Fabrication of Metal Matrix Composites using the Submerged Friction Stir Processing Technique: A Recent Progress Review

The design of structures and their components requires versatility due to the complexity of the loads that these structures and components are exposed to. Traditional materials generally do not have this feature of versatility and therefore, new materials are needed. Metal matrix composites are metallic materials that are promising to possess the versatility feature. However, the fabrication of these types of materials requires special attention. This paper reviews specifically the fabrication of metal matrix composites through the use of the friction stir processing technique coupled with water. The discussion deals with the fabrication of composites using single-pass and multipass submerged friction stir processing techniques. These fabrication methods still do not receive much attention even though they possess a significant microstructural influence.