%0 book
%@ 

%D 2006
%J 

 

%T Metal Matrix Composites
%U 
 
%X Metal matrix composites can no longer be excluded from the daily life. The individual consumer is not aware of the variety of material systems and their application; in many cases they are even unknown. Examples for that are carbides for machining of materials in product engineering, noble metal composite systems for contacts in the electronics and electro-technology, copper-graphite-sliding contacts for generators and electric motors and multi compound systems for brake linings in high speed brakes. After the massive effort to develop metal matrix composites (MMCs) with light metal matrixes in recent years the successful application of these materials has taken place in traffic engineering, especially in automotive and transport technology. New applications are, for example, partially fibre-reinforced pistons and hybrid reinforced crank cases in passenger cars and truck engines as well as particle reinforced brake discs for light trucks, motorcycles, passenger cars and rail-mounted vehicles. A further application area of these materials is the civil and military air- and space flight. These innovative materials are of a great interest for modern material applications due to the possibility to develop specific properties of these MMCs. Ongoing from this potential, the metal matrix composites meet the desired concepts of the design engineer, because they represent custom-made materials. This material group is becoming interesting for construction- and functional materials, if the property profile of conventional materials does not meet the requirements, light weight construction to reduce weight. The advantages of metal matrix composites are of use if a meaningful cost-performance relationship is possible during the production of components. Of special economic and ecological interest is the need of the integration of processing residues, cycle scrap and waste products out of these materials within the material cycle.