Oxidation of ZC63 Mg alloys reinforced with SiC particles between 390 °C and 500 °C in air

The ZC63 magnesium alloys reinforced with 10 wt.% of SiC particles with an average particle size of 50 μm were cast. The fabricated SiC_p/ZC63 composite consisted of an α-Mg matrix, unreacted α-SiC particles, and an intergranularly formed CuMgZn compound. It was oxidized at 390 °C to 500 °C up to 5 h in air. The oxide scales were thin and compact below 430 °C, but became porous and loose above 450 °C. They consisted primarily of MgO and a small amount of Mg₃N₂. SiC particles were stable over the temperature range explored.