Differentiating the mechanical response of hierarchical magnesium nano-composites as a function of temperature

Abstract

The effect of temperature change on quasi-static mechanical response of monolithic Mg alongside hierarchical Mg/Al-Al 2O 3 nano-composites synthesized through powder metallurgy route followed by microwave assisted rapid sintering technique and hot extrusion in 25-200°C temperature range is investigated here. It was observed that in the case of both monolithic Mg and hierarchical Mg/Al-Al 2O 3 nano-composites, due to temperature increase, strength compromised while failure strain tremendously increased. The asymmetry in tension and compression also tends to vanish as temperature increases. These observed variations in strength and ductility were ascribed to the activity of non-basal slip systems and dynamic recovery at high temperature. It was also observed that presence of composite Al-Al 2O 3 particles (level-I particles) significantly assisted in improving mechanical response of Mg either at ambient or elevated temperature. Considering the crystallographic texture, the different mechanical response of Mg due to presence of level-I particles as a function of temperature is differentiated here. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.