Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg–7.4% Al Alloy Matrix Composites Reinforced by Nanocrystalline Al–Ca Intermetallic Particles

Mg–7.6% Al(in mass fraction) alloy matrix composites reinforced with different volume fractions of nanocrystalline Al3Ca8 particles were synthesized by powder metallurgy,and the effect of the volume fraction of reinforcement on the mechanical properties was studied.Room temperature compression test reveals considerable improvement on mechanical properties as compared to unreinforced matrix.The compressive strength increases from 683 MPa for unreinforced alloy matrix to about 767 and 823 MPa for the samples having 20 and 40 vol% of reinforcement,respectively,while retaining appreciable plastic deformation ranging between 12 and 24%.The specific strength of the composites increased significantly,demonstrating the effectiveness of the low-density Al3Ca8 reinforcement.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg-7.4% Al Alloy Matrix Composites Reinforced by Nanocrystalline Al-Ca Intermetallic Particles

Mg-7.6% Al (in mass fraction) alloy matrix composites reinforced with different volume fractions of nanocrystalline Al₃Ca₈ particles were synthesized by powder metallurgy, and the effect of the volume fraction of reinforcement on the mechanical properties was studied. Room temperature compression test reveals considerable improvement on mechanical properties as compared to unreinforced matrix. The compressive strength increases from 683 MPa for unreinforced alloy matrix to about 767 and 823 MPa for the samples having 20 and 40 vol% of reinforcement, respectively, while retaining appreciable plastic deformation ranging between 12 and 24%. The specific strength of the composites increased significantly, demonstrating the effectiveness of the low-density Al₃Ca₈ reinforcement.