Coating techniques for metal matrix composites

Unidirectionally reinforced metal matrix composites (MMC's) have generated a considerable amount of interest in the materials field because of their potential applications in ultra-high strength metals. In several MMC systems a coating is interposed between the fiber and matrix in order to prevent interfacial reactions, or to achieve good wetting of the fiber. The purpose of this paper is to review the coating techniques which are used to form suitable diffusion barriers at the fiber/matrix interface, and to highlight the advantages which result in terms of microstructural stability for a given MMC system.