Semisolid Processing of Al/β-SiC Composites by Mechanical Stirring Casting and High Pressure Die Casting

Abstract

Metals and alloys are generally produced and shaped in bulk form but can also be intimately combined with another material that serves to improve their performance. The resulting material is known as a metal matrix composite (MMC). This class of composite encompasses many different materials that can be distinguished according to their base metal (e.g., aluminium, copper, titanium), their reinforcement phase (e.g., fibers, particles, whiskers), or their manufacturing process (e.g., powder metallurgy, diffusion bonding, infiltration, mechanical or electromagnetic stir casting and die casting).