Mechanical and Wear Performances of Aluminium-Based Metal Matrix Composites: A Review

Abstract

For the comfortable and luxurious living of human beings, lakhs of products are beings produced daily and are increasing in number rapidly, using innovative technologies. So is the increasing demand for different materials to possess required properties, many a time contradicting ones like light weight and high strength. This necessity for new material with unconventional properties has paved the way to the emergence and development of materials—Metal Matrix Composites (MMC). Materials that possess required properties like high wear and corrosion resistance, good toughness, strength etc., in their fibrous form are conveniently reinforced with base metal matrix to produce MMC. Many such composites are developed for various applications, like in aerospace, automobile, and electronic systems. Development of such new composites posed different challenges in the form of their machinability, formability etc. Various research works attempted to optimize process parameters and develop mathematical models for predicting the machinability. MMCs can be prepared using different processes like Powder Metallurgy, Spray Deposition Method, stir casting, squeeze casting, and electroplating. Different works on MMCs used different production methods. Joining of MMCs is another area where some research is carried out. Some other works used different base materials and reinforcements to obtain needed properties for specific applications. Hence in this context, it is thought apt to consolidate work that is carried out during the last two decades. In this review work, the turn of events, use, and future capability of Al-MMCs in different mechanical and business applications are examined, together with the current difficulties frustrating their full market entrance.