Manufacturing of metal matrix composites via stir casting: Developments and Chalenges

Today, metal matrix nanocomposites are widely used in many industries, including aerospace and automotive, due to their extraordinary properties such as hardness, strength to weight ratio and high modulus. But the high cost of manufacturing is one of the major challenges. Stir casting is recognized as one of the most cost-effective and simplest ways to fabrication of these materials. Recent progresses, such as the use of ultrasonic waves in stir casting or two-step stir casting, have led to the production of metal matrix nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical and tribological properties. In this paper, after classifying nanocomposites according to the type of reinforcement and matrix, different manufacturing methods are investigated. Among the available methods, stir casting process because of its simplicity, flexibility and availability as a cost-effective process of production metal-based nanocomposites, have been studied in detail. Finally, the effect of new techniques on improving the properties of metallic nanocomposites and challenges were evaluated.