This project examines the use of titanium-aluminum carbides as a possible reinforcement in titanium- and nickel-matrix composites. The process of producing limited amounts of the fibers was demonstrated previously in a Phase I project. The fiber is a titanium/aluminum carbide, Ti3AlC, formed from plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (PACVD) onto a graphite fiber tow. In the Phase II program the PACVD process is optimized using a laboratory scale continuous system to produce Ti3AlC multifilament tows and Ti3AlC deposits on substrates other than graphite. Attention is directed towards matching coefficient of thermal expansions of the fiber and matrix. The properties of the fiber and its performance in metal composites is examined. High strength, stable fibers are important for reinforcing metal matrix composites. Application of the fibers under development here could include composites for structural and engine components in aerospace systems and energy conversion devices.
