Reinforcement member, method of manufacturing reinforcement member, and engine block

Abstract

A reinforcement member, wherein a part of the reinforcement member is formed of a laminated structure (102) obtained by laminating a large number of steel plates (105) having openings (106) formed therein. A hollow portion (107) is formed in the laminated structure (102) to reduce the weight thereof. Also, porous bodies (103) formed of nonwoven fabric of metal fiber are disposed on the surfaces of the laminated structure in contact with matrixes to increase the adhesiveness thereof to the matrixes so as to prevent the separation of the reinforcement member from the matrixes. A cast product of light metal using the reinforcement member is small in thermal expansion though its weight is small and, for example, suitable for the journal part of an engine block.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a reinforcing member for reinforcing light metals used in automobile parts, aircraft parts, and the like. Background technique [0002] Aluminum alloys are used in many fields, such as automobile parts and aircraft parts, to achieve weight reduction. Aluminum alloys have the advantage of being lightweight, but have the problem of large thermal expansion when exposed to high temperatures. [0003] For example, in order to achieve weight reduction, it is known to form an engine body of an automobile engine from an aluminum alloy. In the engine body, there is a journal portion (journal bearing portion) which is a bearing for supporting the crankshaft. [0004] In the case where the engine body is formed of an aluminum alloy for weight reduction as described above, it is desirable that the journal also be formed of an aluminum alloy. This is because if there is a difference in thermal expansion rate among the parts const...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

First, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, although thermal expansion is suppressed, the adhesion between the aluminum alloy material and the iron-based material that is a reinforcing member is poor, and the iron-based material is peeled off from the aluminum alloy material.

Therefore, as a composite material, there is a problem that the strength is low and the effect of suppressing thermal expansion is reduced due to the peeling.

Therefore, when it is applied to the structure of the journal, it is not ideal because it tends to generate noise or vibration.

In addition, since iron-based materials are used, the weight becomes heavy, which is not ideal for the purpose of weight reduction

[0012] Although the technology described in Patent Document 2 is a technology for improving the adhesion between the aluminum alloy material and the iron-based material that is the reinforcing member, it still requires a plating process and an annealing process, which increases the cost.

In the technology described in Patent Document 3, a metal matrix composite material must be separately produced, and a heat treatment process is required, which increases the cost

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