Development of Mg/Cu nanocomposites using microwave assisted rapid sintering

In the present study, magnesium composites containing different amounts of nano-size Cu particulates were successfully synthesized using powder metallurgy (PM) technique incorporating microwave assisted two-directional sintering. The sintered specimens were hot extruded and characterized in terms of physical, microstructural and mechanical properties. Microstructural characterization revealed minimal porosity and the presence of a continuous network of nano-size Cu particulates and Mg2Cu intermetallic phase decorating the particle boundaries of the metal matrix. Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) value of magnesium matrix was improved marginally with the addition of nano-size Cu particulates. Mechanical characterization revealed that the addition of nano-size Cu particulates lead to an increase in hardness, elastic modulus, 0.2% yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and work of fracture of the matrix. An attempt is made in the present study to correlate the effect of increasing amount of nano-size Cu reinforcement on the microstructure and properties of monolithic magnesium. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.