Abstract: An improved carbon/metal composite which includes a carbon matrix and metal fibers distributed in the carbon matrix. The improvement is that the metal fibers are selected from (A) metal fibers in which the surfaces of at least a portion of the fibers are coated or alloyed with another material which has a tendency to form carbides which is equal to or lower than that of the metal constituting the metal fibers, (B) metal fibers including at least two different types of metal fibers which differ with respect to their dimensions and/or material, and (C) metal fibers distributed in the carbon matrix in such a manner that their content varies along the thickness of the composite, thereby imparting to the composite improved properties with respect to at least one of mechanical strength, impact resistance, wear resistance, and electric conductivity.

Abstract: An improved carbon/metal composite is disclosed which comprises a carbon matrix and metal fibers distributed in the carbon matrix. The improvement is that the metal fibers are selected from (A) metal fibers in which the surfaces of at least a portion of the fibers are coated or alloyed with another material which has a tendency to form carbides which is equal to or lower than that of the metal constituting the metal fibers, (B) metal fibers comprising at least two different types of metal fibers which differ with respect to their dimensions and/or material, and (C) metal fibers distributed in the carbon matrix in such a manner that their content varies along the thickness of the composite, thereby imparting to the composite improved properties with respect to at least one of mechanical strength, impact resistance, wear resistance, and electric conductivity.

Abstract: A molding process of a molding compound containing an ingredient such as a binder, e.g., pitch or a thermosetting resin which generate gas before being set, is disclosed, wherein the molding compound is heated and molded under pressure according to a special temperature pattern. First, the molding compound may be preheated substantially uniformly to a temperature at which the binder melts and generates reaction gas. Next, temperature gradient in the direction of thickness of the molding is created while raising the temperature of the molding to an upper limit temperature so that the setting of the molding progressively advances from the higher temperature to the lower temperature side of the molding.