12/19/2005 -
Metal Matrix Composites (2005)
by N. Chawla and K.K. Chawla
ISBN 0-387-23306-7. Springer, Berlin, Germany. 2005. Hardcover. 401 pages. $99.
Interests in composite materials over the last several decades have led to numerous monographs on composites and their design, analysis, manufacture, and applications. Books specifically devoted to metal-matrix composites, however, have been a minority. Written by two well-known researchers in the composites community, this book by N. Chawla and K.K. Chawla has successfully filled the gap.
The book was designed for upper-level undergraduate students, graduate students, and engineering professionals as a textbook or a general source of reference on metal-matrix composites. Various forms of the composite are included: particle reinforced, short fiber or whisker reinforced, and continuous fiber and sheet reinforced. Following a brief introductory chapter, ten more chapters are presented on reinforcements, matrix materials, processing, interface, micromechanics, monotonic behavior, cyclic fatigue, creep, wear, and applications. Basically all aspects deserving coverage are included.
The authors did a good job in presenting a rich body of up-to-date, but not overwhelming, information. Many parts in the first several chapters bear resemblance to those in a previous book written by the second author, K.K. Chawla (Composite Materials, 2nd ed., Springer-Verlag, New York. 1998.). While some newer information was provided in those repeated sections, many treatments in this current text were actually slightly reduced, possibly with an intention of conserving space and thus enhancing readability. Readers will gain a fairly good grasp of the various types of reinforcement and matrix materials along with the processing and interface characteristics after a quick read through the first one-third of the book.
Chapter Six on micromechanics is largely a compilation of representative classical mathematical relationships between the composite properties and the properties of the constituents. The equations presented therein will be handy when the reader is in need of a quick reference. Suitable explanations were given on the origin and applicability of these formulas. One nice aspect of this chapter is that, in addition to the elastic properties of the composite, some physical properties such as coefficient of thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity were included as well.
Chapters 7–10 (on monotonic behavior, cyclic fatigue, creep, and wear) constitute the best part of the book. The authors present a wide range of experimental, analytical, and numerical studies, many by the authors, on the mechanical behavior of a variety of metal-matrix composites. A fine balance between thoroughness and succinctness was achieved. Researchers interested in the relationships among structure, processing, and mechanical properties will surely gain valuable insight after digesting the material.
The last chapter includes brief discussions on industrial applications of metal-matrix composites, encompassing areas such as aerospace, ground transportation, electronics, national defense, power conduction, recreational goods, and machine tools.
Throughout the book, the reader will find extensive use of illustrations to supplement the text. The illustrations are generally of good quality. There are references given at the end of each chapter. The reference lists are not exhaustive, but certainly adequate. With the vast amount of research articles on metal-matrix composites published in journals and conference proceedings over several decades, the authors have indeed succeeded in selecting an appropriate quantity of important past work and threading them into this coherent volume of reasonable length. One disturbing element, however, is the more than three dozen mistakes throughout the book, mostly proofreading errors. Although the errors may not cause distraction to an intolerable extent, the reader will be better served if the overall accuracy can be improved.
In summary, this book is a valuable contribution and needed addition to the composite materials literature. It will prove very useful for students, researchers, and engineering professionals working on, or having an interest in, metal-matrix composites, which have now become real-life engineering materials.
For more on Metal Matrix Composites, visit the TMS web site.
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