History and Consortium
StructureThe Aluminum MMC Consortium grew out of a series of workshops held in 1995 and 1996 at which the need for a collaborative effort to expand the applications for aluminum Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) was recognized. The Consortium was formalized through the signing of a contractual joint venture agreement between the Founding Members in December 1997.
Voting Members:
Non-Voting Members:
Technologies Research Corporation (TRC), a subsidiary of NCMS, serves as facilitator for the Consortium. (Contact: Manish Mehta.)
Member
Company ProfilesLearn more about the current members.
Aluminum MMC Consortium User Resource
Center
Consortium BackgroundWhat is DRA:
The efforts of the Consortium are initially focused on Discontinuously Reinforced Aluminum (DRA) materials, which are a class of metal matrix composites in which an aluminum matrix is reinforced with ceramic particles, whiskers, or short fibers.
DRA materials have the potential for redefining the limits of aluminum materials because of their unique combinations of properties -- the stiffness of titanium, better wear resistance than steel, and tailorable coefficient of thermal expansion, all while maintaining the light weight characteristics of aluminum. These properties, combined with continued development of low-cost processing methods, offer the potential for significantly expanded use.
At present, North America leads the world in the materials and process technology as well as production capability for DRA materials. For the full market potential of DRA materials to be realized, however, creative solutions to the remaining manufacturing technology and design issues, focused on lower cost production and components, are needed. Manufacturing knowledge for DRA, while adequate for the current parts, needs to be expanded to broaden the range of potential applications. In addition, while successful products have been designed and implemented, the information that would enable extension of these successes to other products and markets is not widely accessible.
That's where the Aluminum MMC Consortium comes in.
Initial efforts of the Consortium will be focused in two main areas: 1) Technology Development Programs in specific pre-competitive areas to address the manufacturing technology needs; 2) A User Resource Center to provide assistance to both the user and producer communities.
For further information or comments, contact:
Manish Mehta, Ph.D.
Director, AlMMC Consortium and
Executive Director, Industry Forums
National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS)
3025 Boardwalk Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA
(734) 995-4938 (voice)
(734) 995-1150 (fax)
manishm@ncms.org
www.ncms.org
www.almmc.com