Particle reinforcement of magnesium composites SiCp/AZ80 and their mechanical properties after heat treatment

Abstract

In this paper, the mechanical enhancement of SiC particles reinforced AZ80 Mg-based metal-matrix composites (MMCs) was investigated. The Mg MMCs were prepared by the melt-stirring technique with addition of 1 wt.% of 4.5 μm SiC particles. Mg MMCs were processed by various heat treatments to change their mechanical properties. The hardness, ultimate tensile strength and yield strength of Mg alloy (AZ80) can be improved by adding reinforcement particles (becomes AZ80 MMCs). The 10 h – T6 heat treated AZ80/1wt.%SiC has highest ultimate tensile strength of 256 MPa, which is much higher than 186 MPa of as-cast AZ80. By virtue of addition of only 1 wt.% SiC micro-particles, the strength of as-cast AZ80 increases tremendously (approx. 30 % increase) both for as-cast and T6 heat treated Mg MMCs. K e y w o r d s: metal matrix composites, magnesium alloy, micro-scaled silicon carbide, heat treatment