Preface

Metal matrix composites are one of many composite material systems,

usually consisting of two phases, fiber as reinforcement and metal as matrix.
Since the above two phases are combined into a composite system by an
appropriate processing, metal matrix composites should be distinguished
from precipitate hardening metals, including eutectic composites. Metal
matrix composites are rapidly becoming one of the strongest candidates as a
structural material for many high-temperature and aerospace applications.
The main objective of using a metal matrix composite system is to increase
service temperature or specific mechanical properties of structural com-
ponents by replacing existing superalloys. A good example of high-temper-
ature application is the use of a metal matrix composite as an automobile
engine component, or as a turbine engine component.
Although metal matrix composites have been studied over the past two
decades, it is only recently that this material system has attracted attention in
the materials science community, with the anticipation that metal matrix
composites will become one of the major structural materials to be used in
demanding environments. In earlier times, metal matrix composites were
studied by only a limited number of researchers. Now it has become one of
the most popular research subjects among materials engineers and scientists
at government and industrial laboratories as well as universities throughout
the world. The subject of composite materials in general also has gained
considerable popularity. This popularity has prompted books to be publi-
shed in the area of composite materials, including two outstanding books,
one by Dr A. Kelly and the other by Professor D. Hull. Accordingly, a brief
introduction to metal matrix composites has been covered by these books
and has been taught as a part of composite courses at universities or as short
courses within continuing education programs. Although the existing books
on composite materials have covered the fundamental aspect of metal matrix
composites in a concise manner, the main portion of these book is aimed at
polymer matrix composites.
As research in metal matrix composites has progressed rapidly over recent
years, and the results are now reasonably well accumulated, it seems appro-
priate to describe various topics in metal matrix composites in a single book.
However, the topics in metal matrix composites are quite diversified, ranging
from processing to fracture mechanics. In order to understand the basic
principles in metal matrix composites one must focus on a well-defined
scientific subject area among the various topics. This book is intended to
VII
viii Preface

provide such a subject area, i.e., the thermomechanical behavior of metal

matrix composites, which we believe is suited not only to a textbook in a
classroom, but also as a reference book at a work desk.
If the book is used as a textbook, the users of the book are encouraged to
follow Chapters 1 through 5, in that order, with the remaining chapters
subject to choice. To assist readers, we have added problem sections at the
end of each chapter. Although the book is designed primarily for use as a
textbook, readers may also use it as a reference data book, because it contains
complete information on the thermomechanical data of various metal matrix
composite systems (Chapter 3 through 5 and Appendices). We also have
included a chapter (Chapter 6) which includes several engineering topics
which are considered to be emerging subject areas within the framework of
the thermomechanical behavior of metal matrix composites.
M. Taya would like to express his appreciation to the Royal Society for
supporting his semi-sabbatical leave at the University of Oxford. The initial
layout of this work was done in early summer of 1986 at Oxford and was then
immediately passed to R. J. Arsenault, who agreed to join as the co-author.
Taya also wishes to acknowledge his past and present graduate students,
research associates, and his colleagues who have worked on several different
aspects of the characterization and modeling of metal matrix composites, the
results of which are used extensively in this book. Among these people, Dr. H.
S. Yoon deserves our special thanks for his help in making some of the
appendices complete. He also wishes to express many thanks to Ms Linda
Kager and Ms Bianca Plank for their skillful typing, and patience with the
slow process of writing. Finally, M. Taya would like to acknowledge govern-
ment agencies (NSF, ARO, ONR, NASA, AFOSR) and industries (Honda
R&D, Toray Inc., and Alcan International) for their support in this subject
area.
R. J. Arsenault would like to acknowledge his past and present students
who have contributed their time and tireless effort in conducting research on
discontinuous metal matrix composites. Also, he would like to acknowledge
the assistance of Ms C. Arsenault and Mrs J. Anderson for their help in
preparing portions of the manuscript. Finally, R. J. A. would like to thank
Dr S. Fishman of the Office of Naval Research for his continued support and
encouragement.

Fall 1988 MINORU TAYA at Seattle

RICHARD J. ARSENAULT at College Park