Affiliation: | aFaculty of Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, London N6A 5B9, Canada bAdvanced Materials Design, Industrial Materials Institute, National Research Council of Canada, London N6G 4X8, Canada |
Abstract: | Metal injection molding (MIM) is a near net-shape manufacturing technology that is capable of mass production of complex parts cost-effectively. The unique features of the process make it an attractive route for the fabrication of metal matrix composite materials. In this paper, the status of the research and development in fabricating metal matrix composites by MIM is reviewed, with a major focus on material systems, fabrication methods, resulting material properties and microstructures. Also, limitations and needs of the technique in composite fabrication are presented in the literature. The full potential of MIM process for fabricating metal matrix composites is yet to be explored. |