The current trends in the practical application of metal matrix composites
* Jerzy Sobczak, ** Stefan Wojciechowski * Instytut Odlewnictwa, ul. Zakopiańska 73, 30-418 Kraków ** Politechnika Warszawska, Wydział Inżynierii Materiałowej, ul. Wołoska 141, 02-507 Warszawa
Annals 2 No. 3, 2002 pages 24-37
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abstract This paper is the literature review and presents the Authors’ research results in the area of metal matrix composites (MMCs). The subject concentrates on two main problems. The first one deals with the selection of composite components depending on the functional indexes (Tab. 1), selection (Fig. 1) and classification (Fig. 2) charts and the designing of com-posites, according to the method proposed by M.F. Ashby. While this particular problem was being discussed, the identification of potential functionality areas of aluminum matrix composites was identified (Tab. 1). The second problem discussed in the paper concerns the presentation of current achievements in practical usage of MMCs. The examples of metal composites application in the air force and space industry (Figs 5-10), automotive industry (Figs 11-14), electronic, sport and recreation (Figs 15-16) were presented. In the conclusions the economic, legislative and technical barriers of metal matrix composites applications were discussed. It was noted that in order to achieve a technical and commercial success in the area of wider application of MMCs in the nearest future, the real and potential difficulties in four groups must be overcome. These problem groups are as follows: 1) materials, 2) production processes, 3) research and evaluation methods, analytical tools, 4) technical aspects. To each of the categories mentioned above the prerequisite of low cost should be assigned. The current competitors and substitutes of metal matrix composites are other high performance materials, mainly carbon-carbon and intermetallic matrix composites.