Intrinsically smart, metal matrix composites (MMCs) are lightweight and high-performance materials having ever expanding industrial applications. The structural and the functional properties of these materials can be altered as per the industrial demands. The process technologies indulged in fabrication and machining of these materials attract the researchers and industrial community. Hybrid electric discharge machining is a promising and the most reliable nonconventional machining process for MMCs. It exhibits higher competence for machining complex shapes with greater accuracy. This paper presents an up-to-date review of progress and benefits of different routes for fabrication and machining of composites. It reports certain practical analysis and research findings including various issues on fabrication and machining of MMCs. It is concluded that polycrystalline tools and diamond-coated tools are best suitable for various conventional machining operations. High speed, small depth of cut and low feed rate are a key to better finish. In addition, hybrid electrical discharge machining has proved to be an active research area in critical as well as nonconventional machining since last few years. This paper incorporates year-wise research work done in fabrication, conventional machining, nonconventional machining, and hybrid machining of MMCs. Conclusions and future scope are addressed in the last section of the paper.

The most challenging objective in the electronic industries is to develop materials that demonstrate a tunable thermal property with today's microelectronic devices. The development of composite material with balanced thermal properties is highly appreciated and currently competing the traditional monolithic conductive material. However, the tailored thermal properties of the composite are significantly influenced by the composites constituents and their fabrication routes. This article presents a review of thermal properties of particulate as well as fiber-reinforced composite proportional to matrix microstructure, reinforcement architecture. The processing techniques used to fabricate composites have been addressed with an objective to achieve suitable thermal properties. The developments in the analytical and numerical simulation approach to predict the thermal conductivity and CTE of the developed composites have been critically reviewed. Lastly, future work needs attention is summarized.

Surface modifications of biomaterials play a vital role in matching the complexities of the biological system and improving the performance of bioimplants. Suitably customised surface modifications can substantially enhance the relation of material towards biocompatibility, bondability and host cells associations. In addition, materials surface engineering accelerates the progression and configuration of next-generation biomaterials and restorative gadgets. This review article dedicates to the surface modification techniques of several essential metallic biomaterials, viz. stainless steel, magnesium, titanium and chromium–cobalt. It presents the unique novel futuristic method of surface modification via electrical discharge machining (EDM) process which still awaits to prove its potential in the biomedical domain. Previously established research work on this nonconventional machining process elucidates that an adequate surface integrity can be achieved by control of crucial EDM process parameters such as pulse on, pulse off, current, polarity, dielectric medium and tool electrodes. Therefore, there is ample scope for the EDM process in examining the issues related to the synthesis and precise shaping of the bioimplants.