FP6 priority

1.1.4   Aeronautics and Space

1.4.1

Title of the proposal

Development of Metal Matrix Composites for automotive, space and electronic industry by pressure infiltration of molten metals.

Institute

Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Material Technologies,
Dubravska cesta 21, 83402 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Contact

Research subject for a potential FP6 project

Pressure infiltration is one of the most developed and many years studied technology at the Institute of Materials and Machine Mechanics. This is a simple and cost-effective method, in which a porous refractory preform is infiltrated with molten metals and in this way different Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) can be manufactured. MMCs can find many applications in a space- , automotive- and even in electronic industry. The main advantages of MMCs based on light metal matrices are high strength and high stiffness at low weight. Other composites prepared by pressure infiltration may have low thermal expansion and high thermal conductivity to assure reliable thermal management (e.g. copper reinforced with graphite fibres).The main work at the Institute in the field of pressure infiltration has been focused on the development and analysis of both lights metal and copper matrices reinforced with discontinuous ceramic or graphite fibers. Within the 6FP the Institute would like to continue in development of new composites for applications in automotive and aircraft/space industry based on: 1. magnesium-alloy matrix reinforced with graphite fibers; 2. aluminum matrix reinforced with alumna fiber. Produced and tested would be samples of a specific alloy composition with improved mechanical properties. Later on larger pieces of the composite in a shape of beams with specific sections could be produced by pressure infiltration in a large autoclave. Heat exchangers for space and also for other electronic applications made from copper matrix / carbon fibre composite can be developed and produced in larger dimensions - plates up to 100x100x3 mm. Such a new material with suitable thermophysical properties is at present very required in production of most of powerful electronic modules.

Recent international cooperation of the research team

Austrian Research Center Seibersdorf, Austria;
New Metals & Chemicals Limited England; Thomson – CSF Microelectronique France;

Proposer´s relevant publications related to the research subject

1. Korab,J., Korb,G., Stefanik,P. and Degischer,H.P. : Effect of Thermal Cycling on the Microstructure of Continuous Carbon Fibre Reinforced Copper Matrix Composites. Composites Part A Applied Science and Manufacturing, Vol.30, 1999, pp.1023-1026
2. Korab,J., Sebo,P., Stefanik,P., Kavecky, S. and Korb,G.: Thermal Conductivity of Continuous Carbon Fibre Reinforced Copper Matrix Composites: ICCE12 - 12th International Conference on Composite Materials, 5^th - 9^th July, 1999, Paris, Fance
3. Korab,J., Stefanik,P., Kavecky, S. Sebo,P. and Korb,G.: Thermal expansion of cross-ply and wowen Carbon Fibre - Copper Matrix Composites: Composites: Part A Applied Science and Manufacturing, Vol.33(1), 2002, pp.133-136
4. J. Korab, P. Stefanik, S. Kavecky, P. Sebo, G. Korb: Thermal conductivity of unidirectional copper matrix carbon fibre composites, Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 33(4), (2002), pp. 577- 581