The Effect of Processing Techniques and Operating Parameters on the Erosion Wear Behavior of Particle-Reinforced Metal Matrix and Surface Composites: A Review

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) and surface composites are of particular interest in erosion wear-related applications because of their enhanced mechanical properties, ease of processing, and low cost. MMCs and surface composites can resist solid particle erosion by the two-phase structure having a ductile matrix and hard reinforcement. Developing various processing techniques has led to defect-free composite fabrication with tailor-made properties. Moreover, erosion wear studies are inevitable in terms of ensuring the suitability of composites in harsh environments prone to excessive erosion wear. This paper gives a thorough and comprehensive summary of various processing methods for the MMCs and surface composites. In addition, a detailed review of the erosion mechanism of MMCs and surface composites is made. In the end, the various factors influencing the erosion behavior of MMCs, such as the processing technique, matrix and reinforcement material properties, erodent properties, slurry properties, and flow characteristics, have also been reviewed.