Patent ID: 7879454
Filing Date: 2011-02-01
Classification: B23K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A fiber-reinforced component, comprising; a first composite member comprising a metal matrix with reinforcing fibers disposed therein in a random three-dimensional orientation thereby imparting isotropic structural properties to the first composite member, each of the reinforcing fibers having a diameter of about 1 micrometer (40 microinches) to about 25 micrometers (980 microinches) and a length of about 1 mm (0.004 in.) to about 38 cm (14.7 in.); a second composite member comprising a metal matrix with reinforcing fibers disposed therein in a random three-dimensional orientation thereby imparting isotropic structural properties to the second composite member, each of the reinforcing fibers having a diameter of about 1 micrometer (40 microinches) to about 25 micrometers (980 microinches) and a length of about 1 mm (0.004 in.) to about 38 cm (14.7 in.); wherein the first composite member is bonded to the second composite member by a solid state bond along a predetermined joint path, such that an average volume fraction of the reinforcing fibers of the first composite member and the second composite member within the joint path is substantially the same as an average volume fraction of the reinforcing fibers of the first composite member and the second composite member within the remainder of the fiber-reinforced component; and wherein a plurality of the reinforcing fibers of the first composite member and the second composite member are distributed within and extend across the joint path.