Aluminum/Silicon Carbide Matrix Material for Targeting System

Lockheed Martin Missiles Fire Control LMMFC of Orlando, FL, is currently in the process of producing components using Metal Matrix Composite MMC materials. This material is most desirable in high performance applications due to their improved material properties over monolithic metals. The most common MMC is cast aluminum reinforced with various amounts of silicon carbide. LMMFC is currently machining very high precision components for targeting systems from cast aluminumsilicon carbide AISiC matrix material with a very high SiC content and are experiencing difficulty achieving the accuracy they require due to excessive tool wear and failure, from the properties of this material. LMMFC demands are increasing for the manufacture of targeting systems from AISiC matrix material. Therefore, LMMFC called upon the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining NCDMM to research and provide a more efficient solution to produce these components to specifications required by LMAC.