Abstract: An earth-boring rotary drill bit includes a bit body configured to carry one or more cutters for engaging a subterranean earth formation, the bit body comprising a particle-matrix composite material having a plurality of hard particles dispersed throughout a matrix material, the matrix material comprising a shape memory alloy. The matrix material comprises a metal alloy configured to undergo a reversible phase transformation between an austenitic phase and a martensitic phase. The matrix material may include an Ni-based alloy, Cu-based alloy, Co-based alloy, Fe-based alloy or Ti-based alloy.

Abstract: To provide a carbon fiber Ti—Al composite material having hardness, heat resistance and abrasion resistance, having reduced weight, improved strength, elastic modulus and thermal conductivity and being excellent in the uniformity of the quality. A carbon fiber Ti—Al composite material which is prepared by pressure impregnating a molded product containing fine carbon fibers having a fiber diameter of from 0.5 to 500 nm and a carbon length of at most 1,000 ?m and having a hollow-structured central axis, carbon long fibers having a fiber diameter of from 5 to 15 ?m and a titanium powder or a titanium oxide powder, with aluminum or an aluminum alloy by molten metal forging.

Abstract: A composite material having a high thermal conductivity and a small thermal expansion coefficient, which is obtained by impregnating a porous graphitized extrudate with a metal; the composite material having such anisotropy that the thermal conductivity and the thermal expansion coefficient are 250 W/mK or more and less than 4×10?6/K, respectively, in an extrusion direction; and that the thermal conductivity and the thermal expansion coefficient are 150 W/mK or more and 10×10?6/K or less, respectively, in a direction perpendicular to the extrusion direction.

Abstract: A graphite core mold having its own cavity is pressed into a cavity of a graphite shell mold. The core cavity is filled with tungsten carbide, mixed with a nickel alloy, heated and then cooled to thereby provide a carbide matrix body. After milling the carbide matrix body to thereby provide a carbide bit body, the intact shell mold is removed and then used again.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for hardening an aluminum-based matrix alloy by the dispersion of metallized graphite (MG) with copper and optionally zinc or boron by the agitation in liquid state. By this means, the impregnating of MG particles (reinforcing phase) is increased, facilitating the homogenous distribution in the aluminum-base matrix alloy. The mechanical properties of aluminum or aluminum-based are increased alloys by the process of hardening by dispersion, without affecting the density and electrical conductivity of the alloy.

Abstract: A wet filament winding method and apparatus for producing a consolidated metal matrix composite is described. The methods are directed to winding a softened metal infiltrated fiber bundle and layering the resulting softened metal infiltrated fiber bundle onto a rotating mandrel in a prescribed pattern on the surface of the mandrel to form a consolidated metal matrix composite. Upon cooling, the matrix metal solidifies and the resulting consolidated metal matrix composite may be removed from the mandrel. The consolidated metal matrix composites may be produced in a variety of shapes, such as cylinder, a tapered cylinder, a sphere, an ovoid, a cube, a rectangular solid, a polygonal solid, and panels.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a cemented carbide piece, and a joining phase that binds the cemented carbide piece into the article. The joining phase includes inorganic particles and a matrix material. The matrix material is a metal and a metallic alloy. The melting temperature of the inorganic particles is higher than the melting temperature of the matrix material. A method includes infiltrating the space between the inorganic particles and the cemented carbide piece with a molten metal or metal alloy followed by solidification of the metal or metal alloy to form an article of manufacture.

Abstract: A cast composite material is prepared by furnishing an aluminum-based matrix alloy and forming a mixture of free-flowing boron carbide particles and the aluminum-based matrix alloy in molten form which is stirred to wet the matrix alloy to the boron carbide particles and to distribute the particles throughout the volume of the melt. The molten mixture is then cast. The fluidity of the molten mixture is maintained by (a) maintaining the magnesium content of the matrix metal below about 0.2% by weight, or (b) starting with a matrix metal containing less than 0.2% by weight magnesium and adding further magnesium to the mixture a short time before casting, or (c) having at least 0.2% by weight titanium present in the mixture.

