The present application discloses a ceramic preform, a method of making a ceramic preform, a MMC comprising a ceramic preform, and a method of making a MMC. The method of making a ceramic preform generally comprises preparing reinforcing fibers, preparing a ceramic compound, and forming the compound into a desired shape to create the ceramic preform. In certain embodiments, the ceramic compound is formed as either a disc or a ring for use in a brake disc metal matrix composite. The metal matrix composite generally comprises the ceramic preform infiltrated with a molten metal to form the brake disc metal matrix composite. The method of making the metal matrix composite generally comprises heating the ceramic preform, placing the ceramic preform in a mold cavity of a die cast mold, and introducing molten metal into the mold cavity to infiltrate the ceramic preform to form the brake disc metal matrix composite.