A comprehensive review on tribological and mechanical properties of metal matrix composites

In comparison to alloys that are un-reinforced, metal matrix composites (MMCs) displays significant improvement in several properties like resistance to wear, strength to weight ratio, stiffness to weight ratio, damping capacity etc. Because of their superior properties like elevated specific strength and better wear resistance, AMMCs are more acceptable compared to conventional materials in automotive, aerospace and marine applications. In the automotive industry, research and new product development is constantly targeted towards evolution and application of materials which are light weight-high strength; with primary objectives of improving performance by raising fuel efficiency, reducing the emissions and augmenting the safety at lower and viable cost. The size of the reinforcement particles may range from micron to nano scale sizes. This paper bares the properties of the AMMCs reinforced respectively with nano sized, micron sized and hybrid combination of particles. Each of them plays a key function in evolving advanced materials in the form of better wear reduction, superior strength and reducing the weight of the material, thus making them lighter than their conventional parent material or alloy.