Feature Papers in 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: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 4211

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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore
Interests: metal additive manufacturing; processing; characterization; lightweight materials; nanocomposites
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Metal matrix composites have matured significantly over the last 50 years, with significant contributions from researchers around the world. Based on scientific understanding coupled with technological success, these materials have assisted in improving the performance and reliability of engineering structures, irrespective of the area of application. In view of refreshing these fundamentals for a larger community and young researchers and to highlight new developments, this Special Issue is launched, which will target both review and research papers. The papers that present a review of targeted areas of development will be most desirable. These areas can be related to (not limited to) the following: processing; microstructural aspects; physical, electrical, thermal, mechanical, and electrochemical properties; joining; machining; tribology; corrosion; and industrial applications.

Prof. Dr. Manoj Gupta
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • composites
  • processing
  • microstructure
  • properties
  • joining
  • corrosion
  • applications

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 8113 KiB  
Article
Tribological Properties of SPS Reactive Sintered Al/MoS2 Composites
by Marek Kostecki, Krzysztof Kulikowski, Dorota Moszczyńska and Andrzej Roman Olszyna
Metals 2024, 14(12), 1326; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14121326 - 24 Nov 2024
Viewed by 617
Abstract
In search of opportunities to improve mechanical properties and abrasion resistance, composites based on aluminum reinforced with MoS2 particles were produced. The authors’ previous research indicated the possibility of obtaining hard dispersion precipitates of the Al12Mo intermetallic phase as a [...] Read more.
In search of opportunities to improve mechanical properties and abrasion resistance, composites based on aluminum reinforced with MoS2 particles were produced. The authors’ previous research indicated the possibility of obtaining hard dispersion precipitates of the Al12Mo intermetallic phase as a result of the reaction of the composite components at a temperature exceeding 550 °C during the SPS (Spark Plasma Sintering) process. This work focused on optimizing the SPS consolidation process and assessing the microstructure and mechanical properties of the obtained materials. A series of experiments proved that by increasing the amount of the strengthening phase and increasing the process temperature, a significant amount of Al12Mo and Al5Mo strengthening phases is produced. Exceptionally good dispersion of reinforcing particles and the presence of layered MoS2 crystals, while ensuring optimal parameters of the synthesis process, lead to a change in friction mechanisms and improved abrasion resistance through an approximately 30-fold decrease in the wear factor. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Metal Matrix Composites—2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 16612 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Different Blending Methods to Obtain Copper Composites with Graphene Oxide
by Caique Movio Pereira de Souza, José Ricardo Cabau Cunali Junior, Marcio Rodrigues da Silva, Vinicius Torres dos Santos, Flavia Gonçalves Lobo, Givanildo Alves dos Santos, Gisele Fabiane Costa Almeida, Antonio Augusto Couto and Marcos Massi
Metals 2024, 14(11), 1279; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14111279 - 10 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1194
Abstract
This study evaluated mixing methods for producing graphene oxide-reinforced copper matrix composites aiming for a better dispersion of graphene oxide in the composite, using powder metallurgy techniques. The compacted specimens were prepared by four different mixing processes that employed either a mechanical stirrer, [...] Read more.
This study evaluated mixing methods for producing graphene oxide-reinforced copper matrix composites aiming for a better dispersion of graphene oxide in the composite, using powder metallurgy techniques. The compacted specimens were prepared by four different mixing processes that employed either a mechanical stirrer, rotary evaporator, tip ultrasound, or ultrasound process followed by mechanical stirring. Characterizations were performed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, compression tests, Vickers microhardness, and electrical conductivity measurements. The results indicate that the combined method yields a more homogeneous microstructure and superior mechanical properties, while electrical conductivity was maintained at a level higher than that achieved by the other methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Metal Matrix Composites—2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 13852 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Solution Aging on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of a Laser Powder Bed Fusion-Formed WC-Reinforced 18Ni300 Composite
by Baoren Teng, Bibo Yao, Zhenhua Li and Huili Fan
Metals 2024, 14(10), 1158; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14101158 - 11 Oct 2024
Viewed by 657
Abstract
The addition of WC particles has the potential to improve the properties of 18Ni300 alloy, but the effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 18Ni300 matrix composites needs to be further investigated. In this work, WC-reinforced 18Ni300 composites were [...] Read more.
The addition of WC particles has the potential to improve the properties of 18Ni300 alloy, but the effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 18Ni300 matrix composites needs to be further investigated. In this work, WC-reinforced 18Ni300 composites were fabricated using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). The composites were made into solutions at 846 °C for 51 min, followed by aging at 388 °C for 300 min. The microstructural evolution and compressive properties of the composites before and after heat treatment were systematically studied. The results indicate that the microstructures of the composites consist of heterogeneous cellular and fine columnar grains. As the WC content increases, the primary phase in the LPBF-formed samples gradually shifts from α-Fe martensite to γ-Fe austenite. After heat treatment, the primary phase transforms to α-Fe with only a small residual amount of γ-Fe. The microstructure becomes more uniform, featuring a significant reduction in grain size. Many precipitated phases can be found in the intergranular, accompanied by an increase in the thickness of diffusion layers. The WC content in the composite material is positively correlated with its hardness and compressive strength. As the WC reinforcement content increases from 5% to 20%, the yield strength and compressive strength of the LPBF-formed composites increase to 1042.5 MPa and 2900.7 MPa, respectively, while the compressive elongation decreases from 64% to 43%. After heat treatment, the yield strength of the composites significantly increases to 2356.8 MPa, with a slight increase in the compressive strength to 2939.7 MPa. However, the elongation decreases from 32.5% to 22%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Metal Matrix Composites—2nd Edition)
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15 pages, 18519 KiB  
Article
Mechanical, Corrosion and Wear Characteristics of Cu-Based Composites Reinforced with Zirconium Diboride Consolidated by SPS
by Iwona Sulima, Michał Stępień, Paweł Hyjek, Sonia Boczkal and Remigiusz Kowalik
Metals 2024, 14(9), 974; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14090974 - 28 Aug 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1061
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the physical, mechanical, corrosion, and tribological properties of Cu-based composites with varying zirconium diboride content. The composites were successfully consolidated using spark plasma sintering (SPS) at temperatures of 850 °C and 950 °C and a pressure of 35 [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate the physical, mechanical, corrosion, and tribological properties of Cu-based composites with varying zirconium diboride content. The composites were successfully consolidated using spark plasma sintering (SPS) at temperatures of 850 °C and 950 °C and a pressure of 35 MPa. The effect of the ZrB2 content and the sintering temperature on the properties of the Cu-based composites was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and X-ray diffraction were used to analyse microstructure evolution in copper matrix composites. Microhardness tests were used to evaluate mechanical properties. Wear behaviour was evaluated using a ball-on-disc method. Corrosion properties were estimated on electrochemical tests, such as potentiodynamic polarisation. The results demonstrated an enhancement in the density and porosity of the composites as the sintering temperature increased. A uniform dispersion of ZrB2 was observed in the copper matrix for all composites. With an increase in the content of the ZrB2 reinforcement phase, there was an increase in microhardness and an improvement in the wear resistance of the sintered composites. A reduction in densification and corrosion resistance of Cu-based composites was observed with increasing ZrB2 content. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Metal Matrix Composites—2nd Edition)
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