Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of manufacturing a fiber reinforced metal object having a substantially uniform density metallic matrix material throughout, comprising the following steps: positioning each of a plurality of separate, previously drawn fibers of a tungsten-based metallic material in a separate tube of metallic matrix material; positioning each of said fiber-filled tubes of metallic matrix material within a single casing having a configuration substantially similar to the configuration of said metal object; isostatically pressing said casing and said fiber-filled tubes positioned therein at a temperature above ambient room temperature and below the lowest temperature necessary for melting both said fibers and said matrix material, thereby causing plastic deformation of said fiber-filled tubes into an object having the desired configuration of said metal object with substantially uniform density metallic matrix material throughout.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of manufacturing a fiber reinforced metal object having a substantially uniform density metallic matrix material throughout, comprising the following steps: positioning each of a plurality of separate, previously drawn fibers of a tungsten-based metallic material in a separate tube of metallic matrix material; positioning each of said fiber-filled tubes of metallic matrix material within a single casing having a configuration substantially similar to the configuration of said metal object; isostatically pressing said casing and said fiber-filled tubes positioned therein at a temperature above ambient room temperature and below the lowest temperature necessary for melting both said fibers and said matrix material, thereby causing plastic deformation of said fiber-filled tubes into an object having the desired configuration of said metal object with substantially uniform density metallic matrix material throughout.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 1, including the additional step of selectively positioning rods of matrix material between predetermined pairs of adjacently disposed fiber-filled tubes positioned within said single casing for providing unreinforced areas within said metal object of manufacture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 1, including the additional step of heating and maintaining said casing of matrix material and said enclosed fiber-filled tubes at a temperature substantially 100° C. below that temperature sufficient for causing eutectic melting of said fiber-filled tubes while isostatically pressing said casing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1, including the additional step of isostatically pressing said casing until said casing has a diameter corresponding to the desired diameter of said metal object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1, including the additional step of positioning each of said fiber-filled tubes of metallic matrix material within a single casing also formed of said matrix material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, including the additional step of positioning a plug of titanium material within said fiber-filled casing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 6, including the additional step of sealing opposite end portions of said casing after insertion of said titanium plug.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 7, including the additional step of heating the sealed casing and titanium plug positioned therein for drawing free air present in the casing to said titanium plug prior to isostatically pressing said casing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 1, including the additional step of isostatically pressing said casing and said fiber-filled tubes positioned therein at a first temperature for a predetermined period of time, heating said casing to a second, hotter temperature and isostatically pressing said casing for a further predetermined period of time.