Manufacturing and characterisation of magnesium composites reinforced by nanoparticles: A review

Abstract

Magnesium metal matrix composites (Mg-MMC) are versatile materials notable for their utilisation in automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing sectors due to their superior mechanical properties and high specific strength. Nanoparticle reinforcements at varying concentrations are used to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of the Mg alloy. In this paper, the effects of varying nanoparticles (namely silicon carbide, carbon nanotubes, titanium nanoparticles, and tungsten carbide) on different Mg alloys are discussed along with relevant manufacturing processes. From the literatures, Mg-MMCs are fabricated from AZ91 alloy with silicon carbide nanoparticle reinforcement of 1 wt-% composition, manufactured using ultrasonic-assisted stirring, which showed the best relationship in overall material properties over other nanoparticle reinforcements.