Patent ID: 6035925
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: B22D,C23C

Abstract:
A system for continuous pressure infiltration of a fiber perform with a matrix material comprising:a pressure chamber to provide a pressurized environment;a bath container disposed within the pressure chamber, the bath container including a heating element to maintain the matrix material in the bath container at a temperature above its melting temperature;an elongated entering orifice for sealing against liquid pressure, the orifice extending from an inlet at a lower surface of the pressure chamber to an outlet at a lower surface of the bath container to introduce the fiber perform into the bath container, a length of the entering orifice selected to provide a temperature gradient in the entering orifice, the temperature gradient selected to maintain the matrix material in the entering orifice in an entirely solid state at a location farthest from the bath container, in an entirely liquid state closest to the bath container, and in both the liquid and solid states therebetween;an exiting orifice for sealing against gas pressure disposed at an upper surface of the pressure chamber to allow the fiber perform infiltrated with the matrix material out of the pressure chamber; andwherein the pressure chamber has a region between a top of the bath container and the exiting orifice sufficient to cause the matrix material infiltrating the perform to fully solidify prior to exiting the pressure chamber through the sealing, exiting orifice.