Metallic Composite Definition

In understanding what a metallic composite is it is useful to understand what differentiates an alloy from a metallic composite. An alloy is a mixture containing two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements usually fused together or dissolving into each other when molten. A metallic composite must have at least two distinctive zones of metal of the same or different materials. Metallic composites are made by forming a metal onto a preform or in casting or through an extruder so two or more metals come into contact with one another making multi-layered articles with molecular bonding between the different metals. Metallic composites can be used to combine different properties of metals within the same material to obtain the best of each metals/alloys properties, high hardness with high strength, high electrical conductivity with high strength, high corrosion resistance with low mass, etc.