Viable routes to large-scale commercialisation of silicon carbide fibre titanium matrix composites

Abstract

Excellent mechanical properties, high temperature capability and good corrosion resistance make SiC fibre-reinforced titanium composites ideal materials for a number of engineering applications. Components are starting to be manufactured on a commercial scale, however widespread use is currently checked by costly processing routes. Two routes based upon slurry powder metallurgy are described, which require relatively cheap raw materials and no expensive dedicated facilities. The tape casting route gives 92% of the theoretical rule-of-mixtures values for tensile properties, and both are capable of complex shapes via novel fibre-winding methods. ©1999 Matrice Technology Ltd.