Electrostatic means for fabrication of fiber-reinforced metals

An electrostatic means for fabricating fibre-reinforced metals (FRMs) with unidirectionally oriented ceramic fibres to improve mechanical strength is described. Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ short fibres suspended in Freon are electrostatically aligned in the field direction and then sedimented to form a mat, which is dried and casted with aluminium alloy. The mechanism of the electronic orientation is reported, together with mechanical properties of the fabricated FRMs.<
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