PREPARATION OF FIBER REINFORCED METAL COMPOSITE MATERIAL

PURPOSE:To make density isotropic in good productivity, by a method wherein a molten matrix metal is brought into contact with a fiber compact, whick is formed by molding a fiber aggregate comprising a large number of fibers by successively pressurizing the same from three directions crossing at right angles to each other, to be penetrated thereinto and, thereafter, the matrix metal is solidified. CONSTITUTION:Fibers are received in the cavity of a mold 10 to form a primary fiber aggregate 31 which is, in turn, pressurized to a Z-axis direction by plungers 11, 14 to obtain a secondary fiber aggregate 32. In the next step, this fiber aggregate 32 is compressed from an X-axis direction by a plunger 12 to form a third fiber aggregate 33 which is pressurized from a Y-axis direction to form a fiber compact 3. This fiber compact 3 is received in the cavity of a separate mold having shape almost same to the outer shape thereof. The mold is preheated to 350-550 deg.C and, for example, an Al-alloy heated to a temp. 50-200 deg.C higher than the m.p. thereof is injected and brought into contact with the fiber compact under pressure to be penetrated thereinto. After cooling, the fiber compact is taken out.