In situ infiltration Synthesis and Characterization of magnesium metal matrix composite

Abstract

Magnesium metal matrix composites (Mg MMC's) developed by different fabrication techniques in last decade have shown high specific strength, stiffness and creep resistance coupled with improvement in wear behavior. Self-infiltration method had been selected among the different techniques in this work to fabricate Mg MMC. AZ91 Mg alloy was used as matrix while B4C and Ti as reinforcements which reacted in situ to form TiC and TiB2. Microstructural investigation and phase analysis were done along with mechanical and wear studies of the developed composite. Microstructural studies showed fairly uniform distribution of TiC and TiB2 reinforcing phase in AZ91 alloy matrix. Some unreacted B4C was also observed. The density and porosity level of developed composite is moderate. Hardness tests done at different cross sections showed large improvement due to addition of hard reinforcements. The wear behavior of AZ91 alloy/TiC, TiB2 composite was investigated through dry sliding test on ball on disc wear test at 5, 10, 15 N loads on both top and bottom surfaces. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.