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.

This article reviews the abrasive and adhesive wear failure of several types of reinforced polymers, including particulate-reinforced polymers, short-fiber reinforced polymers (SFRP), continuous unidirectional fiber reinforced polymers (FRP), particulate-filled composites, mixed composites (SFRP and particulate-filled), unidirectional FRP composites, and fabric reinforced composites. Friction and wear performance of the composites, correlation of performance with various materials properties, and studies on wear-of failure mechanisms by scanning electron microscopy are discussed for each of these types.

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.

Reinforced polymers (RPs) are widely used in structural, industrial, automotive, and engineering applications due to their ecofriendly nature and the potential to manipulate their properties. This article addresses the technical synthesis of RPs, referring to their tribological behavior, to provide insights into the contribution and interaction of influential parameters on the wear behavior of polymers. It provides a brief discussion on the effects of significant parameters on RP tribology. The article describes abrasive and adhesive wear and provides a theoretical synthesis of the literature regarding the wear mechanisms of RPs. It also describes the synthesis of abrasive wear failure of different types of RPs and highlights the contribution of these influential parameters. The article addresses the synthesis of adhesive wear failure of different types of RPs.

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.

Open molding is the method used in the polymer-matrix composites industry to make thermoset composite products. This article discusses the advantages, disadvantages, and applications of the open molding. It describes the various process of the open molding, such as hand lay-up process and spray-up process. Workmanship for hand lay-up and spray-up processes is reviewed. The article provides information on the matrix-resin materials used for open molding, including unsaturated polyester resins, epoxy vinyl ester resins, and reinforcements. It explains the component design and short- and long-term properties of a fiber reinforced composite laminate depending on material selection and workmanship. The article also presents the basic design guidelines for open molding.

The design and analysis of aerospace and industrial composite components and assemblies requires a detailed knowledge of materials properties, which, in turn, depend on the manufacturing, machining, and assembly methods used. This article, through several tables and graphs, provides the mechanical properties, physical properties, and service characteristics of representative composite fiber-resin combinations, including thermoplastic matrix composites such as thermoplastic polyester resins, thermoplastic polyamide resins, and thermoplastic polysulfone resins, and thermoset matrix composites such as thermoset polyester resins, thermoset phenolic resins, thermoset epoxy resins, thermoset polyimide resins, and thermoset bismaleimide resins.

This article discusses the materials and properties of polymer-matrix composites to characterize each generic material according to its composition and method of manufacture. It contains a table that lists the key physical, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, and in-service conditions of concern for resin-matrix composites. Axes definitions, symbols, and special property calculations for composite material property tests are reviewed. The article provides an overview of the performance capabilities of selected polymer-matrix composite materials such as thermoplastic-matrix composites and thermoset-matrix composites. The thermoplastic-matrix composites include thermoplastic polyester resins and fiber resin composites; thermoplastic polyamide resins and fiber-resin composites; and thermoplastic polysulfone resins and fiber-resin composites.

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.

Fiber-matrix adhesion is a variable to be optimized in order to get the best properties and performance in composite materials. This article schematically illustrates fiber matrix interphase for composite materials. It discusses thermodynamics of interphase in terms of surface energy, contact angle, work of adhesion, solid surface energy, and wetting and wicking. The article describes the change in interphase depending on the reinforcing fiber such as glass fiber, polymeric fiber, and carbon fiber. It emphasizes fiber-matrix adhesion measurements by direct methods, indirect methods, and composite laminate tests. The effects of interphase and fiber-matrix adhesion on composite mechanical properties, such as composite on-axis properties, composite off-axis properties, and composite fracture properties, are also discussed.

Composites, particularly fiber-reinforced polymer materials, are increasingly being adopted or considered as alternatives to conventional materials for civil infrastructure applications, such as bridges, buildings, waterfront structures, waste treatment facilities, and facilities for transmission and transport of utilities. This article provides information on seismic retrofit applications and discusses the repair and strengthening of components, such as beams, slabs, large-diameter pipes, and bridge decks.

This article describes the characteristics of thermoplastic composites and its material forms. It presents the steps and considerations in manufacturing the thermoplastic composites. The article describes the various techniques of manufacturing, such as consolidation, autoclave molding, diaphragm forming, compression molding, roll forming, bladder molding, liquid molding, filament winding, and pultrusion.

This article provides the general mechanical testing guidelines for the characterization of lamina and laminate properties. Guidelines are provided for tensile property, compressive property, shear property, flexure property, fracture toughness, and fatigue property test methods. The article also tabulates selected standards for lamina and laminate mechanical testing.

This article begins with a discussion on the driving forces for recycling composites. It reviews the recycling process of thermoset-matrix composites and thermoplastic-matrix composites. The recycling of thermoset-matrix composites includes regrind, chemical, energy recovery, and thermal processes. Thermoplastic-matrix composites are recycled by regrinding, compounding/blending and reprocessing. The article concludes with discussion on the properties of recycled composite fibers.

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.

Testing of fiber-reinforced composite materials is performed to determine uniaxial tensile strength, Young's modulus, and Poisson's ratio relative to principal material directions, that helps in the prediction of the properties of laminates. Beginning with an overview of the fundamentals of tensile testing of fiber-reinforced composites, this article describes environmental exposures that often occur during specimen preparation and testing. These include exposures during specimen preparation, and planned exposure such as moisture, damage (impact), and thermal cycling techniques. The article also discusses the test procedures, recommended configurations, test specimen considerations, and safety requirements considered in the four major types of mechanical testing of polymer-matrix composites: tensile test, compression test, flexural test, and shear test.