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Abstract

An improved method of forming a filamentary reinforced article includes forming a preform of metal and filament layers by winding material around an axis. The resulting layered preform is enclosed in a fluid tight housing. The housing has a rigid frame which bounds the periphery of the preform. The housing also has flexible panel sections which extend inwardly from the frame across the preform. To bond the layers of the preform together and increase the density of the preform, the housing is subjected to a hot isostatic pressing operation. During the hot isostatic pressing operation, fluid pressure forces against the housing plastically deform the panel sections of the housing inwardly in a direction parallel to the axis around which the layers of the preform were wound to apply axial deformation forces to opposite sides of the preform. The deformation forces plastically deform the layers of the preform by decreasing the distance between minor side surfaces and increasing the distance between major side surfaces of the layers. This results in densification and bonding of the layers of the preform without subjecting the filaments of the preform to axial tension or compression stresses.

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