Abstract: A forming method wherein a billet (31, 66, 77, 87, 107, 128, 136, 144, 153, 77B, 77C) comprising a metal-based composite material (27) prepared by mixing an aluminum alloy (22) and a ceramic (15) is subjected to pressure forming to manufacture a formed article, which comprises carrying out the pressure forming by the use of different compression ratios for different portions of the formed article, wherein a compression ratio means the ratio of the height of a billet before the pressure forming to height of the billet after the pressure forming. The above forming method allows the manufacture of a formed article having different volume contents 8Vf) of the ceramic for different portions thereof.

Abstract: A wear part made in a foundry is provided having a structure reinforced with at least one type of metallic carbide, and/or of metallic nitride, and/or of boride, and/or of metallic oxides, and/or of intermetallic compounds, hereafter called components. The raw materials acting as reagents for the components are put into a mold before casting in the form of inserts or preformed shapes of compacted powders or in the form of barbitones. The reaction of the powders is triggered in situ by the molten metal casting, forming a porous conglomerate in situ. The metal infiltrates the porous conglomerate, thereby making a reinforced structure so as to result in inclusion of the components in the structure of the metal used for the casting, thus creating a reinforcing structure on the wear part.

Abstract: A metal matrix nanocomposite is formed by heating a metal above its liquidus temperature, adding nanoparticles, and then agitating the mixture with high-frequency (and preferably ultrasonic) vibration. The mixture can then be cooled below the liquidus of the metal to a semisolid state, and placed in a mold to form it into some desired shape. The formed mixture can then be quenched or otherwise allowed to cool to provide an article in finished (or nearly so) form.

Abstract: Amorphous steel composites with enhanced mechanical properties and related methods for toughening amorphous steel alloys. The composites are formed from monolithic amorphous steel and hard ceramic particulates, which must be embedded in the glass matrix through melting at a temperature above the melting point for the steel but below the melting point for the ceramic. The ceramics may be carbides, nitrides, borides, iron-refractory carbides, or iron-refractory borides. An optical micrograph of such a composite including niobium carbide particulates is shown in FIG. 2A. The produced composites may be one of two types, primarily distinguished by the methods for embedding the ceramic particulates in the steel. These methods may be applied to a variety of amorphous steels as well as other non-ferrous amorphous metals, and the resulting composites can be used in various applications and utilizations.

Abstract: [Problems] A conventional process for producing a solder preform in which a predetermined amount of high-melting metal particles are directly put into molten solder and stirred, requires a long time for dispersing the high-melting metal particles by stirring. Therefore, in the conventional method for producing a solder preform, dissolution of the high-melting metal particles into the molten solder occurred during stirring, and their particle diameters became small. If a semiconductor chip and a substrate are soldered with a solder preform containing metal particles having such decreased diameters, the space between portions being soldered becomes narrow, and a sufficient bonding strength is not obtained. [Means for Solving the Problems] In the present invention, a premixed master alloy having a higher proportion of the high-melting metal particles in solder is first prepared, then the premixed master alloy is put into molten solder to disperse the high-melting metal particles.

Abstract: A method for producing a cast article comprises using a porous powder article as a sacrificial pattern. The porous powder article is preferably made using a rapid prototyping process. The porous powder article is used as a sacrificial pattern for a mold into which a molten metal is cast. Some embodiments include a step of proving the porous powder article with a ceramic coating. Methods of making molds and patterns using a porous powder article are also disclosed. The powder comprising the porous powder article may be a metal, ceramic or cermet. In some embodiments, the powder alloys with the molten casting metal. In some other embodiments, the powder and the casting metal form a composite. Sacrificial casting mold patterns comprising porous powder articles and casting molds comprising such sacrificial patterns are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pouring apparatus for molten metal includes a stirrer installed in a reservoir. The stirrer is rotated by a rotational drive mechanism installed on the reservoir. Molten solder is placed into the reservoir, high melting point metal particles are charged into the molten solder, stirring is performed with the stirrer to uniformly disperse the metal particles in the molten solder, and then the molten solder and dispersed metal particles are cast into a mold. Casting can be performed quickly after charging the metal particles into the molten solder, so the metal particles do not significantly melt into the molten solder.

