Applicability of metallic reinforcements for mechanical performance enhancement in metal matrix composites: a review

Abstract

The growing application of metal matrix composites (MMCs) in structural and reliability critical applications has placed higher premium on good combinations of strength, ductility and toughness, in which ceramic reinforced MMCs currently face limitations. Metallic reinforcements have hence come under consideration as replacements of ceramics due to their good wettability and inherent ductility and toughness. This review covers the use of metallic reinforcements in Al, Mg, Cu and Zn-Al metal matrices and the mechanical behaviour of the developed composites. The performance advantages and some concerns with the use of these alternative reinforcements are also highlighted, and the future possibilities in optimizing mechanical performance of MMCs are posited in the paper.

Keywords

• metal matrix composites
• metallic reinforcements
• ductility
• toughness
• wettability
• mechanical performance