Abstract
The salient fabrication parameters involved in the hot pressing of composites of aluminium reinforced with silica fibres have been studied and their effects evaluated. The roles of temperature, atmosphere, and time in promoting bonding are much as would be anticipated from general powder-metallurgy considerations. The effect of pressure is modified by mechanical damage to the fibres at high pressures. This damage can be minimized by ensuring good fibre alignment.
Methods have been developed, analogous to those used with fibre reinforced plastics, for the fabrication of simple filament-wound shapes, such as rings, and of more complex shapes. A few trials have been made on pressure-welding and soldering techniques for forming lap-joints between pieces of aluminium-silica.
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