Characterization of High Performance Mg/MgO Nanocomposites

Abstract

Mg reinforced with up to 1 vol% of nanosize MgO was synthesized using the disintegrated melt deposition technique followed by hot extrusion. The influence of nano-size MgO particles on the physical and mechanical properties of Mg was investigated. There was an improvement in thermal stability, macrohardness, yield and tensile strengths, and modulus of the nanocomposites relative to pure Mg. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed good interfacial adhesion between Mg and MgO. A comparison was made between the experimental yield strengths of the nanocomposites and the predicted yield strengths determined by load bearing effect, coefficients of thermal expansion mismatch, and Orowan strengthening models.