Matrix Composites MMCs

Discontinuously Reinfbiced MMCs Discontinuously reinforced MMCs (particulates, whisker, platelets) are produced by either liquid- or solid-state processing [358-360]. Three different processes are used commercially used for hquid-state processing  

Preform infiltration This process usually involves the infiltration of a preform of fibers or particulate reinforcement with a liquid metal. Depending on the wetting characteristics and the type of alloy, either pressureless or pressure-assisted infiltration can be used. 

Spray deposition The spray deposition process, which was developed by Osprey Ltd during the late 1970s for producing monolithic alloys [365], has been adapted by several manufacturers to produce particulate-reinforced MMC billets with a residual porosity of 5% [366]. The porosity is eliminated by a secondary processing, such as extrusion or rolling. A spray gun is used to produce an atomized stream of aluminum alloy, into which heated SiC particles are injected. An optimum particle size is 

Whisker-reinforced composites can also be manufactured by this process, although a homogeneous composite structure can often be difficult to achieve with whiskers as they can form tangled agglomerates during the blending process. 

Continuously Reinforced MMCs For the production of continuous fiber-reinforced MMCs, the above-described methods of preform infiltration also apply. 

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Metal-Matrix Composites. A metal-matrix composite (MMC) is comprised of a metal ahoy, less than 50% by volume that is reinforced by one or more constituents with a significantly higher elastic modulus. Reinforcement materials include carbides, oxides, graphite, borides, intermetahics or even polymeric products. These materials can be used in the form of whiskers, continuous or discontinuous fibers, or particles. Matrices can be made from metal ahoys of Mg, Al, Ti, Cu, Ni or Fe. In addition, intermetahic compounds such as titanium and nickel aluminides, Ti Al and Ni Al, respectively, are also used as a matrix material (58,59). P/M MMC can be formed by a variety of full-density hot consolidation processes, including hot pressing, hot isostatic pressing, extmsion, or forging. 

A composite material (1) is a material consisting of two or more physically and/or chemically distinct, suitably arranged or distributed phases, generally having characteristics different from those of any components in isolation. Usually one component acts as a matrix in which the reinforcing phase is distributed. When the continuous phase or matrix is a metal, the composite is a metal-matrix composite (MMC). The reinforcement can be in the form of particles, whiskers, short fibers, or continuous fibers (see Composite materials). 

Applied Sciences, Inc. has, in the past few years, used the fixed catalyst fiber to fabricate and analyze VGCF-reinforced composites which could be candidate materials for thermal management substrates in high density, high power electronic devices and space power system radiator fins and high performance applications such as plasma facing components in experimental nuclear fusion reactors. These composites include carbon/carbon (CC) composites, polymer matrix composites, and metal matrix composites (MMC). Measurements have been made of thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), tensile strength, and tensile modulus. Representative results are described below. 

Often there is a borrowing of terms between metal-intense materials science and polymer-intense materials science where there is actually little relationship between the two. This is not the case with metal-matrix composites (MMCs). Although the materials are often different, there are a number of similarities. For polymer-intense composites, the matrix materials are organic polymers. For MMCs, the matrix materials are typically a metal or less likely an alloy. Popular metals include aluminum, copper, copper-alloys, magnesium, titanium, and superalloys. ... 

Most fiber-matrix composites (FMCs) are named according to the type of matrix involved. Metal-matrix composites (MMCs), ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs), and polymer-matrix composites (PMCs) have completely different structures and completely different applications. Oftentimes the temperatnre at which the composite mnst operate dictates which type of matrix material is to be nsed. The maximum operating temperatures of the three types of FMCs are listed in Table 1.27. 

Meial Mairix Composites. Silicon carbide particles are contributing to easy-to-cast metal-matrix composites (MMCs). When compared with their non-reinforced counterparts, the SiCp/Al components are more wear resistant, stiffer, and stronger, accompanied by improved thermal stability. Additional advantages include lower density and lower cost. Nearly all prior aluminum MMCs required labor-intensive methods, such as powder metallurgy, diffusion bonding, squeeze casting, or thermal spraying. 

Ceramic-Fiber Reinforced Metal-Matrix Composites (MMCs)... 

Data regarding the effects of cyclic loading and creep on the life of brittle matrix composites are limited. The concepts to be developed thus draw upon knowledge and experience gained with other composite systems, such as metal matrix composites (MMCs) and polymer matrix composites (PMCs). The overall philosophy is depicted in Fig. 1.7. 

In some applications the lack of toughness of ceramics or CMCs prohibits their use. In cases where enhanced stiffness, wear resistance, or elevated temperature capabilities greater than those provided by metals are necessary, metal matrix composites (MMCs) offer a reasonable compromise between ceramics or CMCs and metals. Typically, MMCs have discrete ceramic particulate or fiber reinforcement contained within a metal matrix. In comparison to CMCs, MMCs tend to be more workable and more easily formed, less brittle, and more flaw tolerant. These gains come primarily at the expense of a loss of high-temperature mechanical properties and chemical stability offered by CMCs. These materials thus offer an intermediate set of properties between metals and ceramics, though somewhat closer to metals than ceramics or CMCs. Nonetheless, like ceramic matrix composites, they involve physical mixtures of different materials that are exposed to elevated temperature processes, and therefore evoke similar thermodyamic considerations for reinforcement stability. 

Metal matrix composites (MMC) consisting of fibers embedded in a metal ceramic matrix. Fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibers. 

Weinert K, Konig W (1993) A consideration of tool wear mechanism when machining metal matrix composites (MMC). Ann CIRP 42(l) 95-98 Yuan ZJ, Geng I, Dong S (1993) Ultraprecision machining of SiCw/Al composites. Ann CIRP42(1) 107-109... 

Composite materials can also be broadly classified based simply on the matrix material used. This is often done more for processing than for performance purposes. Thus there are polymer-matrix composites (PMCs), ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs), or metal-matrix composites (MMCs). The last type is an advanced composite uncommon in biomedical applications and is mostly used for high-temperature applications. 

The use of whiskers as reinforcement in metallic matrix composites (MMCs) is described in Section 4.4.1.10. 

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