The existence of a small amount of rare earth metal oxides (REMOs) can greatly affect the structure and function of copper matrix composites owing to improvement of surface and interface properties between REMOs and metal matrix, and there are still some challenges concerning interfaces and complex interfacial reactions. This review summarizes the interfacial characteristics and strengthening mechanisms of REMO-reinforced copper matrix composites, including fabrication methods for solving rare earth metal oxide-dispersion problems and characterization of the microstructure and properties of REMO-reinforced copper matrix composites. In particular, the strengthening effects of various rare earth metal oxide-reinforced copper matrix composites are systematically summarized. The interface characteristics of composites from a thermodynamics standpoint and the strengthening mechanism are emphatically investigated and discussed in order to help unveil design principles and to provide reference for future research of REMO-reinforced copper matrix composites.
Keywords: copper matrix composites; interface; mechanical properties; microstructure; rare earth metal oxides (REMOs).