Abstract: An Al—AlN composite material, a heat exchanger and a related manufacturing method are disclosed. The Al—AlN composite material aluminum is manufactured by melting aluminum to allow a layer of melted aluminum to flow in an area over one surface of an AlN plate under an inactive gas atmosphere after which the layer of melted aluminum is solidified to form an Al plate bonded to the AlN plate. The heat exchanger includes the Al—AlN composite material forming at least part of a cooling medium flow passage with the AlN plate held in thermal contact with a heating body. The manufacturing method comprises melting aluminum to allow a layer of melted aluminum to flow in an area over one surface of an AlN plate under inactive gas atmosphere, and solidifying the layer of melted aluminum to form the Al plate bonded to the AlN plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a starting product for the production of a composite material having a metallic matrix phase and a reinforcement phase, with the following steps: Providing an extruder device having a die (4), Feeding the metallic matrix phase in a first portion of the extruder device, Transport of the metallic matrix phase in the direction of the die (4), Feeding reinforcement particles forming the reinforcement phase in the region of a second portion of the extruder device, Producing a mixture formed from the reinforcement particles and the at least partially melted on metallic matrix phase and further transport of the mixture through the die (4).

Abstract: A composite of a metal matrix with one or more incorporated secondary phases is referred to as a metal matrix composite (MMC). Secondary phase refers to all the particles or fibers which have a different composition than the metal matrix, and which are incorporated therein. As incorporation phases, elements and compounds are possible which, as a result of their material characteristics, are suited for improving individual properties of the metal matrix. Besides an improvement in individual properties of the pure metal matrix as a result of the incorporated secondary phase, certain properties of the metal are also degraded, in particular by particles having a size of 1 to 50 ?m. For example, the elongation at break decreases, the strength may decrease, or the tribology may become less favorable.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a product and a method for making the product. The product is a lightweight solid porous metallic product containing small solid spheres having a coating of a primary alpha phase thereon disposed in a solid metal alloy eutectic matrix. The method includes the steps of mixing the hollow rigid spheres and a metal alloy, which metal alloy can be preheated to render it molten, in order to form a dispersion of the spheres distributed in the molten alloy; initially cooling the dispersion to render it semi-solid whereby the spheres are coated by a solid and the coated spheres are disposed in the semi-solid mixture of the solid and liquid; and finally cooling the sphere-containing semi-solid mixture to a temperature at which the sphere-containing semi-solid mixture becomes solid and the product is formed.

Abstract: Composite materials comprising a hard ceramic phase and an infiltration alloy are disclosed. The hard ceramic phase may comprise a carbide such as tungsten carbide and/or cast carbide. The infiltration alloy is Cu-based and comprises Ni and Sn. The infiltration alloy may further include Nb, and may be substantially free of Mn. The composite material may be heat treated in order to improve its mechanical properties. For example, the composition of the Cu—Ni—Sn infiltration alloy may be selected such that its hardness, wear resistance, toughness and/or transverse rupture strength are improved after the composite material is solutioned and aged at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing a low melting temperature cast metal part comprising preparing a molten metal material having a melting temperature, mixing a reinforcing material having a melting temperature greater than the melting temperature of the molten metal material into the molten metal material, pouring the molten metal material into the mold, applying a force to the reinforcing material causing the reinforcing material to occupy a predetermined portion of the mold and thereby a predetermined portion of the cast metal part, and solidifying the molten metal material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metal matrix ceramic composite (MMCC) wear-parts comprising a wearing portion formed by a ceramic cake and is impregnated by metal. The ceramic cake comprises ceramic grains and carbide grains. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the wear-parts. The invention further describes a grinding roll and a table liner for a vertical mill each comprising a metal matrix ceramic composite wear part(s) of the invention.

Abstract: A composite material composed of nanocarbon materials and metallic materials for a matrix is extrusion molded to have the nanocarbon materials oriented in one direction.

Abstract: A metallic shell used, for example as a mold, is formed by spray deposition of metallic layers over non-metallic layers as, for example, a reinforcing fabric.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite metal material includes: (a) mixing an elastomer and filler particles to obtain a composite material; and (b) mixing the composite material and a metal to obtain a composite metal material in which the filler particles are uniformly dispersed in the metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for forming a green article for subsequent sintering or infiltration. This method includes providing a mold having an internal cavity that outlines the shape of the article, introducing metal or ceramic particles into the mold in an amount sufficient to provide the article in a desired size, adding a solution comprising an organic fluxing agent onto the particles with the solution carrying the organic fluxing agent into interstices between the particles, and freezing the solution to form a solid green article. The invention also relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing dimensionally stable articles.

