Metals metal-matrix composites

Key words infiltration, particle reinforced metals, metal matrix composites, metal foams, microcellular aluminium... 

Degischer HP, Innovative light metals, metal matrix composites and foamed aluminium Mater Des, 18(4/6), 221-226, 1997. 

Metal-matrix composites Metal membranes Metal-metal bonds Metal naphthenates Metal oleates... 

KETENES, KETENE DIhffiRS AND RELATED SUBSTANCES] (Vol 14) -metal-matrix composites [METAL-ITATRIX COMPOSITES] (Vol 16)... 

Molybdenum hexafluoride is used in the manufacture of thin films (qv) for large-scale integrated circuits (qv) commonly known as LSIC systems (3,4), in the manufacture of metallised ceramics (see MetaL-MATRIX COMPOSITES) (5), and chemical vapor deposition of molybdenum and molybdenum—tungsten alloys (see Molybdenumand molybdenum alloys) (6,7). The latter process involves the reduction of gaseous metal fluorides by hydrogen at elevated temperatures to produce metals or their alloys such as molybdenum—tungsten, molybdenum—tungsten—rhenium, or molybdenum—rhenium alloys. 

Two approaches have been taken to produce metal-matrix composites (qv) incorporation of fibers into a matrix by mechanical means and in situ preparation of a two-phase fibrous or lamellar material by controlled solidification or heat treatment. The principles of strengthening for alloys prepared by the former technique are well estabUshed (24), primarily because yielding and even fracture of these materials occurs while the reinforcing phase is elastically deformed. Under these conditions both strength and modulus increase linearly with volume fraction of reinforcement. However, the deformation of in situ, ie, eutectic, eutectoid, peritectic, or peritectoid, composites usually involves some plastic deformation of the reinforcing phase, and this presents many complexities in analysis and prediction of properties. 

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. 

There are three kinds of metal-matrix composites distinguished by type of reinforcement particle-reinforced MMCs, short fiber- or whisker-reinforced MMCs, and continuous fiber- or sheet-reinforced MMCs. Table 1 provides examples of some important reinforcements used in metal-matrix composites as well as their aspect (length/diameter) ratios and diameters. 

Table 1. Typical Reinforcements Used in Metal-Matrix Composites...

Fig. 1. Typical microstmctures of some metal-matrix composites (a) continuous alumina fiber/Mg and (b) siUcon carbide particle/Al composites.

There are several important fabrication processes for metal-matrix composites. 

Strength. Prediction of MMC strength is more compHcated than the prediction of modulus. Consider an aligned fiber-reinforced metal-matrix composite under a load P in the direction of the fibers. This load is distributed between the fiber and the matrix ... 

An important example of an MMC in situ composite is one made by directional solidification of a eutectic alloy. The strength, (, of such an in situ metal-matrix composite is given by a relationship similar to the HaH-Petch relationship used for grain boundary strengthening of metals ... 

Thermal expansion mismatch between the reinforcement and the matrix is an important consideration. Thermal mismatch is something that is difficult to avoid ia any composite, however, the overall thermal expansion characteristics of a composite can be controlled by controlling the proportion of reinforcement and matrix and the distribution of the reinforcement ia the matrix. Many models have been proposed to predict the coefficients of thermal expansion of composites, determine these coefficients experimentally, and analy2e the general thermal expansion characteristics of metal-matrix composites (29-33). 

Electronic-Grade MMCs. Metal-matrix composites can be tailored to have optimal thermal and physical properties to meet requirements of electronic packaging systems, eg, cotes, substrates, carriers, and housings. A controUed thermal expansion space tmss, ie, one having a high precision dimensional tolerance in space environment, was developed from a carbon fiber (pitch-based)/Al composite. Continuous boron fiber-reinforced aluminum composites made by diffusion bonding have been used as heat sinks in chip carrier multilayer boards. 

T. W. Clyne and P. J. Withers, M Introduction to Metal Matrix Composites, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U.K., 1993. 

Advanced Structural and Heating Materials. Molybdenum siHcide [12136-78-6] and composites of MoSi2 and siHcon carbide, SiC, have properties that allow use as high temperature stmctural materials that are stable in oxidizing environments (see Composite materials Metal-matrix composites). Molybdenum disiHcide also finds use in resistance heating elements (87,88). 

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