Synthesis and characterisation of magnesium matrix composite reinforced with titanium dioxide nanoparticulates

Abstract

Abstract In the present work, magnesium matrix composite reinforced with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticulates was synthesized using powder metallurgy (solid-state processing) technique followed by hybrid microwave heat treatment and hot extrusion. Commercially available magnesium particulates of average particle size 60–300 μm and titanium oxide nanoparticulates of average particle size ∼21 nm was used in this study. Extruded samples of pure magnesium and magnesium titanium dioxide (Mg-TiO2) nanocomposites were characterized for their physical, surface and internal microstructure (2D & 3D), elemental composition and mechanical behaviour. The experimental density and porosity of the composite specimens increases gradually with increase in addition of TiO2. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) composite samples revealed that the nano TiO2 particulates distributed uniformly throughout the matrix with no significant agglomeration. The same was confirmed through 3D internal microstructure also. The elemental composition, crystalline structure was measured using x-ray diffractograms (XRD) which confirm that no foreign elements exists. Further, the microhardness and nanoindentation of composite samples showed an increasing trend with increase in addition of TiO2 nanoparticles.