High-strength, high-damping metal material and method of making the same

This application is based on and claims the priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Patent Application 197 41 019.7, filed on Sep. 18, 1997, of which the entire disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. A composite material includes a metallic second phase dispersed in a metallic matrix material. The metallic second phase has a grain structure that is at least partially martensitic. The second phase material is preferably an alloy of nickel and titanium, each present in the range from 48 to 52 atomic %, optionally in combination with further additives. The second phase particles can be present in the form of granular particles, wires, fibers, whiskers, or layers, making up 5 to 60 vol. % of the overall composite material. The matrix material is preferably an aluminum alloy. The composite material has a high damping capacity and a high tensile strength provided by the matrix, and a high damping capacity provided by the second phase. A method of making the composite material involves mixing a powdery matrix material and a powdery second phase material, and then heat and consolidating the mixture at a temperature of 400 to 700 ° C. and a pressure of 100 to 300 MPa.