I. The "Mystery of the Origin" of Composite Metal Materials

What is a composite metal material?

Composite metal materials are new types of materials formed by combining two or more different materials (such as metal with metal, metal with ceramics, metal with fibers) through specific processes. Its core feature is:

Layered or mixed structure: For instance, in aluminum matrix composites, aluminum alloy serves as the matrix, while carbon fiber or silicon carbide particles act as the reinforcing phase.

Complementary properties: The base metal provides plasticity and toughness, while the reinforcing phase enhances strength, hardness or thermal conductivity.

Designability: By adjusting the composition and process, features such as lightweight, high-temperature resistance, and high electrical conductivity can be customized.

2. Why are composite metal materials needed?

Traditional single materials have obvious shortcomings:

Pure aluminium is too soft to withstand high stress.

Stainless steel is relatively heavy and has poor thermal conductivity;

Titanium alloys are costly and difficult to process.

However, composite materials have resolved these contradictions by "complementing each other's strengths". For example:

Aluminum-based silicon carbide composites: Their strength is close to that of titanium alloys, their weight is only one-third of theirs, and their thermal conductivity is three times that of aluminum alloys.

Titanium-based carbon fiber composite materials: used in aero engine blades, with high-temperature resistance enhanced by 200℃.

Ii. The "Superpower" of Composite Metal Materials

A perfect balance between lightweight and high strength

Case: The battery pack frame of the new energy vehicle adopts magnesium-based composite materials, reducing the weight by 40% while increasing the load-bearing capacity by 25% and extending the driving range by 5%.

Principle: The reinforcing phase (such as carbon fiber) is uniformly distributed in the base metal like "reinforcing bars", preventing crack propagation.

2. Ultimate environmental adaptability

High-temperature resistance: Nickel-based alloy/ceramic composites can withstand temperatures up to 1200 ° C and are used in the combustion chambers of aerospace engines.

Corrosion resistance: The lifespan of titanium matrix composites in seawater is five times that of stainless steel, making them suitable for Marine equipment.

Anti-wear: Copper-based graphite composite materials used in high-speed rail brake pads have a stable friction coefficient and extend service life by 30%.

3. Multi-functional integration

Thermal conductivity + electrical conductivity: Aluminum-based copper mesh composite materials are used in 5G base station heat dissipation panels, with a thermal conductivity of up to 200 W/(m·K).

Shielding + Lightweight: Aluminum alloy/graphene composite materials used in mobile phone casings increase electromagnetic shielding efficiency by 90%.

Self-healing: Composite materials containing shape memory alloys can restore their shape after damage and are used in deployable structures of spacecraft.