Abstract: A solder composition and method of soldering using composite solders comprising a solder alloy and intermetallic filler particles. The intermetallic filler particles are lead-free, have high strength, wet and disperse well in solder joints, remain uniformly distributed and resist degradation on long-term aging. When added to commercial bulk or paste solders, the intermetallic particles reduce the lead content of solder joints by consuming volume in lead-tin solder, and improve the mechanical properties of the solder by inhibiting localized shear deformation and interfering with crack growth.

Abstract: A metal matrix composite component e.g. a brake disc, is provided with a protective coating to prevent displacement of the reinforcing filler in the matrix when the component is placed under load. Preferably the protective coating is metal, alloy, composite, refractory or ceramic applied e.g. by electro-plating.

Abstract: The article is constituted from a plate produced from a relatively soft first metal (1). It has, on one of its faces, a metallic element (2) in the form of a perforated sheet or a grid produced from a second metal or alloy harder than that of the plate (1). The metallic element (2) is fixed to the plate by drop-forging or stamping in order to embed it, at least partially, in this plate. The article is especially useful as a cooking vessel.

Abstract: Silver-nickel composite for electrical contacts and electrodes, particularly intended for spark plug electrodes. In order to prevent corrosive attack to the nickel components, the silver component consists of a silver alloy which is impervious to oxygen, and the nickel component is comprised of nickel or of a nickel alloy. This facilitates the manufacture of contacts and electrodes which have a long service life.

Abstract: The object comprises a glass-metal film (1) with a metal matrix (2) which has solidified in an at least partly glass-like form and which may comprise hard particles (3, 3a) in the form of primary precipitates from the molten mass. The glass-metal film (1) is provided on at least one side (4) with a top layer (5) comprising a hard material which is harder than the glass-metal film (1). The top layer (5) may be formed by a base layer (7) with embedded hard material particles (8), e.g. of diamond or cubic boron nitride, or by a homogeneous hard material, e.g. diamond-like carbon. The result is a surface quality which can be separately influenced by the composition of the alloy of the glass-metal film (1). The object may be formed either as a parting tool or as a structural part with special wear and/or sliding properties.

Abstract: A rotary seal member, such as a gas turbine engine blade, is provided with an improved surface layer which has an elastic modulus matched with the elastic modulus of a substrate of the member. Also, the surface layer does not form a brittle intermetallic with the substrate at an intended operating temperature. In one form, the surface layer includes abrasive particles adapted to inhibit chemical reaction with the layer material. One specific example is a Ti-alloy substrate having a metallurgically bonded layer based on Nb, and including cubic boron nitride abrasive particles coated with cobalt entrapped in the layer.

Abstract: Thin film media characterized by the utilization of a substantially peritectic seed alloy layer which is sputter deposited so as to provide dispersed, substantially peritectic and homogenous globules underlying subsequently deposited media layers. These media layers may include a metal layer such as chrome and a magnetic layer such as an alloy of cobalt, chromium, and platinum and possibly other ingredients.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based alloy are provided. The matrix is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expressions:Nb.sub.balance -Ti.sub.27-40.5 -Al.sub.4.5-10.5 -Hf.sub.1.5-5.5 -Cr.sub.4.5-7.9 -V.sub.0-6,orNb.sub.balance -Ti.sub.27-40.5 -Al.sub.4.5-10.5 -Hf.sub.1.5-5.5 -Cr.sub.4.5-7.9 -V.sub.0-6 -Zr.sub.0-1 C.sub.0-0.5.The reinforcement may be in the form of strands of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: A high temperature abrasion resistant copper alloy suitable for the material of engine parts such as valve seats and valve guides. The copper alloy comprising aluminum in an amount ranging from 1.0 to 15.0% by weight; at least one element selected from the group consisting of vanadium, niobium and tantalum in the group Va of the periodic table of elements, in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5.0% by weight; and balance containing copper and impurities. The copper alloy has a structure in which at least one of intermetallic compounds is dispersed. each intermetallic compound contains at least one metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum and copper and at least one element selected from the group consisting of elements of the group Va of the periodic table. This copper alloy exhibits also high oxidation resistance and corrosion resistance at high temperatures.

Abstract: A method of combining a metal component and a base metal of an article to form a pattern of the article. The method comprises applying the metal component to a carrier, the metal component shaped like the pattern; placing the metal component against the base metal; and supplying heat such that the base metal and the metal component alloy.

Abstract: A single layer film is deposited onto a substrate at room temperature from two sources, one source being a magnetic material, the other being a non-magnetic or weakly-magnetic material. The film is annealed for predetermined time in order to induce phase separation between the magnetic clusters and the non-magnetic matrix, and to form stable clusters of a size such that each magnetic particle, or cluster, comprises a single domain and has no dimensions greater than the mean free path within the particle.

