Solid and hollow diamond fibres have been manufactured by chemical vap
our deposition (CVD) on to tungsten wires and coils. The fibres were c
oated with metal matrices by sputter deposition. The matrices were Cu,
Al, and ri-alloy. The coated fibres were then consolidated by hot pre
ssing to metal-matrix composites, The properties of the composites are
compared with current composites. Copper and aluminium composites hav
e potential for high stiffness thermal conductors, and Al and Ti-alloy
are attractive light-weight high stiffness materials for aerospace ap
plications. In combination with hollow fibres, lower density and highe
r compressive stiffness are expected. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.