FOUNDRY PROCESSING OF METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES.

A variety of issues of both fundamental and engineering origin still need to be addressed for improved design and synthesis of cast metal matrix composites (MMCs). Some of these include: modification of metal/ceramic interface by surface engineering; modeling of solidification morphology on reinforcing fibers; study of interactions between ceramic particulates and solidifying interfaces; elimination of porosity and freeze choking during infiltration; uniformity of distribution of reinforcements within a cast component; and reproducibility between casting and batches of castings in large scale manufacture. These issues notwithstanding, considerable progress has been made in introducing particles and fibers in molten alloys, especially aluminum base and casting the suspensions using conventional foundry techniques. These conventional foundry techniques are leading to the possibility of low cost mass manufacture of MMCs.