Abstract: In an aluminum alloy composite material including an aluminum alloy matrix and a reinforcing material such as fibers, whisker or particles, intermetallic compounds made of Al and at least one selected from a group of Fe, Ni, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, V, W, Ta, Nb, Ti and Zr are finely dispersed in the matrix existing among reinforcing material elements so as to maintain rigidity of the matrix alloy necessary to support the reinforcing material elements at high temperature. Optimum shapes and volumetric density of such intermetallic compounds are experimentally obtained.

Abstract: An improved cast grate cooler side plate having a bottom surface containing a metal alloy insert embedded therein wherein said insert is formed from an alloy selected from the group consisting of:A. an alloy consisting essentially of, by weight,______________________________________ Carbon about 1.5-3% Chromium about 23-30% Manganese <2.5% Silicon <2.5% Nickel up to about 3% Molybdenum up to about 3% Iron essentially the balance ______________________________________B. an alloy consisting essentially of, by weight, ______________________________________ Carbon about 2.5-3.6% Chromium about 1.4-3.5% Manganese about 0.4-0.7% Silicon about 0.4-0.7% Nickel about 4.0-4.75% Iron essentially the balance ______________________________________andC. an alloy consisting essentially of, by weight, ______________________________________ Carbon about 0.25-1.6% Chromium about 3-12% Manganese <1.5% Silicon <1.5% Molybdenum <2% Vanadium <1.

Abstract: A cast article having a reinforced structural composite core is disclosed. The cast article includes a structural element which is embedded in the otherwise cast metal article. The structural element is comprised of a metal matrix composite structural core. It includes a plurality of reinforcing fibers within a metal matrix. The fibers are generally a non-metallic material such as a ceramic which degrade at a temperature below the melting temperature of the cast metal comprising the article. The metal matrix composite structural core is encased with a sheath. The sheath, attached to and completely surrounding the core, is made of the same metal as the cast metal article. In a preferred embodiment, the article is a titanium alloy strut for a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: In the present invention, there is described a setup for producing a self-supporting ceramic body or ceramic composite by the oxidation of a parent metal to form a polycrystalline ceramic material comprising the oxidation reaction product of said parent metal with an oxidant, including a vapor-phase oxidant, and optionally one or more metallic constituents dispersed throughout the polycrystalline ceramic material. The setup is used with a method which comprises the steps of providing at least a portion of said parent metal with a barrier means at least partially spaced from said parent metal for establishing at least one surface of the ceramic body, and heating said parent metal to a temperature above its melting point but below the melting point of the oxidation reaction product to form a body of molten metal. At that temperature, the molten metal is reacted with the oxidant, thus forming the oxidation reaction product.

Abstract: An internally reinforced hollow structure is described which comprises a layer of titanium metal matrix composite applied to the internal surfaces of structural segments comprising the hollow structure, the segments then being joined to form the desired hollow structure.

Abstract: A laminated metal composite of low flow stress layers and high flow stress layers is described which is formed using flow constraining elements, preferably in the shape of rings, individually placed around each of the low flow stress layers while pressure is applied to the stack to bond the layers of the composite together, to thereby restrain the flow of the low flow stress layers from the stack during the bonding. The laminated metal composite of the invention is made by the steps of forming a stack of alternate layers of low flow stress layers and high flow stress layers with each layer of low flow stress material surrounded by an individual flow constraining element, such as a ring, and then applying pressure to the top and bottom surfaces of the resulting stack to bond the dissimilar layers together, for example, by compression rolling the stack.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based cladding alloy are provided. The cladding is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb.sub.balance --Ti.sub.40-48 --Al.sub.12-22 --Hf.sub.0.5-6.The reinforcement may be in the form of plates, sheets or rods of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based reinforcing alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: Deposition of a hard film of Ti-Si-N composite material on a substrate is carried out by using a source of evaporation possessing a composition of Ti.sub.a Si.sub.b (wherein "a" and "b" stand for atomic percentages respectively falling in the ranges of 75 at % .ltoreq.a.ltoreq.85 at % and 15 at %.ltoreq.b.ltoreq.25 at %, providing a+b=100 at %). Deposition is effected by a sputtering process or ion plating process in an atmosphere of an inert gas containing a nitrogen-containing reaction gas while controlling the feed rate of the reaction gas into a chamber in such a manner that the partial pressure of nitrogen is kept constant or varied continuously or stepwise. By this method there can be obtained a film having fine TiN crystalline particles uniformly dispersed in the matrix phase of Ti-Si amorphous metal or a film of functionally gradient structure in which the ratio of fine TiN crystalline particles dispersed in the matrix phase increases continuously or stepwise in the direction of thickness of the film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of armoring a vehicle with a novel armor material. Particularly, a metal matrix composite body is formed with a filler material and an aluminum matrix metal, wherein the filler material comprises magnesia or titanium diboride and is present in an amount of at least 40 percent by volume. The metal matrix composite body is then placed on a portion of a vehicle.

