An Overview of Metal Matrix Composite: Processing and Sic Based Mechanical Properties

In view of large interest in the improve of Al/Al alloy based Metal matrix Composite and high-temperature ceramics on the base of silicon carbide, a comprehensive review of the data on structure, properties and the known methods of processing of silicon carbide seems timely. The most striking feature of silicon carbide is its polytypism, i.e. formation of a great number of structural changes without any change in composition. Although this feature of silicon carbide was extensively studied, no systematic up to date analysis was done. The widely used reinforcing materials for these composites are silicon carbide, aluminum oxide and graphite in the form of particles or whiskers. The ceramic particles reinforced aluminum composites termed as new generation material and these tailored and engineered with specific required properties for specific application requirements. However, Al-SiC alloys based MMC provides significantly enhanced mechanical properties, high wearing resistance of the SiC/Al alloy composite is due to added SiC whiskers to the aluminum matrix and the aluminum diffuses into the SiC whisker, which leads to a high bonding strength between the whisker and matrix. The aim of this paper is to review the current research and development of Al-SiC based alloy MMC and highlighted the basic properties of silicon carbide and the advantages of using SiC over other Al/Al alloy based Metal Matrix by scrupulously choosing, balance of reinforcing phases and particularly focusing on SiC content, together with some technological reason of the manufacturing process, it is possible to optimize the properties of metal matrix composites.