Design and Development of Metal Matrix Composites

Dear Colleagues,

Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) represent promising advanced materials that have garnered significant attention in various industrial sectors due to their exceptional mechanical properties and tailored functionality.

MMC design involves incorporating one or more reinforcing phases, such as ceramic, carbon, or other metallic materials, into a metal matrix. This strategic combination allows engineers to tailor the material's properties to meet specific requirements, including improved strength, stiffness, thermal conductivity, and wear resistance. The selection of reinforcement materials, their volume fraction, and distribution within the matrix are critical factors in optimizing the final composite's performance.

The development of MMCs encompasses several fabrication techniques, including powder metallurgy, in-situ synthesis, and various casting methods. Each method offers unique advantages and challenges, influencing the resulting material's microstructure and properties. Advanced processing technologies, such as high-energy ball milling, spark plasma sintering, and rapid solidification, have enhanced the homogeneity and performance of MMCs.

In this Special Issue, we welcome articles focusing on producing metal matrix composites through processes like powder metallurgy, casting, or additive manufacturing. Microstructural characterization and its relationship with final mechanical properties is also an objective of this Special Issue due to the importance of this knowledge for their implementation. Thus, researchers are invited to propose original investigations involving the recent advances in the design, production, and characterization of metal matrix composites.

Dr. Sónia Simões
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Metals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• composites
• powder metallurgy
• casting
• additive manufacturing
• microstructure
• mechanical properties
• in-situ synthesis
• dispersion techniques