About this Research Topic
Owing to their significant impact on improving both mechanical and thermal/functional properties of traditional ceramic and metallic materials, ceramic- and metal-matrix composites (CMCs and MMCs) have been in the spotlight in recent years. With the advent of nanoscience and nanotechnology, their application span has broadened further. Interestingly enough, recently, several agricultural and industrial-based composite materials have been reported, such as rice-husk-based composite materials.
Moreover, when more than one property can be exploited simultaneously, the multifunctional composite is even more attractive for satisfying most of the current society´s technological demands in medicine, electronics, mechanical, environmental, aeronautical and aerospace, military, and maritime engineering, and sports/entertainment.
The development of in situ formed phases (which may be reinforcing, thermal or functional phases) during the processing/synthesis of the composites constitutes another advancement in the field of ceramic and metal-matrix composite as a way of energy-saving approach as compared to ex situ synthesized phases that can be incorporated in a composite's matrix. The confluence of crucial features of the material, like a lightweight prerequisite and other thermal/functional properties, has stimulated the development of new or modified composite materials.
Accordingly, this Research Topic focuses on the recent advances in the science and technology of multifunctional CMCs and MMCs, covering the processing/manufacturing aspects, the resulting microstructures, and properties (mechanical, thermal, and functional) up to their current or potential applications. Acknowledging the increasingly growing environmental concern, it is paramount to include the economic, safety, social, and sustainability/recycling aspects in this publication topic.
Areas to be covered in this Research Topic may include, but are not limited to:
• Innovative and traditional matrix compositions.
• Micro- and nano-composites (matrix; functional, thermal or reinforcing phases).
• Reinforcements as continuous and short fibers, whiskers and particles.
• Characterization of interfaces in composites.
• Composites with multimodal distribution of matrix, reinforcing/thermal/functional phases.
• Hybrid composites containing ex-situ and in-situ formed phases.
• Synthetic and natural or waste/recycling reinforcing/thermal/functional phases.
• Mechanical behavior and fracture of CMCs and MMCs
• Methods for joining/welding MMCs or MMCs with metallic alloys.
• Manufacturing costs related topics; Safety considerations in CMCs and MMCs.
• Societal impact; Sustainability and recycling aspects.
Keywords: Hybrid CMCs and MMCs, Nanocomposites, Waste/recycling CMCs and MMCs, Manufacture of CMCs and MMCs, Mechanical behavior, Thermal behavior, Functional properties
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