Metal Matrix Composite: A Potent Material for Futuristic Automotive 2003-26-0038

The automotive designers have been continuously looking for the high specific strength materials for weight reduction of vehicle, as it offers multifold advantages. e.g. improvement in fuel efficiency, maximum speed, acceleration, etc. Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) are engineered combination of two or more materials, which exhibits better properties than those of ingredient materials. The advantage of this material is that unlike monolithic, its properties can be tailored according to the desired engineering properties expected from components and thus it offers a great flexibility to the designers as a choice material for reducing the weight of components (particularly for dynamic loaded components). This paper deals with various types of the MMCs and their applications for replacement of steel / cast iron components. e.g. Brake Drum (Al-SiC), Piston (Al-Graphite), Connecting Rod (Al-Sic). The MMCs offer approximately 40-55 % weight reduction when compared with iron components. The MMC components developed have shown a significant improvement in the performance and seeing its potential the MMC may become a choice material for futuristic vehicles.