Metal matrix composite

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A metal matrix composite (MMC) is a type of composite material with at least two constituent parts, one being a metal. The other material may be a different metal or another material, such as a ceramic or organic compound. When at least three materials are present, it is called a hybrid composite. An MMC is complementary to a cermet.

1 Composition
- 1.1 Matrix
- 1.2 Reinforcement
2 Manufacturing and forming methods
3 Applications
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Composition

MMCs are made by dispersing a reinforcing material into a metal matrix. The reinforcement surface can be coated to prevent a chemical reaction with the matrix. For example, carbon fibers are commonly used in aluminum matrix to synthesize composites containing low density and high strength. However, carbon reacts with aluminum to generate a brittle and water-soluble compound Al₄C₃ on the surface of the fiber. To prevent this reaction, the carbon fibers are coated with nickel or titanium boride.

[edit] Matrix

The matrix is the monolithic material into which the reinforcement is embedded, and is completely continuous. This means that there is a path through the matrix to any point in the material, unlike two materials sandwiched together. In structural applications, the matrix is usually a lighter metal such as aluminum, magnesium, or titanium, and provides a compliant support for the reinforcement. In high temperature applications, cobalt and cobalt-nickel alloy matricies are common.

[edit] Reinforcement

The reinforcement material is embedded into the matrix. The reinforcement does not always serve a purely structural task (reinforcing the compound), but is also used to change physical properties such as wear resistance, friction coefficient, or thermal conductivity. The reinforcement can be either continuous, or discontinuous. Discontinuous MMCs can be isotropic, and can be worked with standard metalworking techniques.

Continuous reinforcement uses monofilament wires or fibers such as carbon fiber or silicon carbide. Because the fibers are embedded into the matrix in a certain direction, the result is an anisotropic structure in which the alignment of the material affects its strength. One of the first MMCs used boron filament as reinforcement. Discontinuous reinforcement uses "whiskers", short fibers, or particles. The most common reinforcing materials in this category are alumina and silicon carbide.

The above informations are well explained in Callister

[edit] Manufacturing and forming methods

MMC manufacturing can be broken into three types: solid, liquid, and vapor.

Solid state methods

Powder blending and consolidation (powder metallurgy): Powdered metal and discontinuous reinforcement are mixed and then bonded through a process of compaction, degassing, and thermo-mechanical treatment (possibly via hot isostatic pressing (HIP) or extrusion).
Foil diffusion bonding: Layers of metal foil are sandwiched with long fibers, and then pressed through to form a matrix.

Liquid state methods

Electroplating / Electroforming: A solution containing metal ions loaded with reinforcing particles is co-deposited forming a composite material.
Stir casting: Discontinuous reinforcement is stirred into molten metal, which is allowed to solidify.
Squeeze casting: Molten metal is injected into a form with fibers preplaced inside it.
Spray deposition: Molten metal is sprayed onto a continuous fiber substrate.
Reactive processing: A chemical reaction occurs, with one of the reactants forming the matrix and the other the reinforcement.

Vapor deposition

Physical vapor deposition: The fiber is passed through a thick cloud of vaporized metal, coating it.

In situ fabrication technique

Controlled unidirectional solidification of a eutectic alloy can result in a two-phase microstructure with one of the phases, present in lamellar or fiber form, distributed in the matrix.

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[edit] Applications

Carbide drills are often made from a tough cobalt matrix with hard tungsten carbide particles inside.
Some tank armors may be made from metal matrix composites, probably steel reinforced with boron nitride. Boron nitride is a good reinforcement for steel because it is very stiff and it does not dissolve in molten steel.
Some automotive disc brakes use MMCs. Early Lotus Elise models used Aluminum MMC rotors, but they have less than optimal heat properties and Lotus has since switched back to cast-iron. Modern high-performance sport cars, such as those built by Porsche, use rotors made of carbon fiber within a silicon carbide matrix because of its high specific heat and thermal conductivity. 3M sells a preformed aluminum matrix insert for strengthening cast aluminum disc brake calipers [2], allowing them to weigh as much as 50% less while increasing stiffness.
Toyota has since used metal matrix composites in the 2ZZ-GE engine block, and the Porsche Boxster and 911 use MMCs to reinforce the engine's cylinder sleeves. (Lotus uses the 2ZZ-GE in later Elise S2 versions). The 2ZZ-GE engine is actually designed and built by Yamaha, as were the Iron-block Toyota 4A-GE, etc. Prior, Honda had already used Aluminum MMC in its high-performance engine blocks such as the H22 and later the K20.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon uses monofilament silicon carbide fibres in a titanium matrix for a structural component of the jet's landing gear.
Specialized Bicycles have used aluminium MMC compounds for their top of the range bicycle frames for several years.

MMCs are nearly always more expensive than the more conventional materials they are replacing. As a result, they are found where improved properties and performance can justify the added cost. Today these applications are found most often in aircraft components, space systems and high-end or "boutique" sports equipment. The scope of applications will certainly increase as manufacturing costs are reduced.

In comparison with conventional polymer matrix composites, MMCs are resistant to fire, can operate in wider range of temperatures, do not absorb moisture, have better electrical and thermal conductivity, are resistant to radiation, and do not display outgassing. On the other hand, MMCs tend to be more expensive, the fiber-reinforced materials may be difficult to fabricate, and the available experience in use is limited.