Abstract: A cast-bonding process includes a magnesium coating step and a magnesium nitride-forming step. The magnesium-coating step is carried out by supplying gasified magnesium into a mold in which a cast-in insert formed from an aluminum alloy, or an aluminum-based composite material is set, so that magnesium may coat the insert. The magnesium nitride-forming step is carried out by supplying nitrogen gas into the mold so that the coating magnesium and nitrogen gas may react to form magnesium nitride. Then, a molten aluminum alloy is poured into the mold for cast-bonding the insert.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a three-dimensional object includes the steps of forming a mixture that contains a binder and a least one of aluminum or a first aluminum-base alloy into a green composite, removing the binder from said green composite, forming a porous perform structure, reacting the aluminum or first aluminum base alloy with nitrogen to form a rigid and continuous skeleton and infiltrating the porous structure with molten aluminum or second aluminum base alloy to form the three-dimensional object with near theoretical density. The green composite may be formed by an additive process such as computer aided rapid prototyping, for example, selective laser sintering. The method facilitates the rapid manufacture of aluminum components by an inexpensive technique that provides high dimensional stability and high density.

Abstract: A metal-matrix material in the form of a carbide powder together with a sodium fluoride flux is deposited as a charge within a crucible for induction heating thereof to a flux melting temperature to thereby initiate pretreatment. The molten flux is spread over and covers powder particles of the metal-matrix carbide throughout, in response to stirring by rotation of an agitator during said flux melt heating within the crucible. The charge may be covered within the crucible by an air-purging blanket of argon gas during said heating. The powder fluxed charge is then cooled within the crucible before removal therefrom and sealingly packaged within aluminum soda cans or foil wrappings for future use storage. Such packaged charges are transferred from storage and introduced into a casting mold for enhanced centrifugal cast molding of metallurgical products, such as a metallic ring having an outer carbide bronze surface.

Abstract: An apparatus 1 for producing a composite material including ceramic hollow particles and one of aluminum and aluminum alloy pressurizes a gas feeding member 20, a molten stock vessel 30, a packing 50, a forming mold 60 and an air-removal ceramic filter 80 by means of an upper pressure die 11 and a lower pressure die 12 and introduces an Ar gas thereby allowing molten aluminum 40 or molten aluminum alloy 40 to infiltrate in gaps between the plural ceramic hollow particles.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a three-dimensional object includes the steps of forming a mixture that contains a binder and a least one of aluminum or a first aluminum-base alloy into a green composite, removing the binder from said green composite, forming a porous preform structure, reacting the aluminum or first aluminum base alloy with nitrogen to form a rigid skeleton and infiltrating the porous structure with molten aluminum or second aluminum base alloy to form the three-dimensional object with near theoretical density. The green composite may be formed by an additive process such as computer aided rapid prototyping, for example selective laser sintering. The method facilitates the rapid manufacture of aluminum components by an inexpensive technique that provides high dimensional stability and high density.

Abstract: The method relates to metallurgical recycling of waste products, preferably titanium alloys chips scrap. Accordingly after crushing and cleaning, the chip scrap is subjected to vacuum-thermal degassing (VTD); the chip scrap is pressed into briquettes; the briquettes are placed into a mould allowing sufficient remaining space for the addition of molten metal alloy; the mould is pre-heated before filling with the molten metal alloy; the mould remaining space is filled with molten metal alloy. After cooling, the electrode is removed from the mould. The method provides a means for 100% use of chip scrap in producing consumable electrodes having increased mechanical strength and reduced interstitial impurities content leading to improved secondary cast alloys.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a conductive injection molding composition. The thermally conductive composition includes a metallic base matrix of, by volume, between 30 and 60 percent. A first thermally conductive filler, by volume, between 25 and 60 percent is provided in the composition that has a relatively high aspect ratio of at least 10:1. In addition, an alternative embodiment of the composition mixture includes a second thermally conductive filler, by volume, between 10 and 25 percent that has a relatively low aspect ratio of 5:1 or less.

