Pressure Infiltration Casting, Lamination Theory Prediction and Mechanical Property Evaluation of High Performance Continuously Reinforced Metal Matri

Pressure infiltration casting technology will used to develop low density continuous fiber reinforced structural metal matrix composites in the form of tubes and plates. Three different reinforcement systems will be investigated with the idea of producing a spectrum of choices for a wide range of structural applications. Nextel 610 alumina fiber will be used to reinforce Al alloy 2024, a 125 msi pitch derived graphite fiber will be used to reinforce a high purity version of Al 413 and that same alloy will be reinforced with high strength PAN derived T650/42 carbon fiber. Filament winding technology will be used to produce the various candidate preform architectures required for evaluation. Lamination theory will be used to predict properties with three composite systems. Mechanical properties will be measured to verify and modify the input data into the lamination theory software to improve its ability to predict actual properties. In addition to a preliminary design database, the technology will be demonstrated on the production of mechanical evaluation plates and demonstration 30 and 60 mm diameter by 300 mm long tubes with a quasi-isotropic architecture.