A Review on Aluminium Matrix Hybrid Composites by Semisolid Processing and its Process Parameters

Evolution of automobile production has been driven by competitive materials. Light-weight alloys are continuously developed as most sustainable for automotive sector. Aluminum is being used as a successful material in automotive applications due to its low weight, higher strength, good corrosion resistance and formability to suit different design requirements. Since aluminium has the potential to be used as replacement of the current automotive materials like steel and cast iron, its demand has increased greatly. In a further development aluminium metal matrix composites (MMCs) were developed and these have improved wear resistance, high fatigue strength and better thermal stability, as compared with those of aluminum. In automobile sector, wear is a major problem, specifically in engineering assemblies and materials used for this purpose should have good tribological properties. To this effect Al MMCs have attracted significant attraction since they have improved wear resistance. Metal matrix composites are usually produced with secondary particles in the form of either continuous or discontinuous fiber or particles. From the viewpoint of good mechanical properties aluminium matrix is generally reinforced by oxide or carbide, nitride or boride ceramics (like Al2O3, SiC, Si3N4, TiC, TiB2. Reinforcement of the matrix with only one of these reinforcements may not yield desired properties and the matrix may need to be augmented with other reinforcements also. Graphite and SiC are the reinforcements used widely in automotive industries to achieve better mechanical and tribological properties and dampen the vibrations with less operational costs. Aluminum metal matrix composite can be produced by various methods including powder metallurgy, conventional casting technology, etc. Among the casting methods semisolid processing of composites yields better mechanical strength. This review deals with various manufacturing methods of metal matrix composites processing and insight on semisolid processing and its process parameters.