Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
6
Ceramic nanoparticles in metal matrix
composites
*
F . HE , Purdue University, USA
Abstract: This chapter introduces research conducted on metal matrix
nanocomposites (MMNCs). The chapter reviews the material system
used for MMNCs and explains the principles to choose the
reinforcement for metal matrix composites. The mechanical properties of
MMNCs fabricated by different processes are summarized and models
used to predict and describe the effect of different strengthening
mechanisms on MMNCs are introduced. Different approaches used to
produce MMNCs are reviewed and categorized.
Key words: metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs), mechanical
properties, mechanical alloying, ultrasonic aided casting.
6.1
Introduction
Metal matrix composites (MMCs) have been studied since the early 1960s
and were developed to improve the mechanical properties of metallic
materials. A typical MMC consists of a ductile metal matrix and rigid
ceramic reinforcement. It retains its metallic properties (high ductility,
machinability, and toughness) while adding ceramic properties (high
strength, thermal stability, and modulus) (Varadan et al., 2010). MMCs
are used as structural material in the aerospace, sport and automotive
industries because of the material's high strength to weight ratio. The
*
Part of Section 6.5 was adapted from He, F., Han, Q., Jackson, M. J., 2008. Nanoparticulate
reinforced metal matrix nanocomposites - a review. International Journal of Nanoparticles. 1(4).
pp. 301-309. Used with permission from Inderscience. Inderscience retains copyright of the
original material.
