Mg-ZrO2 nanocomposite: Relative effect of reinforcement incorporation technique

Abstract

In this study, ingot metallurgy and powder metallurgy processes were used to incorporate 0.2 and 0.7 vol% of nano-size ZrO2 particles reinforcement to develop magnesium nanocomposite. Both of the processing methods led to reasonably fair reinforcement distribution, substantial grain refinement and minimum porosity in the nanocomposites. Strengthening effect of nano-ZrO2 reinforcement in the magnesium matrix was greater when incorporated using the ingot metallurgy process. The matrix ductility and resistance to fracture were significantly improved due to the presence of nano-ZrO2 reinforcement when incorporated using the powder metallurgy process. Tensile fracture surfaces revealed that the less-ductile cleavage fracture mechanism of hexagonal close packed magnesium matrix has changed to more ductile mode due to the presence of nano-ZrO2 particles in all the processed nanocomposites.