Feb 15 2011
A Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) is the combination of metallic phases/matrices (plastics, metals, etc) armored/reinforced with fibers, wires, gases, and other materials.
MMCs were developed for certain applications for which no suitable material existed. MMCs not only save energy but also increase the product’s durability in which they are used. Rapid adoption of MMCs over the years is attributed to their constant development in terms of such characteristics that are hard to find in alloys or metals. Currently, high strength and stiffness are the major factors propelling the demand for composite materials. Of late, MMCs are increasingly finding application in several new industries, with automobiles and microprocessors being the most important and lucrative. In the automobile industry, MMCs are being used to facilitate in production of lighter vehicles in order to enhance fuel efficiency, while in the microprocessor industry, the composites help to meet the heat generation challenges posed by increasing performance of microprocessors.
The MMC market suffered a major setback in recent years as demand from key end-use markets including Ground Transportation, Electronics/Thermal Management, Industrial and Aerospace sectors contracted significantly amid the global recession. The strong four-year growth cycle witnessed in the aerospace and defense industry came to a screeching halt in 2008 as the downturn hit the commercial aerospace sales growth in both the developed and developing nations. The automobile industry, another important market for MMCs was among the worst hit industries during the recession with plummeting sales, higher interest rates, low availability of finance and excess capacities.
With the global economy exhibiting ‘green shoots’ of recovery, the MMC market is also back on its growth trajectory with demand gradually picking up in major application markets including aerospace, thermal management, defense, nuclear, and ground transportation. In addition, reduction in production costs of MMCs is expected to boost demand in the transportation sector. With many universities and manufacturers also engaged in research and development, the future market for MMCs is all set to flourish. Applications of MMCs in supersonic space vehicles are likely in the future with the development initiatives being undertaken by major companies in Japan and the United States.
The US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific (including Japan) corner a lion’s share of the market, with the US being the largest market, as stated by the new market research report on metal matrix composites. Asian countries led by China are expected to drive future growth in the MMC market in terms of consumption exhibiting a CAGR of 6.5% over the analysis period. Product-wise, refractory metal matrix composites represent both the largest as well as the fastest growing segment. Among the various end-use industries for metal matrix composites, the aerospace market is expected to emerge as the fastest, with a CAGR of more than 4.0% over the analysis period.
Market players in the MMC industry either specialize in specific product categories or use particular production process or material. Major Players operating in the Metal matrix composites market include 3A Composites, 3M Company, ADMA Products, Inc., Aerospace Metal Composites Limited, Ametek Specialty Metal Products, Brush Engineered Materials Inc, Ceradyne, Inc., CPS Technologies Corporation, Composite Technology Corporation, DWA Aluminum Composites, Deutsche Edelstahlwerke GmbH, Electrovac AG, FMW Composite Systems, Inc., Foster-Miller, Inc., Hitachi Metals, Ltd., Metal Matrix Cast Composites LLC, MI-Tech Metals Inc., Momentive Performance Materials Inc., N.V. Bekaert S.A., Thresher Industries, Inc., Thermal Transfer Composites LLC, among others.
The research report titled “Metal Matrix Composites: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. provides a comprehensive review of market trends, issues, drivers, company profiles, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic industry activities. The metal matrix composites market is analyzed in US$ Million and ‘000 lbs by the following geographic regions – United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific (including Japan), and Rest of World. Segments analyzed under the report include Aluminum Matrix Composites, Nickel Matrix Composites, Refractory Metal Matrix Composites, and Other Metal Matrix Composites. In addition, the report also analyzes consumption of metal matrix composites by the following end use markets: Ground Transportation, Electronics/Thermal Management, Aerospace, Industrial, and Others (including consumer products and defense sectors).
Source: http://www.strategyr.com/