Abstract: A component 10 for making Al5 Nb.sub.3 Sn superconducting wire is of plane-filling cross-section after removing temporary additions 6, 7. It consists of a central pillar 1 of aluminium (later replaced by tin) surrounded by a two-deep array of polygonal copper columns 2/2a containing niobium rods. Many (e.g. 61) components 10 are stacked together and extruded. The niobium rods adopt and retain a uniform distribution with minimum intervening material. On heat-treatment of the whole, the tin diffuses over a relatively short path and hence consistently into the rods, whereby there is formed a kilofilament Nb.sub.3 Sn wire.

Abstract: A unique design for improved creep strength with a leakage-free structure is presented for manufacture of creep-resistant pressure relief device (PRD) of valves or cylinders or any pressure vessels as a fire protection safety device, the new design being the combination of geometrical configuration of PRD body shell and composite technology wherein the relatively weak matrix phase is dispersed with strong reinforcing agent and such composite mixture of matrix phase/reinforcing agent is contained in a nonslip structure of PRD cavity with a length/diameter ration being greater than about one such that the external load is transferred to the PRD structural body via stress transfer mechanism through reinforcing agents. The PRD's or fuse plugs fabricated by techniques of the present invention exhibit pronounced creep strength and show no gas leakage under high pressure/elevated temperature conditions realized during fires.

Abstract: Reinforcement potassium hexatitanate fiber having an average fiber length of 8-30 .mu.m, an average fiber diameter of 0.2-0.7 .mu.m and a specific surface area of 2-4 m.sup.2 /g and a composite materials comprising the whiskers and a light alloy or thermoplastic resin. Also disclosed a process for producing the whiskers.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based cladding alloy are provided. The cladding is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb.sub.balance -Ti.sub.35-45 -Hf.sub.10-15.The reinforcement may be in the form of plates, sheets or rods of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based reinforcing alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: A ceramic-reinforced aluminum matrix composite is formed by contacting a molten aluminum-magnesium alloy with a permeable mass of ceramic material in the presence of a gas comprising from about 10 to 100% nitrogen, by volume, balance non-oxidizing gas, e.g., hydrogen or argon. Under these conditions, the molten alloy spontaneously infiltrates the ceramic mass under normal atmospheric pressures. A solid body of the alloy can be placed adjacent a permeable bedding of ceramic material, and brought to the molten state, preferably to at least about 700.degree. C., in order to form the aluminum matrix composite by infiltration. In addition to magnesium, auxiliary alloying elements may be employed with aluminum. The resulting composite products may contain a discontinuous aluminum nitride phase in the aluminum matrix and/or an aluminum nitride external surface layer.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy material having a surface suitable for zinc phosphate processing prepared by a process comprising the steps of (1) cleaning the aluminum alloy surface, and (2) forming a composite film layer comprising Zn metal, Ni or Mn metal, and silicon oxide on the surface of the aluminum alloy.

Abstract: An ultralow yield strength steel consisting of: from 0.01 to 0.25 wt % of hexagonal boron nitride particles having an average diameter of from 1 to 30 .mu.m; and the balance consisting of iron and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: A potassium hexatitanate whisker having a tunnel structure containing aluminum and niobium impurities in such amounts that Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 /Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5 molar ratio is 0.6 or higher and composite materials using the same. Also disclosed are processes for producing composite materials using the potassium hexatitanate whiskers having a tunnel structure with a light alloy or a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: Sintered ceramic preforms for metal matrix composites fabricated by a method comprising: (a) preparing a homogeneous mixture containing appropriate amounts of silicon-containing fibers/particulates, such as silicon carbide, at least one solvent, at least one polymer, and an oxide-containing material, such as boric acid or phosphoric acid, capable of forming a low melting silicate with a silicon oxide, such as a borosilicate; (b) shaping a green ceramic preform from the mixture, such as by injection molding; (c) removing the solvent(s) and the polymer(s); (d) oxidizing the surfaces of the silicon-containing fibers to form a layer of the silicon oxide thereon; (e) heating the preform to a temperature sufficient to react the oxide-containing material with the silicon oxide to form the low melting silicate material; (f) liquid phase sintering the fibers in the presence of liquid silicate material to strengthen the preform; and (g) cooling the sintered preform to ambient.