Abstract: A carbon nano material and a resin binder are plasticized and injection molded to form a preliminarily molded member. The preliminarily molded member is degreased by a heat treatment and made to a preliminarily molded porous member composed of the carbon nano material. The preliminarily molded porous member is inserted into a cavity of a product mold. A molten low melting point metal is injected into and fills the cavity. The preliminarily molded porous member is impregnated with the low melting point metal by injection pressure, thereby a composite metal product composed of the low melting point metal material integrally composited with the carbon nano material is molded. With the above arrangement, the characteristics of the carbon nano material are applied to the composite metal product to improve the functions thereof.

Abstract: A low melting point metal material is made to a thixotropic state in which liquid phases and solid phases coexists. In the thixotropic state of the low melting point metal material, a carbon nano material is kneaded with the low melting point metal material and forms a composite material. Thus obtained composite material is supplied to a metal molding machine and injected into a mold in a thixotropic state or a completely molten state of the metal so that the composite material fills the mold, thereby the composite material is molded to a composite metal product. With the above process, it is possible to injection mold the composite metal product to which the characteristics of the carbon nano material are applied.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a three-dimensional object includes the steps of forming a mixture that contains a binder, a wetting agent, and a least one of aluminum or a first aluminum-base alloy into a green composite, removing the binder from said green composite forming a porous preform structure and infiltrating the porous preform structure with a molten second aluminum base alloy to form the three-dimensional object with near theoretical density. The wetting agent assists in wetting during infiltration. The green composite may be formed by an additive process such as computer aided rapid prototyping, for example selective laser sintering. The method facilitates the rapid manufacture of aluminum components by an inexpensive technique that provides high dimensional stability and high density.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing semi-finished or finished products from metal-based material. The apparatus includes a mixing furnace to receive a metal-based material to be formed; temperature control means to maintain the metal-based material in a thixotropic semi-solid state in the mixing furnace; rotatable mixing means operable in the mixing furnace to subject the metal-based material to a mixing and shearing action while imparting a centrifugal force; and supply means to move the material to a delivery site. Optionally, injection means are provided to inject the material from an introduction chamber of a casting machine into a mold or die cavity while the material is in a thixotropic semi-solid state.

Abstract: An apparatus 1 for producing a composite material including ceramic hollow particles and one of aluminum and aluminum alloy pressurizes a gas feeding member 20, a molten stock vessel 30, a packing 50, a forming mold 60 and an air-removal ceramic filter 80 by means of an upper pressure die 11 and a lower pressure die 12 and introduces an Ar gas thereby allowing molten aluminum 40 or molten aluminum alloy 40 to infiltrate in gaps between the plural ceramic hollow particles.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a three-dimensional object includes the steps of forming a mixture that contains a binder and a least one of aluminum or a first aluminum-base alloy into a green composite, removing the binder from said green composite forming a porous preform structure and infiltrating the porous structure with a molten second aluminum base alloy to form the three-dimensional object with near theoretical density. The green composite may be formed by an additive process such as computer aided rapid prototyping, for example selective laser sintering. The method facilitates the rapid manufacture of aluminum components by an inexpensive technique that provides high dimensional stability and high density.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to new processes in which electromagnetic levitation forces are used to infiltrate a porous matrix with a solid infiltrant. In such processes, controlled heating of these components, melting the infiltrant while both components are subjected to levitation forces, and containerless transportation and subsequent contact of both components results in the infiltration of the porous matrix. Such containerless processing provides for infiltrated porous matrices which are free of contaminants generally introduced by the containers used in traditional methods of infiltration.

Abstract: A composite of a metal matrix with one or more incorporated secondary phases is referred to as a metal matrix composite (MMC). Secondary phase refers to all the particles or fibers which have a different composition than the metal matrix, and which are incorporated therein. As incorporation phases, elements and compounds are possible which, as a result of their material characteristics, are suited for improving individual properties of the metal matrix.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to porous metal products including ceramic particles, where the initial surface layer (12) of the particles (10) is modified with agents that interact with surface oxygen, oxides and/or hydroxides to improve the wettability of particles within a molten metal alloy, and where the ceramic particles (10) are modified (14) by contacting the particles with a surface-modifying agent and heating the ceramic particles and surface-modifying agent to an elevated temperature at which the ceramic particle remains substantially stable and the surface-modifying agent becomes at least partially thermally unstable, to cause a reacted layer (16).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing composite materials are provided. In a first embodiment, a binding material is placed on a heat-resistant filter that is placed on hollow particles in a pressurizable container. Under pressure and heat, the binding material flows through the filter and infiltrates the spaces between the hollow particles. In a further embodiment, composite material wire is produced by coating the surfaces of inorganic fiber bundles with a metal oxide by dipping in a solution of a hydrolyzable organic metal compound and hydrolyzing and heat-treating prior to continuous infiltration under pressure.

