Editing Metal matrix composite (section)

== Applications ==
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* High performance [[tungsten carbide]] [[cutting tool]]s are made from a tough [[cobalt]] matrix cementing the hard tungsten carbide particles; lower performance tools can use other metals such as [[bronze]] as the matrix.
* Some tank armors may be made from metal matrix composites, probably steel reinforced with [[boron nitride]], which is a good reinforcement for steel because it is very stiff and it does not dissolve in molten steel.
* Some [[automobile|automotive]] [[disc brake]]s use MMCs. Early [[Lotus Elise]] models used aluminum MMC rotors, but they have less than optimal heat properties, and Lotus has since switched back to cast iron. Modern high-performance [[sport car]]s, such as those built by [[Porsche]], use rotors made of carbon fiber within a silicon carbide matrix because of its high [[specific heat]] and thermal conductivity. [[3M]] developed a preformed aluminum matrix insert for strengthening cast aluminum disc brake calipers,<ref name=3M-1>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040731120853/http://www.3m.com/market/industrial/mmc/PDFs/AMC_Brake_Caliper_Brochure_3.pdf Aluminium matrix composite (AMC) inserts for reinforced brake calipers (Archived)]</ref> reducing weight by half compared to cast iron while retaining similar stiffness. 3M has also used alumina preforms for AMC [[pushrod]]s.<ref name=3M-2>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080429232531/http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Energy-Advanced/Materials/Industry_Solutions/MMC/Pushrods/ Industry Solutions - Metal Matrix Composites - High performance, high strength, metal matrix composite material (Archived)]</ref>
* [[Cosworth]] uses a Metal matrix composite [[piston]] for their [[Cosworth GMA]] [[V12 engine]] on the [[Gordon Murray Automotive T.50]] and [[Gordon Murray Automotive T.33]] supercars. 
* [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] offers a Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) [[driveshaft]] upgrade. The MMC driveshaft is made of an aluminum matrix reinforced with [[boron carbide]], allowing the critical speed of the driveshaft to be raised by reducing inertia. The MMC driveshaft has become a common modification for racers, allowing the top speed to be increased far beyond the safe operating speeds of a standard aluminum driveshaft.
* [[Honda]] has used aluminum matrix composite cylinder liners in some of their engines, including the [[Honda B20A engine|B21A1]], [[Honda H engine|H22A and H23A]], [[Honda F20C engine|F20C and F22C]], and the [[Honda C engine|C32B]] used in the [[Honda NSX|NSX]].
* [[Toyota]] has since used metal matrix composites in the [[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]]-designed [[Toyota ZZ engine#2ZZ-GE|2ZZ-GE]] engine which is used in the later Lotus [[Lotus Elise#Series 2|Lotus Elise S2]] versions as well as Toyota car models, including the eponymous [[Toyota Matrix]]. Porsche also uses MMCs to reinforce the engine's cylinder sleeves in the [[Porsche Boxster|Boxster]] and [[Porsche 911|911]].
* The [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]] uses monofilament silicon carbide fibers in a titanium matrix for a structural component of the jet's [[landing gear]].
* [[Specialized Bicycle Components|Specialized Bicycles]] has used aluminum MMC compounds for its top of the range [[bicycle]] frames for several years. [[Griffen Bicycles]] also made boron carbide-aluminum MMC bike frames, and [[Univega]] briefly did so as well.
* Some equipment in [[particle accelerator]]s such as [[Radio Frequency Quadrupole|Radio Frequency Quadrupoles (RFQs)]] or electron targets use copper MMC compounds such as [[Glidcop]] to retain the material properties of copper at high temperatures and radiation levels.<ref name=ratti>{{Cite book | isbn = 978-0-7803-5573-6 | volume = 2 | issue = 1 | pages = 884–886 | last = Ratti | first = A. | author2 = R. Gough | author3 = M. Hoff | author4 = R. Keller | author5 = K. Kennedy | author6 = R MacGill | author7 = J. Staples | title = Proceedings of the 1999 Particle Accelerator Conference (Cat. No.99CH36366) | chapter = The SNS RFQ prototype module | year = 1999 | doi = 10.1109/PAC.1999.795388 | bibcode = 1999pac..conf..884R | s2cid = 110540693 | chapter-url = http://tdserver1.fnal.gov/8gevlinacpapers/Front_End/SNS_RFQ_Prototype_PAC99.pdf | access-date = 2009-03-09 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100326134132/http://tdserver1.fnal.gov/8gevlinacpapers/Front_End/SNS_RFQ_Prototype_PAC99.pdf | archive-date = 2010-03-26 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name=mochizuki>{{Cite journal | volume = 5 | issue = 4 | pages = 1199–1201 | last = Mochizuki | first = T. |author2=Y. Sakurai |author3=D. Shu |author4=T. M. Kuzay |author5=H. Kitamura  | title = Design of Compact Absorbers for High-Heat-Load X-ray Undulator Beamlines at SPring-8 | journal = Journal of Synchrotron Radiation | year = 1998 | doi = 10.1107/S0909049598000387 | url= http://journals.iucr.org/s/issues/1998/04/00/az2000/az2000.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726201449/http://journals.iucr.org/s/issues/1998/04/00/az2000/az2000.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-26 |url-status=live | pmid = 16687820}}</ref>
* [[Copper]]-[[silver]] alloy matrix containing 55% by volume [[diamond]] particles, known as [[Dymalloy]], is used as a substrate for high-power, high-density [[multi-chip module]]s in electronics for its very high thermal conductivity. [[AlSiC]] is an aluminium-[[silicon carbide]] composite for similar applications.
* [[Aluminium]]-[[Graphite]] composites are used in power electronic modules because of their high [[thermal conductivity]], the adjustable [[coefficient of thermal expansion]] and the low [[density]].

MMCs are nearly always more expensive than the more conventional materials they are replacing. As a result, they are found where improved properties and performance can justify the added cost. Today these applications are found most often in aircraft components, [[space technology|space systems]] and high-end or "boutique" sports equipment. The scope of applications will certainly increase as manufacturing costs are reduced.

In comparison with conventional polymer matrix composites, MMCs are resistant to fire, can operate in wider range of temperatures, do not absorb [[moisture]], have better [[electrical conductivity|electrical]] and thermal conductivity, are resistant to [[radiation damage]], and do not display [[outgassing]]. On the other hand, MMCs tend to be more expensive, the fiber-reinforced materials may be difficult to fabricate, and the available experience in use is limited.