Patent ID: 7507935
Filing Date: 2009-03-24
Classification: B22F,B23K,C22C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A process for manufacturing a tubular component comprising an insert made of a metal matrix composite, within which ceramic fibers extend, said process comprising: placing filaments next to each other, wherein each filament comprises a ceramic fiber coated with a metal sheath, such that the metal sheath of each filament contacts the metal sheath of an adjacent filament; welding said filaments together by laser spot welding by directing a laser beam toward contact points between two adjacent filaments so that said laser beam is perpendicular to said adjacent filaments at said contact points, wherein said laser spot welding is performed by sequentially exposing contact points of different pairs of adjacent filaments to said laser beam thereby forming an interrupted weld across a transverse direction of a bonded sheet; and draping said bonded sheet of coated filaments around a metal mandrel.