Interface-dominated mechanical behavior in advanced metal matrix composites

Metal matrix composites(MMCs) incorporate a reinforcing or functional secondary phase into a metal matrix to achieve specific properties. Of the parameters which may affect the mechanical behavior of MMCs, the structure and properties of the reinforcement/matrix interface play a crucial role. This article reviews recent developments in measuring the interfacial properties in advanced MMCs, with an emphasis on the use of micro-/nano-mechanical testing approaches. It is shown that, with the novel in situ and ex situ experimental capability, researchers can now obtain some of the critical interfacial properties as well as the effects of reinforcement/matrix interfaces on the composites' deformation and failure mechanisms that were unattainable previously by conventional methodologies. Moreover, the micro-/nano-mechanical testing platform allows for both fundamental and applied research on the composites' mechanical performance under service conditions, which is considered a promising and emerging research direction.