Assessment of Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Aluminium Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites: A Review

Advancements in technology have put an increasing demand on the composite materials, especially in the areas of dynamic structures. A Hybrid metal matrix composite(HMMC) is the composite material with at least three constituent parts, one being a metal necessarily and others may be different metals or materials called reinforcements. The reinforcements are added to get better stiffness, strength, and high strength to weight ratio and other mechanical properties. Among several types, Aluminium based hybrid composites are a new generation of metal matrix composites that have the potentials of satisfying the demands of advanced engineering applications. Of all the reinforcements used in the Aluminium metal matrix composites (AMC’s), Silicon carbide and graphite has many better properties like increase in hardness, thermal conductivity and fracture energy. This paper aims at reviewing the literature available on various Aluminium based hybrid metal matrix composites used in present day applications. The effect of different hybrid reinforcements on AMC's in terms of their mechanical properties and tribological properties like tensile strength, strain, hardness, wear and fatigue was discussed.