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By: Milankumar Pankhaniya, Pratik Kikani, Rishabh Makwana, and Mayur Chotaliya.
1–4 Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Atmiya University, Rajkot, Gujarat, India.
Abstract
Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) combine metallic matrices with reinforcing phases (ceramics, intermetallics, fibers, or particles) to achieve superior mechanical, thermal, and tribological properties compared with monolithic metals. This review surveys fabrication routes, reinforcement types, microstructural characteristics, mechanical and tribological behavior, machining challenges, applications across aerospace, automotive, electronics, and future directions including additive manufacturing, in-situ MMCs, and data-driven materials design. Critical challenges such as interface control, scalability, cost, and machinability are discussed, alongside recommendations for future research. In order to solve the drawbacks of traditional monolithic metals, Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) are sophisticated engineering materials created by reinforcing metallic matrices with secondary phases like ceramics, fibers, whiskers, intermetallics, or particulates. While preserving desired metallic qualities like ductility and toughness, the use of these reinforcements greatly improves mechanical strength, stiffness, wear resistance, thermal stability, and fatigue performance. With a focus on their material systems, manufacturing processes, microstructural development, and methods for property enhancement, this review offers a thorough overview of MMCs.
In terms of reinforcement distribution, interfacial bonding, and scalability, several fabrication routes—including liquid-state processing (stir casting, squeeze casting), solid-state processing (powder metallurgy, diffusion bonding), and cutting-edge methods like additive manufacturing—are critically analyzed. There is a thorough discussion of how various reinforcing types and morphologies affect the links between microstructure and properties. Together with tribological performance, mechanical behavior under tensile, compressive, fatigue, and high-temperature conditions is examined, emphasizing wear and friction mechanisms pertinent to demanding service situations. The review also discusses the machining and processing issues that prevent MMCs from being widely used in industry, such as tool wear, poor surface smoothness, and expensive production costs. The benefits of MMCs in lightweight, high-performance components are illustrated by a study of applications in aircraft, automotive, defense, and electronic packaging. The development of in-situ MMC, interface engineering, sustainable and economical manufacturing, integration of additive manufacturing, and machine learning-based data-driven materials design are the final areas of attention for future research paths. To fully utilize MMCs in next-generation engineering applications, these issues must be resolved.
Keywords: Metal Matrix Composites, Hybrid Reinforcements, Mechanical and Tribological Properties, Stir Casting, Additive Manufacturing.
Citation:
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