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Metals
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Design and Development of Metal Matrix Composites (2nd Edition)
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Design and Development of Metal Matrix Composites (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Metals (ISSN 2075-4701). This special issue belongs to the section "Metal Matrix Composites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 May 2026 | Viewed by 4942

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Sónia Simões

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
DEMec—Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Interests: carbon nanatubes; nanocomposites; advanced characterization techniques
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) represent promising advanced materials that have garnered significant attention in various industrial sectors due to their exceptional mechanical properties and tailored functionality.

MMC design involves incorporating one or more reinforcing phases, such as ceramic, carbon, or other metallic materials, into a metal matrix. This strategic combination allows engineers to tailor the material's properties to meet specific requirements, including improved strength, stiffness, thermal conductivity, and wear resistance. The selection of reinforcement materials, their volume fraction, and distribution within the matrix are critical factors in optimizing the final composite's performance.

The development of MMCs encompasses several fabrication techniques, including powder metallurgy, in situ synthesis, and various casting methods. Each method offers unique advantages and challenges, influencing the resulting material's microstructure and properties. Advanced processing technologies, such as high-energy ball milling, spark plasma sintering, and rapid solidification, have enhanced the homogeneity and performance of MMCs.

In this Special Issue, we welcome articles focusing on producing metal matrix composites through processes such as powder metallurgy, casting, and additive manufacturing. Microstructural characterization and determination of its relationship with final mechanical properties are also objectives of this Special Issue due to the importance of this knowledge for their implementation. Thus, researchers are invited to propose original investigations involving recent advances in the design, production, and characterization of metal matrix composites.

Dr. Sónia Simões
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Metals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • composites
  • powder metallurgy
  • casting
  • additive manufacturing
  • microstructure
  • mechanical properties
  • in-situ synthesis
  • dispersion techniques

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 32006 KB  
Article
Design of Wear-Resistant Low-Carbon Cast Steel Through In Situ TiC-MMC Local Reinforcement
by Aida B. Moreira, Manuel F. Vieira and Laura M. M. Ribeiro
Metals 2026, 16(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/met16010019 - 25 Dec 2025
Viewed by 571
Abstract
Enhancing the local mechanical response of low-carbon cast steels remains essential for improving their performance in wear-intensive environments. In this work, a low-carbon cast steel was locally modified through the in situ formation of TiC particles via melt reaction with pressed Ti–Al–C powders. [...] Read more.
Enhancing the local mechanical response of low-carbon cast steels remains essential for improving their performance in wear-intensive environments. In this work, a low-carbon cast steel was locally modified through the in situ formation of TiC particles via melt reaction with pressed Ti–Al–C powders. Advanced microstructural characterization (SEM/EDS, EBSD, and TEM) revealed a heterogeneous TiC-reinforced composite microstructure containing ~36 vol.% TiC with particle sizes between 0.73 and 3.88 μm. The reinforced region exhibited a substantial increase in hardness, from 160 ± 5 HV30 in the base steel to 407 ± 78 HV30, resulting from the synergistic contribution of TiC particles, fine κ-carbides, and a martensitic matrix. Nanoindentation revealed a strong mechanical contrast between phases, with TiC achieving 25.70 ± 7.76 GPa compared to 4.68 ± 1.09 GPa for the base metal matrix. Micro-abrasion tests showed a 24% reduction in wear rate, accompanied by shallower grooves and reduced plastic deformation. These findings demonstrate that in situ TiC formation, combined with κ-carbide precipitation, provides an effective strategy for improving local hardness and abrasive wear resistance in low-carbon cast steels. The results highlight the potential of in situ composite formation as an effective microstructural engineering strategy for next-generation wear-resistant cast steels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Development of Metal Matrix Composites (2nd Edition))
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20 pages, 11214 KB  
Article
Microstructure, Mechanical, and Machining Properties of 2024 Al Composites Reinforced with TiB2, SiC, and Diamond Particles
by Chuan Tan, Shuang Xiong, Qianwen Bi, Hui Wang, Bin Li, Limin Jiang, Jianhong Yi and Xiaoqing Zuo
Metals 2026, 16(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/met16010018 - 24 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 765
Abstract
Particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites demonstrate remarkable potential for use in aerospace, precision instruments, and electronic packaging applications due to their superior specific strength, high specific stiffness, and low thermal expansion coefficient. However, increasing the reinforcement volume fraction to enhance the elastic modulus often [...] Read more.
Particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites demonstrate remarkable potential for use in aerospace, precision instruments, and electronic packaging applications due to their superior specific strength, high specific stiffness, and low thermal expansion coefficient. However, increasing the reinforcement volume fraction to enhance the elastic modulus often leads to a reduction in plasticity and machining performance. This study investigates hot-pressed 27 vol.% TiB2/2024, 15 vol.% diamond/2024, and 37 vol.% SiC/2024 composite with equivalent elastic moduli, focusing on the effects of TiB2 particle size and T6 heat treatment on their microstructure, mechanical properties, and machining performance. The results reveal that increasing the TiB2 particle size from 7 μm to 25 μm reduces the tensile strength from 397.1 MPa to 371.7 MPa, increases surface roughness values from 110 nm to 177 nm, but simultaneously decreases tool wear. Among the tested composites, the 27 vol.% TiB2/2024 composite exhibits optimal interfacial bonding without Al4C3 formation, providing the most effective load-bearing strengthening, as well as the lowest surface roughness and minimal tool wear. Moreover, the T6 heat treatment further enhanced the tensile strength of the 27 vol.% TiB2/2024 composite from 397.1 MPa to 421.7 MPa, while reducing the surface roughness values during turning from 110 nm to 79 nm and further minimizing tool wear, thus achieving outstanding overall mechanical and machining performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Development of Metal Matrix Composites (2nd Edition))
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16 pages, 30066 KB  
Article
High Corrosion Resistance of Ti3C2Tx/Al6061 Composites Achieved via Equal Channel Angular Pressing
by Jianchao Chen, Wenjie Hu, Qihong Hu, Zhibin Liu and Hong Yan
Metals 2025, 15(9), 954; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15090954 - 28 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1021
Abstract
This study systematically investigates the synergistic corrosion resistance enhancement mechanisms in aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) through the combined implementation of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and Ti3C2Tx MXene reinforcement. The results demonstrate that ECAP treatment significantly refines the [...] Read more.
This study systematically investigates the synergistic corrosion resistance enhancement mechanisms in aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) through the combined implementation of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and Ti3C2Tx MXene reinforcement. The results demonstrate that ECAP treatment significantly refines the microstructure, reducing grain sizes to an average of 8.7 µm after three passes, while improving mechanical properties such as hardness by 40.6–45.1%. Additionally, the incorporation of Ti3C2Tx enhances corrosion resistance by establishing a physical barrier that impedes the diffusion of corrosive mediators and prevents localized corrosion. Electrochemical tests reveal that the composite subjected to three ECAP passes exhibits the lowest corrosion current density (Icorr) and a remarkable 3.4-fold increase in charge transfer resistance (Rct) compared to untreated material. These findings highlight the potential of synergistically integrating ECAP and Ti3C2Tx to develop high-performance AMCs with enhanced mechanical strength and corrosion resistance, offering significant implications for applications in marine equipment, aerospace, and new energy vehicles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Development of Metal Matrix Composites (2nd Edition))
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Review

