Glass fiber metal matrix composites

Abstract

A glass fiber reinforced metal matrix composite is described. The composite includes glass fibers distributed in a metal matrix body. The fibers may be uniformly distributed in the metal matrix and may include continuous lengths of the glass fibers. The glass fibers may be glass fibers, S-glass, E-glass fibers, soda-lime-silica fibers, basalt fibers, quartz fibers, or other similar glassy fibers. The metal matrix may include aluminum or alloys of aluminum as well as other metals and alloys.

1 . A metal matrix composite comprising: 
 a metal matrix body portion; and    glass fibers distributed in said metal matrix body portion.    
     
     
         2 . The metal matrix composite of  claim 1 , wherein said glass fibers are infiltrated by the metal matrix.  
     
     
         3 . The metal matrix composite of  claim 1 , wherein said glass fibers are distributed substantially uniformly in said metal matrix.  
     
     
         4 . The metal matrix composite of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said glass fibers are continuous glass fibers.  
     
     
         5 . The metal matrix composite of  claim 1 , wherein said glass fibers are glass.  
     
     
         6 . The metal matrix composite of  claim 1 , wherein said glass fibers are E-glass.  
     
     
         7 . The metal matrix composite of  claim 1 , wherein said glass fibers are basalt fibers.  
     
     
         8 . The metal matrix composite of  claim 1 , wherein said glass fibers are quartz fibers.  
     
     
         9 . The metal matrix composite of  claim 1 , wherein said metal matrix comprises aluminum.  
     
     
         10 . The metal matrix composite of  claim 1 , wherein said metal matrix is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum with 12% silicon, aluminum with 2% copper, alloys of aluminum, zinc, and zinc alloys.  
     
     
         11 . The metal matrix composite of  claim 1 , wherein said glass fibers are in the form of woven glass fibers.  
     
     
         12 . The metal matrix composite of  claim 1 , wherein said glass fibers are in the form of non-woven glass fibers.  
     
     
         13 . The metal matrix composite of  claim 1 , wherein said glass fibers are selected from the group consisting of, S-glass and soda-lime-silica fibers.  
     
     
         14 . A metal matrix composite comprising a plurality of continuous glass fibers substantially encapsulated in a metal matrix comprising aluminum.  
     
     
         15 . A method for producing a glass fiber reinforced metal matrix composite, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of glass fibers; and    embedding said plurality of glass fibers in a metal matrix.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of embedding includes infiltrating said glass fibers with said metal matrix.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said plurality of glass fibers are supplied in a multifiber tow.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said plurality of glass fibers are selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, S-glass, E-glass fibers, soda-lime-silica fibers, basalt fibers, quartz fibers, or other similar glassy fibers.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said metal matrix comprises aluminum.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said metal matrix is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum with 12% silicon, aluminum with 2% copper, and alloys of aluminum.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the step of pulling said glass fibers through a metal bath.