Synthesis and Manufacturability of TiB2 Reinforced Magnesium RZ5 Alloy based In situ Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract

Composites have emerged as advanced materials with outstanding properties like high specific strength, high specific stiffness, and wear resistance. Nowadays, conventional materials are gradually getting replaced with composites for many industrial applications. Magnesium is the lightest matrix material which provides scope for lighter and stronger metal matrix composites. Composites synthesized by conventional ex-situ synthesis route possess certain drawbacks. Over the years, in-situ composite synthesis route has been developed to achieve thermally stable reinforcement with better wettability. The present research aims to develop the in-situ RZ5/TiB2 magnesium matrix composites and investigate their manufacturability for different applications. newlineA self-propagating high-temperature synthesis route is adopted in the present research work for the in-situ synthesis of RZ5/(4, 6, and 8) wt.% TiB2 magnesium alloy-based metal matrix composites. The RZ5 alloy and cast composites are solutionized to enhance the mechanical properties. A microstructural study of the composites is carried out using an optical microscope and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and revealed near-uniform distribution of TiB2 particles in the magnesium RZ5 alloy matrix. X-ray diffraction showed the formation of the TiB2 reinforcement along with the transient phase like TiB and MgB7. The TiB2 reinforcement enhanced the hardness, tensile strength, and impact strength of the composites. However, solutionized heat treatment minutely decreased the hardness and impact strength. The ultimate tensile strength and ductility of the composites are improved by solutionizing heat treatment.