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35 pages, 6084 KB  
Review
Advances in the Design and Development of Lightweight Metal Matrix Composites: Processing, Properties, and Applications
by Sónia Simões
Metals 2025, 15(12), 1281; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15121281 - 23 Nov 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1992
Abstract
Lightweight metal matrix composites (MMCs) continue to attract significant interest due to their potential to deliver high mechanical performance at reduced weight, meeting the increasing demands of aerospace, automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors. Among these systems, aluminum-, magnesium- and titanium-based MMCs stand out [...] Read more.
Lightweight metal matrix composites (MMCs) continue to attract significant interest due to their potential to deliver high mechanical performance at reduced weight, meeting the increasing demands of aerospace, automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors. Among these systems, aluminum-, magnesium- and titanium-based MMCs stand out for their favorable strength-to-weight ratios, corrosion resistance and versatility in processing. Although numerous studies have explored individual MMC families, the literature still lacks comparative reviews that integrate quantitative mechanical data with a broad evaluation of processing, microstructural control and application-driven performance. This review addresses these gaps by providing a comprehensive and data-driven assessment of lightweight MMCs. Recent advances in reinforcement strategies, hybrid architectures and processing routes—including friction stir processing, powder metallurgy and semi-solid techniques—are systematically examined. Emerging developments in syntactic metal foams and functionally gradient MMCs are analyzed in detail, along with practical considerations such as machinability, corrosion resistance, and high-temperature performance, integrated with AI/machine learning for predictive optimization. Overall, this work provides an integrated and critical perspective on the capabilities, limitations, and design trade-offs of lightweight MMCs, positioning them as sustainable and high-performance alternatives for extreme environments. By combining qualitative insights with quantitative meta-analyses and new experimental contributions, it offers a valuable reference for researchers and engineers seeking to optimize material selection and tailor the performance of MMCs for next-generation lightweight structures, surpassing previous reviews through holistic and innovation-driven insights. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Design and Development of Metal Matrix Composites (2nd Edition))
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