Metal Matrix Syntactic Composites

Abstract

Syntactic foams have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their potential for weight saving in packaging, armours, and vehicle structures. Metal matrix syntactic foams (MMSFs) are lightweight closed-cell composite foams produced by reinforcing hollow particles in the metal matrix. MMSFs can be synthesized with mechanical properties high enough to enable them to be used for load-bearing applications, raising the possibilities of structural weight reduction in numerous applications. Significant research efforts have been carried out on Mg, Al, Pb, Zn, Ti, Ni, Fe, and Invar matrix syntactic foams in recent years to tailor and enhance mechanical properties based on end applications. The present chapter reviews the recent state of the art in metal matrix syntactic foams and presents the fundamentals of structure-property correlations for syntactic foamsand synthesis methods that aid in developing multifunctionality in these composites. This chapter also reviews the weight saving ability of metal matrix syntactic foams and their potential scope and applications. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.