MODEL-BASED SIMULATION OF THE CONSOLIDATION PROCESSING OF METAL-COATED FIBERS

The consolidation of metalized ceramic fibers by hot isostatic pressin g (HIP) offers an attractive route for the manufacture of continuous f iber reinforced titanium matrix composites (TMCs). The performance of this class of composites is controlled by the fiber/matrix properties and by the composite's relative density, the grain size of the matrix alloy and the interfacial reaction layer thickness at the fiber-matrix interface after processing. Recently developed process models that pr edict the evolution of these microstructural attributes during consoli dation processing are summarized and combined with consolidation equip ment dynamics to simulate the microstructural evolution of PVD Ti-6Al- 4V coated Sigma 1240 (SiC) monofilaments during HIP. Fur this system, diffusion accommodated grain sliding is the dominant densification mec hanism for process cycles that preserve the refined grain size of the PVD metal coating. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.