Deformation processed metal-metal composites

Deformation processed metal-metal composites (DMMCs) are composites in whic h both the matrix and the reinforcing phase are ductile metals. The ductili ty of the metals permits the composite to be heavily deformed by drawing or rolling to reduce the thickness and spacing of the two phases to as small as 10 nm. Their nano-scale microstructures are exceptionally strong, with s trengths approaching whisker strength in some cases. And since the material s are comprised of two essentially pure metals, their electrical conductivi ties are quite high for current flow in directions parallel to the composit e's filaments or lamellae, leading to numerous potential applications. Duri ng the 1990s, continuing research has produced DMMCs in a wide range of mat rix metals, including Al, Au, Mg, Sc, and Ti. Methods are also being develo ped to produce DMMCs with much larger dimensions in rod and sheet forms to permit their use in a wider variety of engineering applications.