Fabrication of metal matrix composite by electroforming technique

An easily fabricating method of metal matrix composites was developed applying the electroforming technique. After continuous dielectric fibres are wound on a cylindrical electrode, metal matrix is electroformed. The fibres are buried in the matrix inevitably because metal matrix precipitates not on the dielectric fibres but on the electrode under the wound fibres. Winding the yam and electroforming the metal matrix are repeated until the composite has desired thickness. Al2O3—fibre/Ni and SiO2—fibre/Cu composites were fabricated by way of trial. In every combination, the matrix infiltrated into the yarn very well. This result suggests that any dielectric fibres can be dispersed in metal matrix. Tensile strength of the composites along the fibres was measured from room temperature to 600°C. Specific strength of the SiO2/Cu composite was higher than that of rolled copper. It shows the possibility of fibre reinforcement of metal by this method.