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Metal Matrix Composites

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Composite Materials

Abstract

Metal matrix composites consist of a metal or an alloy as the continuous matrix and a reinforcement that can be particle, short fiber or whisker, or continuous fiber. In this chapter, we first describe important techniques to process metal matrix composites, then we describe the interface region and its characteristics, properties of different metal matrix composites, and finally, we summarize different applications of metal matrix composites.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA

    Krishan K. Chawla

Authors
  1. Krishan K. Chawla
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Correspondence to Krishan K. Chawla .

Problems

Problems

  1. 6.1.

    Pressure casting is frequently used to prepare metal matrix composite. Explain why.

  2. 6.2.

    Describe some of the advantages of metal matrix composites over monolithic metals.

  3. 6.3.

    Discuss the advantages of metal matrix composites vis à vis polymer matrix composite.

  4. 6.4.

    Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of liquid metal processing vis à vis other methods of fabricating metal matrix composites.

  5. 6.5.

    Silicon carbide (0.1 μm thick) coated boron fiber was used to reinforce a metallic matrix. The SiC coating serves as a diffusion barrier coating. Estimate the time for dissolution of this coating at 700 K if the diffusion coefficient at 700 K is 10−16 m2/s.

  6. 6.6.

    The metallic matrix will generally undergo constrained plastic flow in the presence of a moderately high volume fraction of high modulus fibers. Draw schematically the stress–strain curves of a constrained metal matrix (i.e., in situ behavior) and an unconstrained metal (i.e., 100% matrix metal). Explain the difference.

  7. 6.7.

    Aluminum and magnesium are two common metal matrix materials. What is the viscosity of molten aluminum and magnesium?

  8. 6.8.

    What is the effect on viscosity of adding ceramic particles to a molten metal such as aluminum or magnesium? Discuss its implications in the processing of MMCs with respect to features such as particle size, volume fraction, etc.

  9. 6.9.

    Discuss the problem of thermal stability of unidirectionally solidified eutectic (in situ) metallic composites.

  10. 6.10.

    Discuss the use of silicon carbide particle reinforced aluminum composites in braking applications.

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Chawla, K.K. (2012). Metal Matrix Composites. In: Composite Materials. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-74365-3_6

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