2. Typology and properties of reinforcements

A distinction is made between discontinuous reinforcements, where all dimensions are much smaller than the dimensions of the metal matrix composite, and continuous reinforcements, where at least one dimension is greater than or equal to the dimensions of the composite. The volume fraction of reinforcements can be measured after dissolution of the matrix (standard ASTM D 3553-76 ) or image processing on digital or electronic micrographs or chemical analysis (e.g. carbon content measurement for carbon reinforcements).

Table 2 lists the main properties of the most commonly used continuous and discontinuous reinforcements. This list is by no means exhaustive.