Development of high performance magnesium nanocomposites using solidification processing route.

In the present study, elemental and nanoAl2O3 particulate reinforced magnesium materials were synthesised using an innovative disintegrated melt deposition technique followed by hot extrusion. Microstructural characterisation of the composite samples showed retention and uniform distribution of reinforcement, grain refinement of magnesium matrix, and the presence of minimal porosity. Physical properties characterisation revealed that the addition of nanoAl2O3 particulates as reinforcement improves the dimensional stability of pure magnesium. Mechanical properties characterisation revealed that the presence of nanoAl2O3 reinforcement led to significant improvement in hardness, elastic modulus, 0·2% yield strength, UTS and ductility. The results further revealed that the combination of 0·2% yield strength, UTS, and ductility exhibited by nanoAl2O3 reinforced magnesium remained much superior even when compared to magnesium reinforced with a much higher volume percentage of micrometre size SiCp. An attempt is made in the present study to correlate the effect of nanoAl2O3 as reinforcement and its increasing amount with the microstructural, physical, and mechanical properties of magnesium. MST/6233 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]