ABSTRACT
The whisker sizes generally range from 1 to 10µ cross section and from a few mm to several cm in length. The theory of whisker reinforcement was subsequently refined to consider the elastic and plastic properties of both the whisker and the matrix in the calculation of critical aspect ratios. Orientation of the whiskers can be uniaxially parallel to a single axis, randomly distributed in a plane, biaxial, or in varying longitudinal to transverse ratios. The composities can be hot worked by rolling, forging, or extrusion. Machining is accomplished by conventional means utilizing carbide tooling. Composites incorporating whiskers and several metals and alloys have been consolidated using laboratory-scale and/or modified industrial techniques. The application of powder-metallurgy techniques to whisker-aluminum or magnesium alloy composites suffers from the lack of purity and availability of sufficiently fine powders. Of all reinforcing fibers applied or considered for application in metal matrix composites, short single crystal filaments called "whiskers" are by far the strongest.
