EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF HYBRID AA6061 METAL MATRIX COMPOSITES

A composite material is a combination of two materials with different physical and chemical properties. When they are combined they create a material which is specialised to do a certain job, for instance to become stronger, lighter or resistant to electricity. It can also improve strength and stiffness. The reason for their use over traditional materials is because they improve the properties of their base materials and are applicable in many situations. Weight saving is one of the main reasons for using composite materials rather than conventional materials for components. Another advantage of using a composite over a conventional type of material is the thermal and chemical resistance as well as the electrical insulation properties. Unlike conventional materials, composites can have multiple properties not often found in a single material.