Metal-Matrix Composites Behavior and Aerospace Applications

Metal-matrix composites of aluminum, titanium, nickel and their alloys reinforced by continuous filaments of boron or silicon carbide are considered.

The aluminum-boron system provides advantages at temperatures to 600 F for general application; the titanium-silicon carbide system shows promise for high-temperature applications;but the nickel-silicon carbide system presents problems in compatibility between the two materials at high temperatures.

Selection of matrix alloys depends on filament loading, thermal history imposed by fabrication and usage requirements, the composite reinforcement geometry, and the nature of-stress distribution resulting from external loadings.