or transmits forces, at least one tape-shaped reinforcing element that consists of a fiber-reinforced metal matrix being applied to the surface of the part by thermal joining in the broadest sense. Chassis, which are of different motor-vehicle types in terms of their weight and/or their drive power and the same part, in terms of its geometric dimensions, that absorbs or transmits said forces, are characterized in that, when used in a motor-vehicle type with a higher weight and/or a greater drive power, a reinforcing element is applied to at least one surface portion, forming a load path, of this part, which reinforcing element is either not provided at all or is provided in a smaller size in a different motor-vehicle type with a lower weight and/or lower drive power.

A chassis of a motor vehicle, having at least one part that consists of a metal material and absorbs or transmits forces, at least one tape-shaped reinforcing element that consists of a fiber-reinforced metal matrix being applied to the surface of the part by thermal joining in the broadest sense. Chassis, which are of different motor-vehicle types in terms of their weight and/or their drive power and the same part, in terms of its geometric dimensions, that absorbs or transmits said forces, are characterized in that, when used in a motor-vehicle type with a higher weight and/or a greater drive power, a reinforcing element is applied to at least one surface portion, forming a load path, of this part, which reinforcing element is either not provided at all or is provided in a smaller size in a different motor-vehicle type with a lower weight and/or lower drive power.

A reinforced composite comprises: a reinforcement material comprising one or more of the following: a carbon fiber based reinforcing material; a fiberglass based reinforcing material; a metal based reinforcing material; or a ceramic based reinforcing material; and a carbon composite; wherein the carbon composite comprises carbon and a binder containing one or more of the following: SiO.sub.2; Si; B; B.sub.2O.sub.3; a metal; or an alloy of the metal; and wherein the metal is one or more of the following: aluminum; copper; titanium; nickel; tungsten; chromium; iron; manganese; zirconium; hafnium; vanadium; niobium; molybdenum; tin; bismuth; antimony; lead; cadmium; or selenium.

A porous copper body including a skeleton having a three-dimensional network structure is provided. An oxidation-reduction layer formed by an oxidation-reduction treatment is provided on a surface of the skeleton, and the average crystal grain size of an entirety including the skeleton and the oxidation-reduction layer is 5% or more of the diameter of the skeleton.

A reinforced composite comprises: a reinforcement material comprising one or more of the following: a carbon fiber based reinforcing material; a fiberglass based reinforcing material; a metal based reinforcing material; or a ceramic based reinforcing material; and a carbon composite; wherein the carbon composite comprises carbon and a binder containing one or more of the following: SiO.sub.2; Si; B; B.sub.2O.sub.3; a metal; or an alloy of the metal; and wherein the metal is one or more of the following: aluminum; copper; titanium; nickel; tungsten; chromium; iron; manganese; zirconium; hafnium; vanadium; niobium; molybdenum; tin; bismuth; antimony; lead; cadmium; or selenium.

A method and apparatus for resistive heating usable in composite-based additive manufacturing is disclosed. The method includes providing a prepared stack of substrate sheets, placing the stack between electrode assemblies of a compression device, applying a current to thereby heat the stack to a final temperature to liquefy applied powder, compressing the stack to a final height, cooling the stack, and removing the cooled, compressed stack from the compression device. The apparatus comprises at least two plates, a power supply for providing current, a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly.

A method and apparatus for resistive heating usable in composite-based additive manufacturing is disclosed. The method includes providing a prepared stack of substrate sheets, placing the stack between electrode assemblies of a compression device, applying a current to thereby heat the stack to a final temperature to liquefy applied powder, compressing the stack to a final height, cooling the stack, and removing the cooled, compressed stack from the compression device. The apparatus comprises at least two plates, a power supply for providing current, a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly.

A method and apparatus for resistive heating usable in composite-based additive manufacturing is disclosed. The method includes providing a prepared stack of substrate sheets, placing the stack between electrode assemblies of a compression device, applying a current to thereby heat the stack to a final temperature to liquefy applied powder, compressing the stack to a final height, cooling the stack, and removing the cooled, compressed stack from the compression device. The apparatus comprises at least two plates, a power supply for providing current, a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly.

A composite knife made from layers of Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) is disclosed. It includes a middle layer of fibrous preform including a hard insert placed longitudinally at its periphery. The hard insert, after sharpening, represents the cutting blade portion of the composite knife. The composite knife further includes a carrier which forms the load bearing member of the cutting blade, as well as forming the integral handle of the composite knife. The carrier portion of the composite knife includes at least one top and at least one bottom layers of fibrous preform, sandwiching the middle layer that contains the cutting edge portion of the knife. A metallic material is infiltrated within the fibrous preforms and extends throughout the composite blade structure forming the MMC knife, the metallic material bonding the middle layer within the carrier, and bonding the top and bottom surface of the hard insert within the carrier.