REU/RET Projects

Rory A. Carrillo
University: California Polytechnique San Louis
Mentor in UCF: Dr. L. An – AMPAC, and Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering

Nano-Phases Ceramic Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites

In this paper we will explore the processing and characterization behavior of nano-phase ceramic reinforced metal matrix composites with a high volume fraction (> 12.5%) of a ceramic inclusion phase. Aluminum metal matrix composites (MMC) have significant potential for application in lightweight automotive structures, forgings and suspension, chassis, drive train, and vehicle structures. Their ability to provide high specific strength and stiffness translates into weight savings by producing lighter components capable of withstanding the required loads. At the same time, weight decrease allows offers an effective way to improve fuel efficiency, exhaust emission decrease, and enhanced safety and vehicle performance. Among advanced physical properties, the optimization of thermal properties has increased the interest among the aerospace industries. MMC’s possess high-temperature capability, high thermal conductivity, and near zero coefficient of thermal expansion, which provide the necessary characteristics for lightweight space structures with dimensional stability in the midst of thermal disturbances. These thermal characteristics also allow for improvement upon microelectronics and their ability to withstand any dynamic disturbances. Previous investigations of nano-phased ceramic reinforced metal matrix composites, termed Discontinuous Reinforced Alumina (DRA), have used large ceramic particles (a few to a couple hundred micrometers) as reinforcements. Also, previous work has explored the idea of utilizing nanometer size reinforcement, but the ceramic phases were low volume percentage.