Author Index: p. 486-497.

Subject Index: p. 498-509.

This is the most comprehensive book to date on the production, structure, properties and applications of metal matrix composites, an important new class of materials that is making a major impact in many diverse areas of industry. The emergence of metal matrix composites is partly a consequence of an improved understanding of their potential and limitations, based on principles of physical metallurgy, interfacial chemistry, stress analysis and processing science. This book is intended as an introduction to the microstructure, behaviour and usage of these materials. In each chapter, a simple outline is given of the underlying principles, followed by an assessment of the current state of research knowledge in the area. At a more detailed level, the mathematical background to the analytical treatments involved, including the Eshelby method, has been incorporated into the book, although emphasis is placed throughout on the concepts and mechanisms involved. The book encompasses particulate, short fibre and long fibre reinforcement.

The accent is on mechanical performance, describing how the presence of reinforcement in a metallic matrix influences the stiffening, strengthening and failure characteristics. This involves a critical examination of both load transfer and microstructural modification effects brought about by the presence of the fibres or particles. Comprehensive coverage is also given of other properties, including thermal/electrical conductivity and resistance to thermal shock, wear and corrosive environments. Fabrication and processing are also treated in some detail. The final two chapters provide a source of useful practical information, covering a range of specialist techniques for the study of these materials and detailed examples of commercial applications. This book is aimed primarily at scientists, engineers, production managers and all those involved in research on new materials in general and metal matrix composites in particular, but it is also suitable for use as a text in graduate and undergraduate courses.