Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Microstructure and Tensile Properties of Mg (AM60)/Al2O3 Metal Matrix Composites with Varying Volume Fractions of Fiber Reinforcement

  • Published:
Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Magnesium alloy AM60 matrix-based composite reinforced with 7, 9, 11, 22, and 35 vol.% of Al2O3 fibers was squeeze cast. The microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated in comparison with the matrix alloy AM60. The results of tensile testing indicated that the addition of Al2O3 fibers to magnesium alloy AM60 led to a significant improvement in mechanical properties. As the fiber volume fraction increased, the strengths and moduli of the composites were enhanced considerably. However, the notable increase in strengths was at sacrifice in elongation. Microstructural analyses via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the grain size decreased with increasing volume fractions of reinforcement. The restriction of grain growth by the limited inter-fiber spacing could be the primary mechanism for a reduction in the grain size of the matrix alloy. The SEM fractography evidently reveals that the debonding of fibers from the matrix alloy and the fiber cracking were two primary mechanisms for the tensile failure of the composites.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. M. Gupta and W.L.E. Wong, Magnesium-Based Nanocomposites: Lightweight Materials of the Future, Mater. Charact., 2015, 105, p 30–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. H.Z. Ye and X.Y. Liu, Review of Recent Studies in Magnesium Matrix Composites, J. Mater. Sci., 2004, 39, p 6135–6171

    Google Scholar 

  3. Z. Trojanová1, Z. Száraz, P. Palček, M. Chalupová, Magnesium Alloys Based Composites. Magnesium alloys-Design, Processing and Properties. F. Czerwinski (ed.), INTECH (2011), p 501-526.

  4. H. Hu, Squeeze Casting of Magnesium Alloys and Their Composites, J. Mater. Sci., 1998, 33, p 1579–1589

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Y. Kagawa and E. Nakata, Some Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Magnesium-Matrix Composite Fabricated by Squeeze Casting, J. Mater. Sci. Lett., 1992, 11, p 176–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. K. Purazrang, K.U. Kainer, and B.L. Mordike, Fracture Toughness Behaviour of a Magnesium Alloy Metal-Matrix Composite Produces by the Infiltration Technique, Composites, 1991, 22(6), p 456–462

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Z. Drozd, Z. Trojanova, M. Pahutova, H. Ferkel, W. Riehemann, Mechanical Properties of Mg and Mg Based Alloy Composites, Advanced Light Alloys and Composites, Proceeding of the NATO Advanced Study Inst., Zakopane, Poland, 1991, p 5-15.

  8. K. Asano and H. Yoneda, High Temperature Properties of AZ91D Magnesium Alloy Composite Reinforced with SHORT ALUMINA FIBRE and Mg2Si Particle, Mater. Trans.-JIM, 2008, 49(7), p 1688–1693

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. D.J. Towle and C.M. Friend, Effect of Reinforcement Architecture on Mechanical Properties of a Short Fibre/Magnesium RZ MMC Manufactured by Preform Infiltration, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 1994, 188, p 153–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. J.E. Hack, R.A. Page, and G.R. Leverant, Tensile and Fatigue Behavior of Aluminum Oxide Fibre Reinforced Magnesium Composites: Part I. Fibre Fraction and Orientation, Metall. Trans., 1984, 15A, p 1389–1396

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. A. Magata and I.W. Hall, Crack Propagation in α-Al2O3/Mg Metal Matrix Composites, J. Mater. Sci., 1989, 24, p 1959–1966

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. K.U. Kainer, Influence of the Production Technique and Type of Reinforcement on the Properties of Magnesium-Matrix Composite, Compos. Mater. Technol. ASME, 1991, 37, p 191–197

    Google Scholar 

  13. K.K. Jidosha, D. Tadashi, T. Atsuo, and A. Tugio, Internal combustion engine light metal connecting rod assembly reinforced with loops of fiber, and method for manufacturing the same, Patent: EP 0137261 A2, 1985.

  14. S.C. Tjong, Novel Nanoparticle-Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites with Enhanced Mechanical Properties, Adv. Eng. Mater., 2007, 9, p 639–652

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. S.F. Hassan and M. Gupta, Development of High Performance Magnesium Nanocomposites Using Solidification Processing Route, Mater. Sci. Technol., 2004, 20, p 1383–1388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. S.F. Hassan and M. Gupta, Development of Ductile Magnesium Composite Materials Using Titanium as Reinforcement, J. Alloys Compd., 2002, 345, p 246–251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. S.F. Hassan and M. Gupta, Development of a Novel Magnesium/Nickel Composite with Improved Mechanical Properties, J. Alloys Compd., 2002, 335, p L10–L15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. W.L.E. Wong and M. Gupta, Effect of Hybrid Length Scales (Micro + Nano) of SiC Reinforcement on the Properties of Magnesium, Solid State Phenom., 2006, 111, p 91–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. S.F. Hassan and M. Gupta, Effect of Particulate Size of Al2O3 Reinforcement on Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior of Solidification Processed Elemental Mg, J. Alloys Compd., 2006, 419, p 84–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. C. Godbole, The Influence of Reinforcement on Microstructure, Hardness, Tensile Deformation, Cyclic Fatigue and Final Fracture behavior of two Magnesium Alloys, Master Dissertation, The University of Akron, 2011.

  21. A. Banerji, H. Hu, and A.T. Alpas, Sliding Wear Mechanisms of Magnesium Composites AM60 Reinforced with Al2O3 Fibres Ultra-Mild Wear Conditions, Wear, 2013, 301, p 626–635

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. T.M. Yue, H.U. Ha, and N.J. Musson, Grain Size Effects on Mechanical Properties of Some Squeeze Cast Light Alloys, J. Mater. Sci., 1995, 30, p 2277–2283

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. D.J. Lloyd, Particle Reinforced Aluminium and Magnesium Matrix Composites, Int. Mater. Rev., 1994, 39(1), p 1–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. C. Garcia-Cordovillaa, E. Louisb, and J. Narcisoc, Pressure Infiltration of Packed Ceramic Particulates by Liquid Metals, Acta Mater., 1999, 47(18), p 4461–4479

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. H. Hu, Grain Microstructure Evolution of Mg (AM50A)/SiCp Metal Matrix Composites, ScriptaMaterialia, 1998, 39(8), p 1015–1022

    Google Scholar 

  26. Q. Zhang, H. Hu, and J. Lo, Solidification of Discontinuous Al2O3Fibre Reinforced Magnesium (AM60) Matrix Composite, Defect Diffus. Forum, 2011, 312–315, p 277–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. A. Mortensen and I. Jin, Solidification Processing of Metal Matrix Composites, Int. Mater. Rev., 1992, 37(3), p 101–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. J.H. Hollomon, Tensile Deformation, Trans. Am. Inst. Min. Metall. Eng., 1945, 162, p 268–275

    Google Scholar 

  29. H.X. Peng, Z. Fan, D.S. Mudher, and J.R.G. Evans, Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Engineered Short Fibre Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2002, 335, p 207–216

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical, Automotive & Material Engineering, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, N9B 3P4, Canada

    Xuezhi Zhang, Li Fang, Bojun Xiong & Henry Hu

Authors
  1. Xuezhi Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Li Fang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bojun Xiong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Henry Hu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xuezhi Zhang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhang, X., Fang, L., Xiong, B. et al. Microstructure and Tensile Properties of Mg (AM60)/Al2O3 Metal Matrix Composites with Varying Volume Fractions of Fiber Reinforcement. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 24, 4601–4611 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-015-1772-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-015-1772-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation