Enhanced mechanical response of hybrid alloy AZ31/AZ91 based on the addition of Si3N4 nanoparticles

The main aim of this study was to simultaneously increase tensile strength and ductility of AZ31/AZ91 hybrid magnesium alloy with Si3N4 nanoparticles. AZ31/AZ91 hybrid alloy nanocomposite containing Si3N4 nanoparticle reinforcement was fabricated using solidification processing followed by hot extrusion. The nanocomposite exhibited similar grain size to the monolithic hybrid alloy, reasonable Si3N4 nanoparticle distribution, non-dominant (0 0 0 2) texture in the longitudinal direction, and 13% higher hardness than the monolithic hybrid alloy. Compared to the monolithic hybrid alloy (in tension), the nanocomposite simultaneously exhibited higher yield strength, ultimate strength, failure strain and work of fracture (+12%, +5%, +64% and +71%, respectively). Compared to the monolithic hybrid alloy (in compression), the nanocomposite exhibited higher yield strength and ultimate strength, lower failure strain and higher work of fracture (+35%, +4%, −6% and +6%, respectively). The beneficial effects of Si3N4 nanoparticle addition on the enhancement of tensile and compressive properties of AZ31/AZ91 hybrid alloy are investigated in this paper.