Abstract: This invention provides heat-conductive materials which may receive evenly the heat as applied thereto, which have an improved heat-releasing effect, which are free from fine pores on the surfaces thereof and therefore have excellent adhesiveness to thin films of plating materials or brazing materials, which have excellent compatibility with materials to be applied thereto, such as chips or sealant resins, with respect to the thermal expansion coefficients of them, and have excellent thermal conductivity, and which may have any desired thermal expansion coefficient and thermal conductivity in accordance with the use and object of them. It also provides methods of producing the heat-conductive materials.

Abstract: A metal matrix composite is produced by forming a rapidly solidified aluminum base alloy into powder. The powder is plasma sprayed onto at least one substrate having thereon a fiber reinforcing material to form a plurality of preforms. Each of the preforms has a layer of the alloy deposited thereon, and the fiber reinforcing material is present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 to 75 percent by volume thereof. The preforms are bonded together to form an engineering shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for forming metal matrix composite bodies. Specifically, in a particularly preferred embodiment for making metal matrix composite bodies by a spontaneous infiltration technique, an infiltration enhancer or an infiltration enhancer precursor or an infiltrating atmosphere are in communication with a rigidized filler material or a rigidized preform, at least at some point during the process, which permits molten matrix metal to spontaneously infiltrate the rigidized filler material or riigidized preform. A structural refractory material which holds the preform is made by forming a first precursor to the supportive structural refractory material and subsequently causing the precursor to become a rigid supportive structural member. Such spontaneous infiltration occurs without the requirement for the application of any pressure or vacuum.

Abstract: New solder compositions which can have improved mechanical properties are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the solder comprises a matrix material and magnetically dispersed particles. A desirable dispersion of the magnetic particles in the matrix material, is accomplished by applying a magnetic field to the molten matrix material containing magnetic particles and solidifying it in the presence of the magnetic field. The particle-dispersed microstructures improve the mechanical properties of the solder composition. The improved solder composition can be made into a powder to be used in solder paste, cream or reshaped while substantially retaining the improved mechanical properties.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising at least one heat-generating electronic component and a passive electronic component in association with the heat generating component. The passive component comprises a porous preform of green silicon carbide or polygranular graphite, and a metal filling the porosities of the preform which can be aluminum, an aluminum alloy, magnesium or a magnesium alloy. The preform forms about 50 to 90% by volume of the passive component.

Abstract: A synchronizer ring for performing synchronous sliding operation with and separating operation from a rotating object member, comprises a ring body having a sliding surface slidable in contact with the object member and a copper alloy flame-coated film formed on the sliding surface. The copper alloy flame-coated film has a Zn equivalent of 40 to 65, a surface porosity of 5 to 30 volume % and a thickness of 70 to 200 .mu.m. The copper alloy flame-coated film also may have a surface roughness (Rz) of 20 to 60 .mu.m, and a ceramic content of 5 to 30 weight %.

Abstract: An electric contact material containing Li oxide of 0.01 to 2.0% by weight when represented in terms of the amount of Li, oxide of at least one rare earth element of 0.05 to 0.18% by weight when represented in terms of the amount of the rare earth element, and Ag or Ag alloy as the remaining portion; an electric contact material containing Li oxide of 0.01 to 2.0% by weight when represented in terms of the amount of Li, at least one rare earth element of 0.05 to 0.18% by weight when represented in terms of the amount of the rare earth element, at least one element selected from a group consisting of In, Sn, Zn, Mn, Pd, Sb, Cu, Mg, Pb, Cd, Cr and Bi by an amount of 0.1 to 1.0% by weight (however, in the case of Zn and Mn, the amount is set less than 0.5% by weight), and/or at least one element selected from a group consisting of Fe, Ni and Co by an amount of 0.03 to 0.6% by weight, and Ag as the remaining portion; and an electric contact formed by using the above material.

Abstract: A temporary electrical junction includes a first electrical contact having a first metal surface; a second electrical contact having a second metal surface; and a plurality of particulate cores having a hardness greater than that of the first and second metal surfaces, the particulate cores being disposed between the first and second contacts. Force is applied to the first and second contacts such that the particulate cores cause elasto-plastic deformation of at least one of the first and second surfaces, such that the first and second contacts are temporarily joined together at least partly along their respective metal surfaces to complete the electrical junction.

