Selective reinforcement with metal matrix composites

Abstract

A selectively reinforced structure may be produced by embedding at least two metal matrix composite tapes in a non-planar relationship to one another and in a predetermined region of a structure to selectively reinforce the structure. Further, a method for selectively reinforcing a structure or part includes positioning at least two metal matrix composite tapes in a substantially fixed non-planar relationship in a predetermined location within a mold and filling the mold with a material such as a metal, metal alloy, polymer, foam, glass, or ceramic such that the MMC tapes are embedded within the material. A reinforced structure is produced that has at least two metal matrix composite tapes selectively positioned within the structure.

1 . A method for selectively reinforcing a structure, comprising the steps of: 
 positioning at least two metal matrix composite tapes having a longitudinal axis, a planar surface, and a maximum width within a mold such that the planar surfaces are substantially mutually non-parallel and the longitudinal axes are substantially mutually parallel; and    filling the mold with a material, wherein the at least two metal matrix composite tapes are embedded within the material and extend within the material a distance of at least five times the maximum width of the tape.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal matrix composite tape comprises aluminum oxide fibers in an aluminum matrix.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of a metal, metal alloy, polymer, glass, foam, and a castable ceramic.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal matrix composite tape comprises aluminum oxide fibers in an aluminum matrix and wherein the material comprises aluminum.  
   
   
       5 . A selectively reinforced structure comprising a body of material and at least two metal matrix composite tapes, each having a longitudinal axis, a planar surface, and a maximum width, wherein the planar surfaces are substantially mutually non-parallel and the longitudinal axes are substantially mutually parallel, and wherein the at least two metal matrix composite tapes are embedded within the material of the body and extend within the body a distance of at least five times the maximum width of the tape.  
   
   
       6 . The selectively reinforced structure of  claim 5 , wherein the metal matrix composite tape comprises aluminum oxide fibers in an aluminum matrix.  
   
   
       7 . The selectively reinforced structure of  claim 5 , wherein the aluminum oxide fibers are continuous fibers.  
   
   
       8 . The selectively reinforced structure of  claim 5 , wherein the body comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, metal alloy, glass, polymer, foam, and a castable ceramic.  
   
   
       9 . The selectively reinforced structure of  claim 5 , wherein the metal matrix composite tape comprises aluminum oxide fibers in an aluminum matrix and wherein the body material comprises aluminum.