Metal fiber comprising more than one metal or metal alloy

Abstract

A metal fiber has a cross section, having a perimeter. The cross section comprises at least a first zone and a second zone, each of these zones providing a part of the perimeter. The first zone is composed of a first metal or metal alloy M 1 , and the second zone is composed of a second metal or metal alloy M 2 , for which M 1 is different from M 2 . A method to make such fiber is provided. the method as subject of the invention comprises the steps of to—Providing a foil or plate which is composed of metal or metal alloy M 1 ;—Applying at a first side of said foil or plate a layer of a second metal or metal alloy M 2 ;—Coiling up said foil or plate comprising M 1 and M 2 on a shaft;—Rotating said shaft with coiled foil or plate and cutting the end surface of said coiled foil or plate using a cutting tool.

1 . A method to make a metal fiber, comprising the steps of 
 Providing a foil or plate being composed of metal or metal alloy M 1 ;    Applying at a first side of said foil or plate a layer of a second metal or metal alloy M 2 ;    Coiling said foil or plate comprising M 1  and M 2  on a shaft;    Rotating said shaft with coiled foil or plate and cutting the end surface of said coiled foil or plate using a cutting tool.    
   
   
       2 . A method to make a metal fiber as in  claim 1 , comprising an additional step of applying a layer of a third metal or metal alloy M 3 .  
   
   
       3 . A method to make a metal fiber as in  claim 2 , wherein additional layers of metal or metal alloys are provided.  
   
   
       4 . A method to make a metal fiber as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said layer of a third metal or metal alloy M 3  is applied at the second side of said foil or plate.  
   
   
       5 . A method to make a metal fiber as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said M 3  being selected out of the group consisting of Cu, Ni, Pt, Pd, Ag, Au, Rh, V, W, Fe, Mo, Ir, Al, Ti, Ce or an alloy comprising at least one element out of said group.  
   
   
       6 . A method to make a metal fiber as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said M 3  is present as a metal oxide.  
   
   
       7 . A method to make a metal fiber as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein M 3  is applied to said foil or plate by sputtering, spraying thermal spraying, electrolytic coating or dip coating.  
   
   
       8 . A method to make a metal fiber as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein M 2  is equal to M 3 .  
   
   
       9 . A method to make a metal fiber as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein M 2  is applied to said foil or plate by sputtering, spraying thermal spraying, electrolytic coating or dip coating.  
   
   
       10 . A method to make a metal fiber as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said metal fiber has a substantially polygon cross section.  
   
   
       11 . A method to make a metal fiber as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said metal fiber has a substantially rectangular cross section.  
   
   
       12 . A method to make a metal fiber as in  claim 11 , wherein said metal fiber has a substantially square cross section.  
   
   
       13 . A method to make a metal fiber as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said metal fiber has an equivalent diameter of less than 150 μm.  
   
   
       14 . A method to make a metal fiber as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein M 1  provides at least 90% of the surface of a cross section of said metal fiber.  
   
   
       15 . A method to make a metal fiber as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein M 1  is stainless steel.  
   
   
       16 . A method to make a metal fiber as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said M 2  is selected out of the group consisting of Cu, Ni, Pt, Pd, Ag, Au, Rh, V, W, Fe, Mo, Ir, Al, Ti, Ce or an alloy comprising at least one element out of said group.  
   
   
       17 . A method to make a metal fiber as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said M 2  is present as a metal oxide.  
   
   
       18 . A metal fiber having a cross section, said cross section having a perimeter, characterized in that said cross section comprises at least a first zone and a second zone, each of said zones providing a part of said perimeter, said first zone being composed of a first metal or metal alloy M 1 , said second zone being composed of a second metal or metal alloy M 2 , said M 1  being different from said M 2 , said fiber equivalent diameter is equal or less than 150 μm.  
   
   
       19 . A metal fiber as in  claim 18 , wherein said cross section comprises a third zone providing a part of said perimeter, said third zone being provided out of a metal M 3 .  
   
   
       20 . A metal fiber as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said cross section comprises additional zones providing a part of said perimeter.  
   
   
       21 . A metal fiber as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said second zone and said third zone provide parts of said perimeter, opposite to each other.  
   
   
       22 . A metal fiber as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said M 3  is selected out of the group consisting of Cu, Ni, Pt, Pd, Ag, Au, Rh, V, W, Fe, Mo, Ir, Al, Ti, Ce or an alloy comprising at least one element out of said group.  
   
   
       23 . A metal fiber as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said M 3  is present as a metal oxide.  
   
   
       24 . A metal fiber as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said M 2  is equal to M 3 .  
   
   
       25 . A metal fiber as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said cross section being substantially polygon.  
   
   
       26 . A metal fiber as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said cross section being substantially rectangular.  
   
   
       27 . A metal fiber as in  claim 26 , wherein said cross section being substantially square.  
   
   
       28 . A metal fiber as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein M 1  provides at least 90% of the surface of said cross section.  
   
   
       29 . A metal fiber as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said M 1  is stainless steel.  
   
   
       30 . A metal fiber as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said M 2  is selected out of the group consisting of Cu, Ni, Pt, Pd, Ag, Au, Rh, V, W, Fe, Mo, Ir, Al, Ti, Ce or an alloy comprising at least one element out of said group.  
   
   
       31 . A metal fiber as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein M 2  is present as a metal oxide.