An overview of Aluminium Matrix Composites: Particulate reinforcements, manufacturing, modelling and machining

Abstract There is an increasing demand for lightweight structures in day-to-day life. Aluminium based metal matrix composites (MMCs) find applications in sectors like automotive, aerospace, defense industries, and transportation. The main reason being its distinctive properties like superior strength, better stiffness, lower density, enhanced temperature properties, measured thermal expansion, and enhanced wear resistance. Various researchers have contributed to the field of aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) with particulate reinforcements through the stir casting method. This article gives an overview of work reported on the usage of various types of matrix materials and reinforcements in the development of MMCs, intending to offer contextual knowledge. For the creation of products using MMCs, it is imperative to perform succeeding Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to do the simulation of the parts under numerous loading situations. Hence, this article also reviews the stir casting method along with Representative Volume Element (RVE) homogenization method briefly. Besides, a brief review on machining of aluminium based MMCs presented to grasp the status and to recognize future guidelines of research study and expansion of cutting tool methodology.