VISION:

The Centre for Metal Matrix Composites Research (CMMCR) shall be known as a centre of excellence laboratory investigating mechanical characterisation and fatigue research of various structural materials (metal matrix composites), with a unique combination of experiments and modeling through the effective union of the disciplines of manufacturing and materials science and engineering.

MISSION:

• To conduct leading edge research with emphasis on automobile and aerospace applications.
• To significantly enhance the research capabilities amongst students
• To disseminate valuable information through research, publication and presentation, thereby serving as a technical resource for industry and nearby institutions.

INTRODUCTION:

Technological progress results in the continuous expansion of structural material type and in an improvement of their properties. Generally, new materials emerge because of a natural desire to improve the efficiency of proposed structures. According to present environmental awareness and pollution norms all manufacturers were increasing the use of high specific strength materials in their products. Thus it is evident that even when high strength materials were available their use has been limited due to their high cost of fabrication. In order to increase the use of environment friendly products, cost of fabrication has to be kept low. One such ancient technique that produces complicated parts at low cost was casting. Strength of the castings have been improved by adding different types of reinforcements at different sizes to form a composite material called Metal Matrix Composites (MMC). They are metals reinforced with other metal, ceramic or organic compounds. They are made by dispersing the reinforcements in the metal matrix. Reinforcements are usually done to improve the properties of the base metal like strength, stiffness, conductivity etc., Aluminium and its alloys have attracted most attention as base metal in metal matrix composites. Aluminium MMCS are widely used in aircraft, aerospace, automobiles and various other fields. The reinforcements should be stable in the given working temperature and non-reactive too. The particle distribution plays a very vital role in the properties of Al MMC and is improved by intensive shearing.

Fabrication process of such MMCS by casting was called as liquid metallurgy (lm). This being the decade of Nano materials and use of such materials in MMCS were observed to be superior to micro particles and were named as Nano Metal Matrix Composites (NMMC). These were creating great interest amongst researchers due to their good mechanical properties. Use of Nano Materials as reinforcement was made as they act as good barriers for cracks, during propagation thus achieving high strength. In view of conserving environment by increasing the use of light weight high strength NMMCS to all engineering applications, research on NMMCS is carried out in centre for metal matrix composites research.

STUDY AREA:

• Manufacturing Engineering (fabrication and mechanical testing of nano metal matrix composites)

OBJECTIVES:

CENTRE IMPACT-EXPECTED OUTCOME:

The research outcome will be delivered to the industries and other national laboratories involved in design, analysis and fabrication of nano metal matrix composite structures.

• To provide consultancy services for the nearby institutions.
• Project staff to be engaged for carrying out the work will be trained.
• To create and update general research capabilities among students and faculty members.

TEAM :