Abstract
Aluminum matrix composites have evolved from continuous fiber composites, boron fiber/aluminum and graphite fiber aluminum, to whisker and particle reinforced aluminum during this time. The limited applications for continuous fiber composites, Space shuttle tube truss and Hubble telescope high gain antenna boom have evolved into more wide-spread applications such as heat sinks for high power electronics, helicopter transmission parts and power transfer components, as well as spent fuel containment components for the nuclear power industry. This paper discusses the manufacturing process that have been developed to allow the production of components as well as the property combinations that made the applications viable. Single ply vacuum hot pressed composite sheets have evolved into powder consolidated 400 kg billets that are extruded and rolled or forged into final shape. All of these innovations have made the aluminum composites more attractive from a cost standpoint. This is the ultimate driving force, good properties at an acceptable price.
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Harrigan, W.C. (2018). Aluminum Matrix Composites 1970–2017. In: Srivatsan, T., Zhang, Y., Harrigan, Jr., W. (eds) Metal-Matrix Composites Innovations, Advances and Applications . TMS 2018. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72853-7_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72853-7_1
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