Metallic composite prepared for utilization which remains intact without aluminum/carbon reactions, is less expensive than other structural materials, and yields a flexible composite material

Lalacona, F. P.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

December 1971	 Brief 71-10482 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
Marshall Space Flight Center
	 W 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the. Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Off i ce, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.. 20546. 
Graphite-Reinforced Aluminum Composite 
Metallic composites are a relatively new family 
of structural materials that combine the desirable 
properties of high strength, high tensile modulus, 
and low density. At the same time, they are useable 
over a wider temperature range than ordinary 
aluminum or magnesium alloys. The composites are 
generally formed by using a matrix of lightweight 
metal (aluminum or magnesium) and incorporating 
oriented, high-strength reinforcing fibers of a high-
modulus, low-density refractory material such as 
boron or graphite. 
A new aluminum composite, reinforced with 
nickel-plated graphite fibers, is prepared by apply-
ing an electroless nickel coating to graphite-fiber 
yarn, aligning the yarn between aluminum sheets in 
a stacked array, and heating the array to obtain dif-
fusion bonding. The composite has several desirable 
features. For instance, the graphite fibers remain 
intact throughout the process, and undesirable 
aluminum/carbon reactions at the fiber surface are 
prevented by the nickel coating. Further, high-
strength graphite fiber is much less expensive than 
some other commonly used reinforcing materials, 
has a greater potential for future reductions in
manufacturing costs, and, unlike other fibrous 
substances (particularly boron), yields a com-
posite material that can be bent or otherwise formed 
without breaking the fibers. 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed 
to:
Technology Utilization Officer 
Code A&TS-TU 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Reference: B71-10482 
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for the commercial 
use of this invention may be made to: 
Patent Counsel 
Mail Code A&TS-PAT 
George C. Marshall Space Flight Center 
Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama 35812 
Source: F. P. Lalacona
Marshall Space Flight Center

(MFS-2 1077) 
Category 04 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National
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Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19710000479 2020-03-17T02:25:11+00:00Z


Graphite-reinforced aluminum composite

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