Preface. 1 Basics of Metal Matrix Composites (Karl Ulrich Kainer). 1.1 Introduction. 1.2 Combination of Materials for Light Metal Matrix Composites. 1.3 Mechanism of Reinforcement. 1.4 Interface Influence. 1.5 Structure and Properties of Light Metal Composite Materials. 1.6 Possible Applications of Metal Matrix Composites. 1.7 Recycling. References. 2 Particles, Fibers and Short Fibers for the Reinforcement of Metal Materials (Hajo Dieringa and Karl Ulrich Kainer). 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 Particles. 2.3 Continuous Fibers. 2.4 Short Fibers and Whiskers. References. 3 Preforms for the Reinforcement of Light Metals - Manufacture, Applications and Potential (R. Buschmann). 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Manufacturing Principle of Preforms. 3.3 Current Applications. 3.4 Summary and Outlook. References. 4 Aluminum-matrix Composite Materials in Combustion Engines (E. Kohler and J. Niehues). 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 Cylinder Crankcase Design Concepts and Cylinder Surface Technology. 4.3 Production of LOKASIL(r) Cylinder Crankcases. 4.4 Summary and Outlook. References. 5 Production of Composites or Bonding of Material by Thermal Coating Processes (B. Wielage, A. Wank, and J. Wilden). 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 Thermal Spraying. 5.3 Cladding. 5.4 Summary and Outlook. References. 6 Machining Technology Aspects of Al-MMC (K. Weinert, M. Buschka, and M. Lange). 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Machining Problems, Cutting Material Selection and Surface Layer Influence. 6.3 Processing of Components of Metal Matrix Composites. 6.4 Summary. References. 7 Mechanical Behavior and Fatigue Properties of Metal-Matrix Composites (H. Biermann and O. Hartmann). 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 Basics and State of Knowledge. 7.3 Experimental. 7.4 Results and Comparison of Different MMCs. 7.5 Summary. Acknowledgement. References. 8 Interlayers in Metal Matrix Composites: Characterisation and Relevance for the Material Properties (J. Woltersdorf, A. Feldhoff, and E. Pippel). 8.1 Summary. 8.2 The Special Role of Interfaces and Interlayers. 8.3 Experimental. 8.4 Interlayer Optimisation in C/Mg-Al Composites by Selection of Reaction Partners. 8.5 Interlayer Optimisation in C/Mg-Al Composites by Fiber Precoating. Acknowledgements. References. 9 Metallic Composite Materials for Cylinder Surfaces of Combustion Engines and Their Finishing by Honing (J. Schmid). 9.1 Introduction. 9.2 Composites Based on Light Metals. 9.3 Plasma Coatings. References. 10 Powder Metallurgically Manufactured Metal Matrix Composites (Norbert Hort and Karl Ulrich Kainer). 10.1 Summary. 10.2 Introduction. 10.3 Source Materials. 10.4 Manufacture of MMCs. 10.5 Materials. 10.6 Summary and Outlook. References. 11 Spray Forming - An Alternative Manufacturing Technique for MMC Aluminum Alloys (P. Krug, G. Sinha). 11.1 Introduction. 11.2 Spray Forming. 11.3 Techniques. 11.4 Materials. Acknowledgement. References. 12 Noble and Nonferrous Metal Matrix Composite Materials (C. Blawert). 12.1 Introduction. 12.2 Layer Composite Materials. 12.3 Particle Reinforced Composites. 12.4 Infiltration Composites. 12.5 Fiber Reinforced Composites. References. Subject Index.