In Situ Hybrid Aluminum Matrix Composites: A Review of Phase Transformations and Mechanical Aspects

The growing industrial needs for the development of strong load-bearing materials by powder metallurgy and casting technologies has led to recent progress in the synthesis of in situ hybrid aluminium matrix composites (AMCs). Unlike their conventional counterparts, this class of engineering materials and their physicomechanical properties are sparsely investigated with no satisfactorily systematic approach and are not reviewed up to now. This is why providing an overview summarizing the formation mechanisms of in situ phases and mechanical properties of hybrid AMCs can systematically guide the research path in this field. The present review strives to categorize hybrid AMCs based on their dominant in situ formed reinforcements and draw a comparison between different fabrication methods and used starting materials. Finally, the present challenges and potential solutions are addressed both from scientific and technological aspects.