Commercial viability of Al-based MMCs in the automotive segment

Based on the cost-to-quality ratio evaluation related to automotive applications of discontinuously reinforced aluminum-based composites, R & D efforts, directed toward a further lowering of the cost of composite material, are considered. The results of the study indicate that a viable business concept for applications of discontinuously reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) in the automotive segment should be built up on the development of an end user-friendly and preferably one step production technology. This should be capable of producing near net-shaped automotive parts in MMC grade consisting of fine ceramic particles of average particle size around 1 mu m or less and keeping the production cost at the current level.