Fibre-reinforced metal matrix composites --a review

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand from automotive, space and aeronautical industries for materials possessing high specific strength, better wear resistance and stability at high temperatures. The process of improving the properties of conventional engineering materials has led to the technique of reinforcing polymers, ceramics and metals with particles, fibres and whiskers, thus leading to the production of composites. Because of the higher ductility and ease of fabrication than ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) and better environmental stability and stiffness than polymer matrix composites (PMCs), metal matrix composites (MMCs) have become popular and are widely used. This paper outlines the various production techniques and mechanical properties of MMCs. Further, it shows that Al and Zn-based oarnposites exhibit tremendous improvement in all mechanical properties as compared to the unreinforced base alloy.