Abstract: Improved fiber-reinforced metallic composite material comprises as a matrix a metal alloy having a lower melting point than magnesium and being chemically inactive (e.g. zinc, cadmium, indium, tin, thallium, lead, bismuth and polonium) or and as a reinforcement inorganic fibers of 15 to 70% by volume, in which the metal alloy composing the matrix contains 0.01 to 10% by weight of one or more metals of group IA or group IIA (except beryllium) in the periodic table (e.g. lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, francium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium and radium). The composite material has improved mechanical strength, and is useful as a material for various parts and apparatuses in various industrial fields such as aerospace, atomic power and automobile industries.

Abstract: Improved fiber-reinforced metallic composite material includes as a matrix a metal or alloy of aluminum, magnesium, copper, nickel or titanium and as a reinforcing material an inorganic fiber of 15 to 70% by volume, which is characteristic in that the metal alloy composing the matrix contains 0.05 to 10% by weight of lead or a combination of 0.05 to 10% by weight of lead and 0.01 to 5% by weight of one or more metals selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, calcium, strontium, cesium, barium and radium. The composite material has improved mechanical strength, particularly tensile strength, and is useful as a material for various parts and devices in various industrial fields such as the aerospace, atomic power and automobile industries.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced metal composite material comprising a metal or alloy as the matrix and an inorganic fiber as the reinforcing material, characterized in that at least one element selected from the group consisting of elements belonging to the fourth or higher periods of the group (IA) in the periodic table, elements belonging to the fifth or higher periods of the group (IIA) in the periodic table, and Bi and In in the form of simple substance or organic or inorganic compound is incorporated into either one or both of the matrix metal or the reinforcing material in an amount of 0.0005 to 10% by weight (calculated in terms of the element) so as to enhance the mechanical strength of the composite material.

Abstract: A spring useful as various machine parts or elements for various machines and apparatuses, which is made of a fiber-reinforced metallic composite material comprising a matrix metal (e.g. a metal having a melting point of not higher than 1,700.degree. C.) and a reinforcement of an inorganic fiber having high modulus of elasticity and high strength selected from a ceramic fiber and a metallic fiber, particularly an alumina or alumina-silica fiber containing alumina of 100 to 72% by weight, preferably 98 to 75% by weight, and silica of 0 to 28% by weight, preferably 2 to 25% by weight, and having substantially no .alpha.-alumina reflection by X-ray diffraction. The spring of the present invention is light in weight and has far greater heat resistance and mechanical properties in comparison with the conventional metallic or non-metallic springs, and hence is particularly valuable from the standpoint of saving energy and saving resources.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced metal composite material comprising a metal or alloy as the matrix and an inorganic fiber as the reinforcing material, characterized in that at least one element selected from the group consisting of tin, cadmium and antimony in the form of simple substance or organic or inorganic compound is incorporated into the matrix metal in an amount of 0.0005 to 10% by weight (calculated in terms of the element) so as to enhance the mechanical strength of the composite material.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced metal composite material comprising a reinforcing material and a matrix, said reinforcing material being inorganic fibers containing at least two components selected from carbon (as a simple substance), metal oxides, metal carbides, metal nitrides and metal borides, and said matrix being metal alloys containing zinc and aluminum, or zinc and magnesium as main component.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced metal composite material comprising a metal or alloy as the matrix and an inorganic fiber as the reinforcing material, characterized in that at least one element selected from the group consisting of elements belonging to the fourth or higher periods of the group (IA) in the periodic table, elements belonging to the fifth or higher periods of the group (IIA) in the periodic table, and Bi and In in the form of simple substance or organic or inorganic compound is incorporated into either one or both of the matrix metal or the reinforcing material in an amount of 0.0005 to 10% by weight (calculated in terms of the element) so as to enhance the mechanical strength of the composite material.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced metal composite material comprising a metal or alloy as the matrix and an inorganic fiber as the reinforcing material, characterized in that at least one element selected from the group consisting of tin, cadmium and antimony in the form of simple substance or organic or inorganic compound is incorporated into the matrix metal in an amount of 0.0005 to 10% by weight (calculated in terms of the element) so as to enhance the mechanical strength of the composite material.

Abstract: A process for producing a fiber-reinforced metal composite material which comprises mixing an inorganic fiber with an aluminum alloy at a temperature of not lower than the melting point of said alloy to form a composite,(1) removing the composite from the mold at a temperature of not higher than the solid phase line of said alloy (i.e. a temperature at which a liquid phase appears in said alloy) and heating the composite to a temperature of more than the solid phase line and holding the temperature (heat treatment) during a definite time (Indirect method), or(2) without allowing to cool the composite to a temperature of not higher than the solid phase line (Direct method),quenching the composite to a temperature of 200.degree. C. or lower from a temperature of higher than the solid phase line but lower than the melting temperature.

Abstract: A process for preparing a fiber-reinforced metal composite material which comprises (1) combining an inorganic fiber comprising alumina as the main component and silica as the secondary component with an aluminum alloy containing at least one of copper, silicon, magnesium and zinc as the secondary component at a temperature of not lower than the melting point of said alloy to make a composite, (2) subjecting said composite to solid solution treatment, (3) quenching the treated composite and (4) optionally tempering the quenched composite at a temperature of from 100 to 250.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a fiber-reinforced metal composite is disclosed which comprises laminating a plurality of a sheet-like precomposites comprising bundles of filaments of metal reinforcing fibers, among the filaments of which a matrix metal powder having an average particle size of not more than 1/2 of the diameter of the fiber is spread, and among bundles of which a matrix metal powder having an average particle size of 2 to 10 times the diameter of the fiber is spread, and hot-pressing the resulting laminate either in a vacuum or in an atmosphere of an inert gas.