Metal Matrix Composites Reinforced by MAX Phase Ceramics: Fabrication, Properties and Bioinspired Designs

MAX phase ceramics, with their mixed covalent-metallic-ionic atomic bonds, can uniquely combine the property advantages of both metals and ceramics, offering a series of unique characteristics The unique layered atomic structure further endows them with decent fracture toughness, good damping capacity, and self-lubricating property.As such, MAX phase ceramics are more appealing to serve as reinforcements for metal matrix composites than conventional ceramic materials.To date, the fabrication of metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced by MAX phase ceramics involves the use of stir casting, powder metallurgy, and melt infiltration techniques.The obtained composites made by different methods may display distinct differences in their structural characteristics, show notable enhancement in strength, hardness, and stiffness compared to their metal matrices, and exhibit good wear resistance, high electrical conductivity and remarkable arc erosion resistance.Moreover, ultrafine MAX phase platelets can be preferentially oriented and aligned, e.g., by using vacuum filtration or ice templating techniques.By infiltrating metal melt into partially sintered porous ceramic scaffolds, bioinspired composites with nacre-like architectures can be obtained, thereby affording further improvement in strength and fracture toughness.The good combinations of mechanical and functional properties make the metal matrix composites reinforced by MAX phase ceramics promising for a variety of applications, such as load-bearing structures, electrical contact materials, and more.These composites can offer enhanced strength, stiffness, and wear resistance, making them ideal candidates for these applications.