Fabrication methods of metal matrix composites (MMCs)

Abstract To make one’s life more sustainable, humans are day by day discovering new materials. The global demand for composites is increasing rapidly because of its major applications in most industries. Pure metals or metal alloys used in various applications lack some mechanical or physical properties. So, to enhance these properties high strength materials like ceramics are used as reinforcements in metals or metal alloys and the newly fabricated material is known as MMC. The main aim of MMC fabrication is replacement of inefficient conventional metals by MMCs for enhancing their properties. Ceramics used as reinforcement are key to the sustainable development of MMCs. The phase of reinforcement in the composite can be present in the form of whiskers, particulates, or fibres. MMCs have been given more attention to their composition, manufacturing processes, etc. which gives the final product performance. This paper deals with the process for making the composites, its evolution and proportion of mixing the materials are summarized. At present Aluminium, Magnesium, Titanium, Cobalt, Cobalt-Nickel are commonly used in the form of matrix and SiC, TiC, TiO2, Gr, TiN, CBN, ZrO2, Si3N4, etc. are used as reinforcements.