GRAPHITE FIBERS AS REINFORCEMENTS IN A METAL MATRIX: A DEFINITION AND DISCUSSION OF THE PROBLEM.
Abstract
Thermodynamic principles of chemical inertness and thermal stability were applied to develop a theory and definition of the model composite. The concept of mutual insolubility of two elements at the melting point provides a criterion for both chemical inertness and the range of thermal stability. The same principle applied to these elements with respect to a third element permits a reasonably accurate description of the phase space of a ternay system. This concept was applied to predict possible metal matrices and/or coatings for graphite fibers. The concepts of the surface free energies of graphite and metals are discussed in order to clarify fabrication difficulties. On these principles there are seven possible binary systems and twelve ternary systems which may be considered chemically and thermally stable for graphite over a wide temperature range. None of the metals, however, is considered a structural material with the exception of nickel. A survey of possible ternary systems incorporating structural materials, which react easily to form carbides, reveals that alloys would have to be used which lower the useful temperature range. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0810883
Entities
People
- B. K. Morse
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory