Processing of ceramic–metal composites

Abstract

Design and development of advanced materials for high performance applications and bringing these materials into use are the most challenging tasks of modern engineering. Ceramic–metal composites are natural candidates for these demanding applications due to their very attractive properties. Various processing techniques have been used to fabricate ceramic–metal composites. Melt infiltration is one of the preferred techniques to fabricate ceramic–metal composites. Ceramic–metal composites have been fabricated using non-reactive and reactive pressureless and pressure assisted processing techniques. Owing to the inability of current processing technology to fabricate complex shaped ceramic–metal parts with desired microstructures and properties, additive manufacturing is becoming an increasingly important processing approach. Additive manufacturing in combination with infiltration methods was used for the fabrication ceramic–metal composites with a complex geometry.