Application of milling in synthesizing nanostructured metal matrix composite powder

Metal matrix composite (MMC) materials comprise two or more constituents in which a continuous metallic phase, known as matrix, contains one or more dispersed phases as reinforcement or manipulator of the mechanical properties of the matrix phase. This chapter presents milling parameters, such as the milling ball size, quantity of balls, service temperature of the milling container, milling duration and speed, and so on. It describes the determination of the size of the particles in the powder, homogeneity of the powder, porosity, and degree of conglomeration of the particles during and after milling using the milling parameters. The chapter covers the various methods of preparation and milling of the required constituent powders in order to produce semi or final MMC powder. These methods include ball milling, attrition milling, wet and dry milling, and milling in liquid nitrogen. The chapter also provides brief information on the different methods of MMC fabrication.