Effect of reinforcements on strength of Mg9%Al composites

Magnesium-based composites reinforced respectively with four types of particulates at different volume fraction were synthesized through powder metallurgy rout. Mechanical properties show that incorporation of TiB2 particulates leads to a reduction in the yield stress of the composite while use of ZrB2 and SiC reinforcements enhances mechanical properties. TiC shows less effect on the yield stress of the composite. The strengths of the four composites increase with increasing volume fraction of particulates at initial stage while decrease at high volume fraction. The optimal volume fraction is about 8%.