ABSTRACT
The composite structures that we have been considering thus far have been filamentary reinforced metals where independently generated reinforcements have been consolidated in a metal matrix. Unidirectional solidified composites have the advantage that the reinforcing phase is grown on low energy planes in equilibrium with the metal matrix. This provides high temperature stability for the phases because there is little driving force for reinforcement matrix reactions. In binary eutectic systems the amount of reinforcing phase is dictated by the phase diagrams. In practical systems of interest, many have an insufficient amount of reinforcing phase to make them competitive with conventional alloys. The laboratory investigation of directionally solidified eutectics uses techniques which are not always suitable for larger scale commercial processes. Most investigators have used either induction or electron beam heating or a modified Bridgeman technique to form eutectic composites. The tensile strengths of several of the metal-monocarbide eutectic composites as a function of temperature in the uniaxial direction.
