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Solidification-processed metal matrix composites for the transportation industries

Andreas Mortensen
2000
Conference paper
Abstract

Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) materials provide combinations of properties which are of interest in several applications within the transportation industries. Their use in this industrial sector is, however, highly dependent on the simultaneous satisfaction of stringent performance and cost requirements. This is why solidification processing, which provides one of the most versatile and economical production routes for these materials, is the dominant process class used today for the production of MMC materials in this industrial sector. This article provides an overview of applications of MMCs produced by solidification processing in the transportation industries. The two main classes of solidification processes used to produce MMC materials, namely infiltration and stir casting, are briefly described and compared. Next is a review of past and current automotive MMC applications. Specific applications of MMCs are then described and used as "case studies" for a discussion of fundamental and technical issues in MMC solidification processing as it concerns these industries.

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Related concepts (29)
Metal matrix composite
In materials science, a metal matrix composite (MMC) is a composite material with fibers or particles dispersed in a metallic matrix, such as copper, aluminum, or steel. The secondary phase is typically a ceramic (such as alumina or silicon carbide) or another metal (such as steel). They are typically classified according to the type of reinforcement: short discontinuous fibers (whiskers), continuous fibers, or particulates. There is some overlap between MMCs and cermets, with the latter typically consisting of less than 20% metal by volume.
Composite material
A composite material (also called a composition material or shortened to composite, which is the common name) is a material which is produced from two or more constituent materials. These constituent materials have notably dissimilar chemical or physical properties and are merged to create a material with properties unlike the individual elements. Within the finished structure, the individual elements remain separate and distinct, distinguishing composites from mixtures and solid solutions.
Requirement
In product development and process optimization, a requirement is a singular documented physical or functional need that a particular design, product or process aims to satisfy. It is commonly used in a formal sense in engineering design, including for example in systems engineering, software engineering, or enterprise engineering. It is a broad concept that could speak to any necessary (or sometimes desired) function, attribute, capability, characteristic, or quality of a system for it to have value and utility to a customer, organization, internal user, or other stakeholder.
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