Enhanced mechanical response of hybrid alloy AZ31 /AZ91 based on the addition of Si3N4 nanoparticles

• Published in: Materials science & engineering. A, Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing, 2011, Vol.528 (21), p.6545-6551
• Main Authors: PARAMSOTHY, M, CHAN, J, KWOK, R, GUPTA, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Dispersion hardening metals; Elasticity. Plasticity; Exact sciences and technology; Failure; Magnesium base alloys; Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology; Metals. Metallurgy; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanostructure; Powder metallurgy. Composite materials; Production techniques; Silicon nitride; Texture; Ultimate tensile strength
• ISSN: 0921-5093; 1873-4936
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2011.05.003

The tensile strength and ductility of AZ31/AZ91 hybrid magnesium alloy with Si3N4 nanoparticles were studied. AZ31/AZ91 hybrid alloy nanocomposite containing Si3N4 nanoparticle reinforcement was fabricated using solidification processing followed by hot extrusion. The nanocomposite exhibited a similar grain size to the monolithic hybrid alloy, reasonable Si3N4 nanoparticle distribution, non-dominant (0002) texture in the longitudinal direction, and 13% higher hardness than the monolithic hybrid alloy. Compared to the monolithic hybrid alloy (in tension), the nanocomposite simultaneously exhibited higher yield strength, ultimate strength, failure strain and work of fracture (+12%, +5%, +64% and +71%, respectively). Compared to the monolithic hybrid alloy (in compression), the nanocomposite exhibited higher yield strength and ultimate strength, lower failure strain and higher work of fracture (+35%, +4%, -6% and +6%, respectively). The beneficial effects of Si3N4 nanoparticle addition on the enhancement of tensile and compressive properties of AZ31/AZ91 hybrid alloy were investigated.