Abstract: A composite casting for wear resistant surface has a base composed of a ductile material and a plurality of wear resistant elements embedded in the base, wherein the wear resistant elements have rounded sides and are arranged in the base so that they are flush with a surface of the base.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based cladding alloy are provided. The cladding is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb.sub.balance -Ti.sub.32-48 -Al.sub.8-16 -Cr.sub.2-12,provided that the sum (Al+Cr).ltoreq.22 a/o, and where Ti is less than 37 a/o the sum (Al+Cr).ltoreq.16a/o.The reinforcement may be in the form of plates, sheets or rods of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based reinforcing alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based cladding alloy are provided. The cladding is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb.sub.balance -Ti.sub.31-48 -Al.sub.8-21.The reinforcement may be in the form of plates, sheets or rods of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based reinforcing alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based alloy are provided. The matrix is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb.sub.balance -Ti.sub.40-48 -Al.sub.12-22 -Hf.sub.0.5-6.The reinforcement may be in the form of strands of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based alloy. The same Crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: A method for forming a ring structure having a high volume fraction of a filament reinforcement within a metal matrix is disclosed. The ring structure is formed by consolidating a set of nested rings each of which has a high volume fraction of the filamentary reinforcement therein. The nesting is done to provide a clearance between the rings of the nest of about 2 or 3 mils. The nested rings are enclosed within a HIPing can and the structure is HIPed at about 15 ksi and 1000.degree. C. for over an hour. A single superring structure results from the HIPing.

Abstract: An improved PWB thermal plane assembly having a low CTE and high thermal conductivity comprising a first and second outer layer of aluminum, at least one intermediate layer comprising a metal matrix reinforced with graphite fibers and a layer of aluminum disposed about the outside edge of said outer and intermediate layers.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based cladding alloy are provided. The cladding is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb balance-Ti32-45-Al-3-18-Hf-8-15.The reinforcement may be in the form of plates, sheets or rods of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based reinforcing alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based alloy are provided. The matrix is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb--Ti.sub.27-40.5 --Al.sub.4.5-10.5 --Hf.sub.1.5-5.5 Cr.sub.4.5-8.5 V.sub.0-6,where each metal of the metal/metal composite has a body centered cubic crystal structure, andwherein the ratio of concentrations of Ti to Nb (Ti/Nb) is greater than or equal (.gtoreq.) to 0.5, andwherein the maximum concentration of the Hf+V+Al+Cr additives is less than or equal (.ltoreq.) to the expression:16.5+(5.times.Ti/Nb),and the reinforcement may be in the form of strands of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: A composite material mixture of free flowing reinforcement particles in a molten metal is solidified at a cooling rate greater than about 15.degree. C. per second between the liquidus and solidus temperatures of the matrix alloy. This high cooling rate imparts a homogeneous structure to the solid composite material. Care is taken to avoid the introduction of gas bubbles into the molten composite material while the mixture is stirred to prevent segregation of the particles. For viscous melts, an artificial surface layer such as a fiberglass blanket may be used to prevent entrapment of bubbles during pre-casting stirring. Additionally, gas bubbles are removed from the molten mixture by filtering and skimming.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel ceramic-filled metal matrix composites and methods for making the same. Particularly, a permeable mass of filler material is spontaneously infiltrated by, for example, an aluminum alloy, in the presence of nitrogen-containing atmosphere. A reservoir feeding technique for forming metal matrix composite bodies is also disclosed. The reservoir feeding technique can also be used to form complex (e.g., a metal bonded to a metal matrix composite) metal matrix composite bodies.

Abstract: A long-life bearing steel and a long-life rolling bearing made of the steel are disclosed. In the steel, the number of oxide or oxide-based inclusion particles in a given unit area A of 160 mm.sup.3 with an average particle size of 3 to 30 .mu.m is 80 or less and an abundance of oxide or oxide-base inclusion particles with 10 .mu.m or more average particle size to oxide or oxide-based inclusion particles having an average particle size of 3 to 30 .mu.m is below 2%. An electron beam melting extraction evaluation method irradiating electron beam under the following condition guarantees the cleanness of the steel: 350 V+100.ltoreq.J.ltoreq.700 V+200, wherein J represents electric charge power in W provided by electron beam and V represents a sample volume in cm.sup.3.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based alloy are provided. The matrix is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb.sub.balance -Ti.sub.32-48 -Al.sub.8-16 -Cr.sub.2-12.The reinforcement may be in the form Of strands of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: An improved solder is provided by imbedding solder with metallized fibers. he improved solder is then used to bridge a nonmetallic gap between two separated metallic surfaces by placing the improved solder on the gap and then applying heat to cause the improved solder to melt and flow and bridge the gap and connect the two separated metallic surfaces.