PROCESS FOR PREPARING METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE MATERIALS BY ELECTROCHEMICAL PROCESS

The invention relates to a process for preparing a metal matrix composite material comprising titanium, or with matrix of other metals or metal alloys based on Zr, Fe, Cu etc. reinforced with carbide, nitride ceramic particles or with ceramic particles of other compounds. According to the invention, the process consists of an electrochemical reduction of metal oxide(s) of the matrices in molten calcium chloride as electrolyte, said oxide(s) having decomposition stresses lower than the decomposition stress of the calcium oxide, using the mixture of powders based on the oxide or oxide mixture of the metal/metals constituting the matrix as solid cathodes, and ceramic particle, and a superdense graphite as anode, the working temperature ranging between 850...950°C with an applied voltage current of 2.7...3.2V, the current intensity ranging between 10...20 A, the distance between the anode and the cathode being from 20 to 40 mm, the anode /cathode surface ratio being from 1.5...2/1.