POWDER METAL-MATRIX COMPOSITES - SELECTION AND PROCESSING

There has been growing interest in the last decade in the development of metal matrix composites (MMCs) for the aerospace industry because o f their attractive physical and mechanical properties and enhanced ele vated temperature capabilities. However, some of the fabrication techn iques (e.g. using powder metallurgy) for this new class of MMCs are ha mpered by (i) the pour distribution of the reinforcements, and (ii) th e limited room temperature ductility of the composites and hence forma bility. This presentation reports work done to address the above two p roblems by (i) an analysis based on size difference of matrix and rein forcement particles, laking into account the processing parameters, an d (ii) introducing a innovative way of extruding brittle composites to increase its formability. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights r eserved.