Abstract: Methods and materials for preparing investment molds useful in pressure infiltration casting of near net-shape metal or metal matrix composite (MMC) components. One embodiment of the invention includes disposing a slurry of an appropriately sized refractory material and a vehicle around a preform or fugitive pattern, removing the bulk of the vehicle, then curing/drying the refractory material to create an investment mold of the invention. Subsequently, pressure infiltration casting with a molten infiltrant using the investment mold permits infiltration of the mold cavity and/or preform without infiltration of the investment mold. As a result, the investment mold readily is removed to provide the near net-shape metal or MMC component. In other embodiments of the invention, a non-fugitive pattern is used, typically with a modified refractory cement of the invention.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal matrix composite having improved properties includes the step of forming a sintered ceramic preform including a network of uniformly distributed ceramic particles having a particle size of 1 micron or less and being bonded together at their points of contact by sintering. After sintering to form a preform, the preform is placed in a mold and infiltrated with molten metal. The molten metal is then solidified to form a shaped body. This shaped body is then subjected to sufficient strain to eliminate at least 50% and preferably 80% of the bonds in the network. The shaped body is then subjected to a metal forming step such as wrought or semisolid forming.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a three-dimensional object includes the steps of forming a mixture that contains a binder, a wetting agent, and a least one of aluminum or a first aluminum-base alloy into a green composite, removing the binder from said green composite forming a porous preform structure and infiltrating the porous preform structure with a molten second aluminum base alloy to form the three-dimensional object with near theoretical density. The wetting agent assists in wetting during infiltration. The green composite may be formed by an additive process such as computer aided rapid prototyping, for example selective laser sintering. The method facilitates the rapid manufacture of aluminum components by an inexpensive technique that provides high dimensional stability and high density.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a three-dimensional object includes the steps of forming a mixture that contains a binder and a least one of aluminum or a first aluminum-base alloy into a green composite, removing the binder from said green composite forming a porous preform structure and infiltrating the porous structure with a molten second aluminum base alloy to form the three-dimensional object with near theoretical density. The green composite may be formed by an additive process such as computer aided rapid prototyping, for example selective laser sintering. The method facilitates the rapid manufacture of aluminum components by an inexpensive technique that provides high dimensional stability and high density.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed towards a carrier of a motor vehicle. The carrier is formed of a first portion and the second portion. The first portion is made of aluminum having ceramic particles reinforcing the aluminum matrix. The second portion is made of unreinforced aluminum metal or metal alloy. Preferably the second portion is present in form of discrete pockets in the first portion and is adapted to be machined or welded.

Abstract: A method for producing an aluminum nitride/aluminum base composite material comprising the steps of; (A) charging aluminum nitride powder into a container provided in a molten metal pressure apparatus, (B) applying pressure to the aluminum nitride powder in the container, (C) pouring a molten aluminum base material into the container, and, (D) applying pressure to the molten aluminum base material in the container to fill the aluminum base material in space between the aluminum nitride powder particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing composite materials are provided. In a first embodiment, a binding material is placed on a heat-resistant filter that is placed on hollow particles in a pressurizable container. Under pressure and heat, the binding material flows through the filter and infiltrates the spaces between the hollow particles. In a further embodiment, composite material wire is produced by coating the surfaces of inorganic fiber bundles with a metal oxide by dipping in a solution of a hydrolyzable organic metal compound and hydrolyzing and heat-treating prior to continuous infiltration under pressure. In a further embodiment, the apparatus includes orifices with enlarged diameter sections. In a still further embodiment, an apparatus is provided with ultrasonic vibration.