Silicon Nitride as a Reinforcement for Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites to Enhance Microstructural, Mechanical and Tribological Behavior

In recent years, aluminium and its hybrid composites receiving more attention due to its excellent property combinations like improved mechanical properties, better wear and high corrosion resistance, ease to process and probably reduced production cost etc.. Composite is made of two phases one is matrix and another one is reinforcement. The performance of composite highly depends on some key factors that decide overall performance and they are properties of constituent phases, reinforcement size, reinforcement distribution in the matrix and their interfacial interaction. Particle reinforced metal matrix composites (particulate metal matrix composites- PMMCs) are becoming more popular due to their low cost, easy to process and compatible to conventional processing techniques. Also they give isotropic properties. The most commonly used reinforcements are carbides, oxides and nitrides. A lot of research has taken place including carbide and oxide as a reinforcement particles for aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) and hybrid aluminium matrix composites (HAMCs) while there is a bit research lag in use of nitride as a reinforcement for development of AMCs and HAMCs. Recent competitive market demands the material having better combination of properties, cost effectiveness and eco-friendly nature. Present article focused on to study the microstructural features, physical properties, mechanical and tribological behavior of aluminium matrix composites when reinforced with silicon nitride particles (Si3N4). Potential area of applications has also been suggested on the basis of literature data. In this review a comprehensive study has done for current scientific development carried out in Al based Si3N4 composites as well as its future scope has also been discussed.