ABSTRACT
Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are a kind of composite material in which rigid reinforcements are embedded in a ductile metal or alloy matrix. The reinforcements can be in the form of particle, short ber, or continuous ber. MMCs combine metallic properties like ductility and toughness with ceramic characteristics like hardness and modulus, leading to greater strength in shear and compression and to higher service temperature capabilities. Interest in MMCs for use in the aerospace and automotive industries and other structural applications has increased over the past 30 years because of these attractive physical and mechanical properties. Moreover, the availability of relatively inexpensive reinforcements and the development of various processing routes to produce MMCs with reproducible microstructure and properties increase the interest on MMCs further.
