For the reinforcement of metal-matrix composites, four general classes of materials are commercially available: oxide fibers based primarily on alumina and alumina silica systems, nonoxide systems based on silicon carbide, boron fibers, and carbon fibers. This article discusses the key aspects of aluminum oxide fibers, silicon carbide fibers, boron fibers, and carbon fibers. The commercial fibers for reinforcement of metal-matrix composites are presented in a table. A tabulation of the coating schemes for silicon carbide monofilament fibers is also provided.

Metal-matrix composites (MMCs) are a class of materials with potential for a wide variety of structural and thermal management applications. They are nonflammable, do not outgas in a vacuum, and suffer minimal attack by organic fluids, such as fuels and solvents. This article presents an overview of the status of MMCs, and provides information on physical and mechanical properties, processing methods, distinctive features, and various types of continuously and discontinuously reinforced aluminum, magnesium, titanium, copper, superalloy, and intermetallic-matrix composites. It further discusses the property prediction and processing methods for MMCs.

This article highlights the selected applications of advanced polymer-matrix composites, metal-matrix composites, and ceramic matrix composites.

This article describes the interaction of composition, manufacturing process, and composite properties of composites. The manufacturing process includes resin-matrix, metal-matrix, and carbon/carbon matrix processing. The article discusses various mechanical properties of composites. It explores how variations in the composition, manufacturing, shop process instructions, and loading/environmental conditions can affect the use of a composite product in a performance/service life operation.

Metal-matrix composites (MMCs) are a class of materials with potential for a wide variety of structural and thermal applications. This article discusses the mechanical properties of MMCs, namely aluminum-matrix composites, titanium-matrix composites, magnesium-matrix composites, copper-matrix composites, superalloy-matrix composites, and intermetallic-matrix composites. It describes the processing methods of discontinuous aluminum MMCs which include casting processes, liquid-metal infiltration, spray deposition and powder metallurgy. The article provides useful information on aluminum MMC designation system and also describes the types of continuous fiber aluminum MMCs, including aluminum/boron MMC, aluminum/silicon carbide MMC, aluminum/graphite MMC, and aluminum/alumina MMC.

This article presents an overview of advanced composites, namely, polymer matrix composites, metal-matrix composites, ceramic-matrix composites, and carbon-matrix composites. It also provides information on the properties and applications of the composites in thermal management and electronic packaging.

This article discusses the types, properties, and uses of continuous-fiber-reinforced composites, including glass, carbon, aramid, boron, continuous silicon carbide, and aluminum oxide fiber composites. While polyester and vinyl ester resins are the most used matrix materials for commercial applications, epoxy resins, bismaleimide resins, polyimide resins, and thermoplastic resins are used for aerospace applications. The article addresses design considerations as well as product forms and fabrication processes.

This article provides a summary of the concepts discussed in the articles under the Section “Constituent Materials” in ASM Handbook, Volume 21: Composites. The Section describes the major matrix resins and reinforcing fibers used in composite materials, as well as some of the intermediate material forms available for composite fabrication.

This article focuses on the techniques used in recycling of aluminum metal matrix composites (MMCs) such as discontinuous SiC reinforced aluminum MMCs and continuous reinforced aluminum MMCs. It provides a discussion on the properties of recycled aluminum MMCs and disposal of aluminum MMCs.

This article begins with a brief history of composite materials and discusses its characteristics. It presents an introduction to the constituents, product forms, and fabrication processes of composite materials. The article concludes with a discussion on the applications of organic-matrix, metal-matrix, and ceramic-matrix composites.

Metal-matrix composites (MMCs) are a class of materials with a wide variety of structural, wear, and thermal management applications. This article discusses the primary processing methods used to manufacture discontinuous aluminum MMCs, namely, high-pressure die casting, pressure infiltration casting, liquid metal infiltration, spray deposition, and powder metallurgy methods. It describes the processing of continuous fiber-reinforced aluminum, discontinuously, reinforced titanium, and continuous fiber-reinforced titanium. The article concludes with information on work done to develop magnesium, copper, and superalloy MMCs.

Ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) are being developed for a number of high-temperature and high-performance applications in industrial, aerospace, and energy conservation sectors. This article focuses on processing, fabrication, testing, and characterization methods of CMCs, namely, discontinuously reinforced composites and continuous-fiber-reinforced composites. Processing methods include cold pressing, sintering, hot pressing, reaction bonding, melt infiltration, directed metal oxidation, sol-gel and polymer pyrolysis, self-propagating high-temperature synthesis and joining. A table summarizes the properties of various ceramic reinforcements and industrial applications of these composites.

This article discusses the mechanisms for enhancing the reliability of three types of ceramic-matrix composites: discontinuously reinforced ceramic-matrix composites, continuous fiber ceramic composites, and carbon-carbon composites. It also presents examples of their mechanical and physical properties. Examples that illustrate the properties of commercially available materials are also provided.

In general, metal-matrix composites (MMCs) are classified into three broad categories: continuous fiber-reinforced composites, discontinuous or short fiber-reinforced composites, and particle-reinforced composites. This article focuses on stir casting and melt infiltration as the two main methods of MMC solidification processing. It describes the MCC casting methods, such as sand and permanent mold casting, centrifugal casting, compocasting, and high-pressure die casting. The article discusses the MMC infiltration processes in terms of pressure infiltration casting and liquid metal infiltration. It reviews the powder metallurgy processing of aluminum MMCs and deformation processing of discontinuously reinforced aluminum composites. The article concludes with a discussion on the processing of fiber-reinforced aluminum.

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) can be synthesized by vapor phase, liquid phase, or solid phase processes. This article emphasizes the liquid phase processing where solid reinforcements are incorporated in the molten metal or alloy melt that is allowed to solidify to form a composite. It illustrates the three broad categories of MMCs depending on the aspect ratio of the reinforcing phase. The categories include continuous fiber-reinforced composites, discontinuous or short fiber-reinforced composites, and particle-reinforced composites. The article discusses the two main classes of solidification processing of composites, namely, stir casting and melt infiltration. It describes the effects of reinforcement present in the liquid alloy on solidification. The article examines the automotive, space, and electronic packaging applications of MMCs. It concludes with information on the development of select cast MMCs.

The goal of micromechanics and analysis is to use the predictive methodology to develop tailored composites and also to make accurate predictions of their performance in service. This article reviews results derived from micromechanics analyses, based on finite-element method of unidirectional fiber reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs). It discusses the elastic deformation and elastic-plastic deformation analysis of discontinuously reinforced MMCs. The article provides an overview of analysis of strength, fatigue, and fracture toughness for macromechanics fiber-reinforced and discontinuous reinforced composites.

The applications of discontinuously reinforced ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) fall into four major categories, namely, cutting tool inserts; wear-resistant parts; aerospace and military applications; and other industrial applications, including engines and energy-related applications. This article provides examples for these four categories, with an emphasis on those applications/materials that have achieved commercial viability. The applications for continuous fiber ceramic composites are also summarized.

Metal-matrix composites (MMCs) are used in structural applications, and in applications requiring wear resistance, thermal management, and weight savings. This article summarizes the mechanical and thermal properties of discontinuously reinforced aluminum MMCs, laminated metallic composites, and continuously aligned fiber reinforced MMCs.