Effects of Reinforcements on Mechanical and Microstructural Properties of Aerospace Al–Li Alloy-Based Composites: A Review

Composites are suitable materials to fulfil the multifunctional applications for the requirements of modern industry. The composites are fabricated by combining two or more materials whilst taking benefit of their individual properties. The composites fabricated with aluminium as matrix materials are known as aluminium metal matrix composites (AMC). The physical and mechanical qualities provided by AMCs for future material applications are remarkable. As per research findings, the inclusion of reinforcements into the metal-based matrices enhances the characteristics such as strength, stiffness, wear, fatigue and creep. Generally, ceramic particles are used as inclusions to enhance the above said properties of AMCs. Addition of Li to aluminium causes a drop in density and an increase in the elastic modulus along with significant improvement in strength. Al–Li alloys attract researchers because of their excellent wettability and the ability to be hardened by precipitation hardening. When ceramic particles are included in Al–Li alloys as reinforcements, the performance limitations of the alloys present a substantial improvement. The present article attempts to give an overview of the impacts of various types of reinforcements in Al–Li alloys. The review’s primary focus is to reveal the effects of different ceramic reinforcements such as SiC, B4C, TiB2 and Si3N4 on the mechanical and metallurgical characteristics of AMCs of Al–Li alloys.