Technology Trends Metal Matrix Composites
Metal matrix composites (MMCs) is a composite material consisting of an essential metal reinforcement with a second constituent which may be a different metal or non-metallic material such as ceramic or organic compound. When three components are present, it is called as a hybrid composite. The key properties offered by MMCs are superior yield strength and tensile strength, high thermal resistance, better conductivity, corrosion, chemical and moisture resistance, and can be used over a wide temperature range. Owing to the superior properties use of MMCs is inflating in various end-use sectors such as electronics, aerospace, thermal management, defense, marine, ground transportation, and industrial sector. The growing need for lightweight and strong materials in ground transportation and aerospace industry is one of the major drivers for the MMCs market. For example, MMCs have been immensely used for structural tubing in the space shuttle orbiter, propulsion systems for a...