Cast metal matrix composites - Challenges in processing and design

Development of metal matrix composites has extended the choice of materials particularly for the space, aero-space and automobile industries, with a view to reduce fuel consumption and operating cost by weight saving. Tailoring of a composite to suit a given application requires choice of constituents and promotion of desirable interfaces. Solidification processing of composites demands particular attention to wetting of dispersoids by alloys, defects like porosities and evolution of microstructures particularly in respect of changing the nature of interfaces in a composite.