PROCESSING, CHARACTERIZATION AND EROSION WEAR RESPONSE OF PARTICULATE FILLED ZA-27 METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES

Abstract

Composites are combinations of two materials in which one of the materials, called the reinforcing phase, is in the form of fiber sheets or particles and are embedded in the other material called the matrix phase. The primary functions of
the matrix are to transfer stresses between the reinforcing fibers/particles and to protect them from mechanical and/or environmental damage whereas the presence of fibers/particles in a composite improves its mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness etc. A composite is therefore a synergistic combination of two or more micro-constituents that differ in physical form and chemical composition and which are insoluble in each other. The objective is to take advantage of the superior properties of both materials without compromising on the weakness of either.