Metal matrix
composite
MMC
• A MMC is composite material with at least two constituent parts, one
being metal necessarily the other may be a different metal or another
material such as ceramic or organic compounds.
• Advantage: Higher strength-to-weight ratios, stiffness, and ductility
compared to traditional materials.
Classification of MMCs
Metal matrix
composite
(MMC)
Short fiber or Continuous fiber
Particle
whisker or sheet
reinforced MMCs
reinforced MMCs reinforced MMCs
Reinforcement for MMC
The following demands are generally applicable
• Low density
• Mechanical compatibility
• Thermal stability
• High Young's modulus
• High compression and tensile strength
• Good process ability
• Economic efficiency
Reinforcement for MMC
• The reinforcement materials embedded into the matrix to enhance or
reduce their properties like wear resistance, hardness, density,
porosity, mechanical strength, thermal expansion, thermal and
electrical conductivities.
• The reinforcement can be either continuous or discontinuous.
Matrices for MMC
• The matrix is the monolithic material into which the reinforcement is
embedded and is completely continuous.
• In structural applications, the matrix is usually the lighter metal such
as aluminium, magnesium or titanium and provide a complaint
support for the reinforcement. In high temperature applications,
cobalt and cobalt-nickel alloy matrices are common.
1. Al alloy
• Because of their low density, excellent strength, toughness and
resistance to corrosion
• application in aerospace field
Al Matrix composites are reinforced by:
• Alumina (Al2O3) or silicon carbide (SiC) particles in amounts 15-70 vol%.
• Continuous fobers of alumina, silicon carbide, graphite (long fiber
reinforcement composites)
• Discontinuous fibers of alumina (short fiber reinforced composites)
Aluminium matrix composite are manufactured by the following fabrication
methods:
• Powder metallurgy (sintering)
• Stir casting
• infiltration
Aluminium matrix composite properties:
• High strength even at elevated temperature
• High stiffness (modulus of elasticity)
• Low density
• High thermal conductivity
• Excellent abrasion resistance
• It is used for manufacturing automotive parts (piston, pushrods, brake
components), brake rotors for high speed trains, bicycles, golf clubs,
electronic substrates, cores for high voltage electric cables.
2. Ti alloy
• Important aerospace material density 4.5 gm/cm3
Youngs modulus 115GPa
For Ti alloy density 4.3-5.1 gm/cm3 Y 80-130 Gpa
• Ti- high m. p. 1672oC retains strength to high temperature with good oxidation
and corrosion resistance
• Ti used in jet engines(turbines and compressor blades)
• Expensive material
• It has great affinity to O, N, H, they can change mechanical properties
(embrittlement can set in)
• Welding of Ti required protection from environment – electron beam technique in
vacuum
Titanium matrix composites
Mainly reinforced by:
• Continuous monofilament silicon carbide fiber (long fiber reinforced
composite)
• Titanium Boride (TiB2) an Titanium carbide (TiC) particle (particulate
composites)
Titanium Matrix Composites are manufactured by powder metallurgy
(sintering)
Titanium matrix composites properties:
• High strength
• High stiffness (modulus of elasticity)
• High creep resistance
• High thermal stability
• High wear resistance
Titanium matrix composites are used for manufacturing structural
components of the F-16 jets landing gear, turbine engine components
(fan, blades, actuator pistons, synchronization rings, connection links,
shafts, discs), automotive engine components, drive train parts, general
machine components
3. Mg Alloys
• Mg one of the lightest metals
• Density 1.74 gm/cm3
Mg matrix composites are reinforced by silicon carbide (SiC) particles
Properties
• High stiffness (modulus of elasticity)
• High wear resistance
• Good strength even at elevated temperatures
• Good creep resistance
It is used for manufacturing components for racing cars, lightweight automotive
brake system, aircraft parts for gear boxes, transmissions, compressors, engine
4. Copper
• Used as electrical conductor
• Good thermal conductivity
• Can be cast and worked easily
Copper matrix composites are reinforced by:
• Continuous fibers of carbon
• Silicon carbide (SiC)
• Tungsten (W)
• Stainless steel (long fiber reinforced composite)
Copper matrix composites are manufactured by powder metallurgy
(sintering) and infiltration technique
Properties of copper matrix composites
• Low coefficient of thermal expansion
• High stiffness (modulus of elasticity)
• Good electrical conductivity
• High thermal conductivity
• Good wear resistance
Copper matrix composites are used for manufacturing hybrid modules,
electronic relays, electrically conducting springs and other electrical
and electronic components.
5. Intermetallic compounds
• Can be ordered or disordered
• Because of ordered structure the motion of dislocations is much more
restricted than in disordered alloys
• Which results in retention (even increase in some cases) of strength at
elevated Temperature (very desirable feature)
• Undesirable feature – extremely low ductility
• Long range order also affects diffusion controlled phenomena such as
recovery, recrystallization and grain growth.
• Thus ordered intermetallic compounds exhibits high creep resistance.
Advantages of MMC
• High temperature capability
• Fire resistance
• High transverse stiffness and strength
• No moisture absorption
• Higher electrical and thermal conductivity
• Better radiation resistance
• High specific strength and modulus over metals.
• Lower coefficient of thermal expansion than metals by reinforcing with graphite
• Fabric ability of whisker and particulate reinforced MMCs with conventional
metalworking equipment.
Disadvantages of MMC
• Higher cost of some material systems
• Relatively immature technology
• Complex fabrication methods for fiber reinforced systems (except for
casting)
