Understanding Metal Matrix Composites
This white paper defines metal composites (MMCs) and explains the advantages and disadvantages of conventionally manufactured MMCs versus the additively manufactured MMCs.
What is a Metal Matrix Composite (MMC)?
Throughout history, materials have defined our technology and fueled creative thinking to solve our problems and advance our capabilities. Today, engineering materials are often classified into categories, with the four major groups comprising metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites. Metal based composite materials, known as metal matrix composites (MMCs), are one of the major innovations in materials science and engineering since the late 19th century.
Composites are materials composed of at least two distinct constituent phases. Metal matrix composites have a continuous metal matrix phase and one or more additional phases such as ceramic reinforcements. The combination of different materials can produce a unique and advantageous set of properties with the freedom to tailor the properties to specific application requirements by varying the fraction of reinforcement material, the size and shaped of the reinforcement, and the production method. Desirable properties associated with MMCs include increased specific strength, stiffness, wear resistance, high temperature performance, corrosion resistance, thermal and mechanical fatigue resistance, and creep resistance. metal matrix composites provide a great degree of versatility. For example, an aluminum MMC is often used for applications requiring light weight, high specific mechanical properties while nickel MMCs provide the ability the retain excellent mechanical strength, resist oxidation, and reduce thermal creep at extreme temperatures.
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by Elementum 3D
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