INTERPENETRATING PHASE COMPOSITES

An assessment of the processing and properties of interpenetrating phase composites is presented. Such materials, defined as multiphase composites in which each phase is topologically interconnected throughout the microstructure, were the subject of a DOE Basic Energy Sciences sponsored workshop on research needs and opportunities held in July 1989 in Snowmass, Colorado. In place of a report representing the proceedings of the workshop, this paper provides a review of the field in its present, nascent state and identifies some of the critical scientific and technological issues posed by development of this class of material. The emphasis is on processing approaches and properties of interpenetrating phase composites. A list of the participants contributing to the workshop is given.