Addition of CNTs to enhance tensile/compressive response of magnesium alloy ZK60A

ZK60A nanocomposite containing CNT nanoparticle reinforcement was fabricated using solidification processing followed by hot extrusion. The ZK60A nanocomposite exhibited smaller grain size than monolithic ZK60A, significantly reduced presence of intermetallic phase, reasonable CNT nanoparticle distribution, non-dominant (0 0 0 2) texture in the longitudinal direction, and 17% lower hardness than monolithic ZK60A. Compared to monolithic ZK60A (in tension), the ZK60A nanocomposite exhibited higher 0.2% TYS, UTS, failure strain and work of fracture (WOF) (+10%, +10%, +127% and +156%, respectively). Also, compared to monolithic ZK60A (in compression), the ZK60A nanocomposite exhibited lower 0.2% CYS (-14%) and higher UCS, failure strain and WOF (+5%, +69% and +58%, respectively). The effect of CNT nanoparticle integration on the enhanced tensile and compressive response of ZK60A is investigated in this paper. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.