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.

Cellular or foam structures can be described by means of two broader cases: foams in which the pores are all connected to each other and with the environment (open-pore foams) and foams in which every single pore is completely enclosed by the matrix (closed-pore foams). This article describes the four process groups for the production of open- and closed-pore metal foams. It discusses the principles of the foaminal process with the description of various foaming agents, solidified metal foam, and geometries and derived structures of metal foams. The use of syntactic metal foam in various fields is included. The article reviews the mechanical properties of closed-pore metal foams, details the machining and joining procedures of the metal foams, and presents the applications of the metal foam.

This article describes manufacturing procedures that produce aluminum foams and have since become industrially important and successful. It discusses the foaming of melts by blowing agents and foaming of melts by gas injection. The article focuses on aluminum foams based on the Foaminal technology, because those foams dominate the technical applications of aluminum foams. It also discusses the mechanical properties of metal foams, such as general compression behavior, elastic behavior, strain-rate sensitivity, tensile behavior, ductility, fatigue, and mechanical damping. The article concludes with information on the applications of highly porous metal structures.

This article discusses the solidification of a matrix alloy in cast metal matrix composites (MMCs). It begins with a discussion on the mixing techniques in reinforcement incorporation and wettability of reinforcement. It describes the solidification processes, such as stir mixing and melt infiltration, used in the synthesis of MMCs. The article also considers the fundamentals of the process and presents a computational modeling of particle/solidification front interactions in metal-ceramic systems. The article concludes with information on nanocomposites.

This article is a compilation of definitions for terms related to engineering materials, including plastics, elastomers, polymer-matrix composites, adhesives and sealants, ceramics, ceramic-matrix composites, glasses, and carbon-carbon composites.

Functional fusion-bonded epoxy (FBE) coatings are used as external pipe coatings, base layer for three-layer pipe-coating systems, internal pipe linings, and corrosion coatings for concrete reinforcing steel (rebar). This article provides information on the chemistries of FBE, and discusses the application procedures for internal and external FBE pipe coating. The procedures involve pipe inspection, surface preparation, heating, powder application, curing, cooling, coating inspection, and repairing. It describes the problems and solutions for FBE external pipe coatings, girth weld FBE application, FBE custom coatings, internal FBE pipe linings, and FBE rebar coatings.