This book covers several aspects of the synthesis of composites by the pressureless
infiltration technique. It describes the methods used to obtain green preforms such as cold
pressed and hot sintering describing the heating time load and time required for pressing
the preforms. Additionally wettability phenomena which is directly related on infiltration
is extensively described. Wettability process and interfacial reactions are analyzed in many
ceramic-metal systems prior to fabricate the composites. A complete description of fabrication
processes for Metal Matrix Composites is included. An extensive section on structural chemical
and mechanical characterization of composites fabricated with aluminum and magnesium alloys as
matrices reinforced with titanium carbide (TiC) aluminum nitride (AlN) silicon carbide (SiC)
and alumina (Al2O3) is included. Relevant techniques for joining composites such as welding
and brazing are addressed. As well as issues pertaining to the corrosion and wear of composites
are discussed as well. Corrosion behavior of some composites exposed to aqueous media was
analyzed. Corrosion of composites using TiC and SiC like reinforcement and Al Ni and some
Al-Cux Al-Mgx and Al-Cu-Li alloys like matrix is discussed extensively. The structural
characterization techniques addressed include: scanning electron microscopy (SEM) X-ray
diffraction (XRD) transmission electron microscopy (TEM) optical microscopy (OM)
differential thermal analysis (DTA) high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM)
and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). Mechanical testing including hardness elastic modulus
tension tests and impact tests were used in the characterization of composites. Theoretical
models for prediction of some mechanical properties are included too.
