Modern scientific and technological fields are frequently of an interdisciplinary nature, and the field of fibrous composites is no exception. Unlike fibre-reinforced plastics, the family of metal- and ceramic-based composites is still quite a new group of materials with a large variety of mechanical and physical properties. Up until now it has been difficult to produce these materials as the necessary technical information has not been well documented.The main purpose of this book is to link together fabrication, structure and properties chains, so as to clarify which structure provides the necessary properties, and how one can attain the correct composite structure. To this end, the book not only contains topics of a purely technical nature, but also a description of the failure mechanics of metal- and ceramic-matrix composites, as this is the key to understanding the structure-properties segment of the chain mentioned.The book is divided into three parts. Part I presents a general view of composites with the accent on metal- and ceramic-matrix composites. It also contains a brief description of modern fibres and composites and can be considered, at least for beginners, as a starting point for further study. Part II looks at the composite microstructures considered to be either optimal or reasonable in resisting a particular loading. Finally Part II describes a variety of mechanical, physical, and chemical potential for organizing these microstructures. Experimental data on technologies, material structures, and material properties are used throughout the book to support theoretical conclusions or to obtain important physical parameters.

Sintering is a method for manufacturing components from ceramic or metal powders by heating the powder until the particles adhere to form the component required. The resulting products are characterised by an enhanced density and strength, and are used in a wide range of industries. Sintering of advanced materials: fundamentals and processes reviews important developments in this technology and its applicationsPart one discusses the fundamentals of sintering with chapters on topics such as the thermodynamics of sintering, kinetics and mechanisms of densification, the kinetics of microstructural change and liquid phase sintering. Part two reviews advanced sintering processes including atmospheric sintering, vacuum sintering, microwave sintering, field/current assisted sintering and photonic sintering. Finally, Part three covers sintering of aluminium, titanium and their alloys, refractory metals, ultrahard materials, thin films, ultrafine and nanosized particles for advanced materials.With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Sintering of advanced materials: fundamentals and processes reviews the latest advances in sintering and is a standard reference for researchers and engineers involved in the processing of ceramics, powder metallurgy, net-shape manufacturing and those using advanced materials in such sectors as electronics, automotive and aerospace engineering. - Explores the thermodynamics of sintering including sinter bonding and densification - Chapters review a variety of sintering methods including atmosphere, vacuum, liquid phase and microwave sintering - Discusses sintering of a variety of materials featuring refractory metals, super hard materials and functionally graded materials

Examines the latest processing and fabrication methods There is increasing interest in the application of advanced ceramic materials in diverse areas such as transportation, energy, environmental protection and remediation, communications, health, and aerospace. This book guides readers through a broad selection of key processing techniques for ceramics and their composites, enabling them to manufacture ceramic products and components with the properties needed for various industrial applications. With chapters contributed by internationally recognized experts in the field of ceramics, the book includes traditional fabrication routes as well as new and emerging approaches in order to meet the increasing demand for more reliable ceramic materials. Ceramics and Composites Processing Methods is divided into three sections: * Densification, covering the fundamentals and practice of sintering, pulsed electric current sintering, and viscous phase silicate processing * Chemical Methods, examining colloidal methods, sol-gel, gel casting, polymer processing, chemical vapor deposition, chemical vapor infiltration, reactive melt infiltration, and combustion synthesis * Physical Methods, including directional solidification, solid free-form fabrication, microwave processing, electrophoretic deposition, and plasma spraying Each chapter focuses on a particular processing method or approach. Collectively, these chapters offer readers comprehensive, state-of-the-science information on the many approaches, techniques, and methods for the processing and fabrication of advanced ceramics and ceramic composites. With its coverage of the latest processing methods, Ceramics and Composites Processing Methods is recommended for researchers and students in ceramics, materials science, structural materials, biomedical engineering, and nanotechnology.