How to Master Interfaces in MMCs with Reactive Constituents

It is evident that the interface in MMCs plays a crucial role with respect to thermophysical and mechanical properties of the composites. Inert systems like copper/carbon or silver/carbon will have low performance due to a very weak bonding between the constituents, whereas in reactive systems like Al/carbon, Fe(Ni)/WC and WC-Co/diamond the interfacial reaction has to be clearly controlled to avoid uncontrolled reactions. Such reactions may lead to partial or even complete dissolution of the phases and thus can have very detrimental impact on properties. In this contribution, we will summarize and present different approaches and recent results to overcome any interfacial problems. This can be either technological parameters like time, temperature, rate of consolidation, contact time in infiltration or inherent parameters like nominal composition, coatings, and surface terminations. It is of general interest to adjust optimal interfacial conditions for each application to achieve ideal properties in the composites.