Fabrication of Nano-SiC Particulate Reinforced Mg-8Al-1Sn Composites by Powder Metallurgy Combined with Hot Extrusion

Nano-SiC particulates (n-SiCp) reinforced Mg-8Al-1Sn (AT81) composites with different volume fractions (0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 vol.%) were fabricated by powder metallurgy process (P/M) combined with hot extrusion. The mechanical properties of the composite increased as the n-SiCp content increased until the n-SiCp content exceeded 0.5 vol.%, at which point they began to decrease. For this reason, the 0.5 vol.% n-SiCp/AT81 composite was considered optimal. The 0.2% offset yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation (epsilon) of 0.5 vol.% n-SiCp/AT81 composites increased from 175, 318 MPa and 4.5% to 239, 381 MPa and 8.3%, respectively, compared to AT81. Both, the strength and plasticity of the 0.5 vol.% n-SiCp/AT81 composites were improved as well. The improvement in mechanical properties can be attributed to the progressively refined matrix grain size, relatively uniform distribution of n-SiCP and the well-bonded interfaces between n-SiCp and the matrix.