Compressive deformation behavior of Mg and Mg/(Y2O3 + Ni) nanocomposites

Uniaxial compressive properties of Mg and Mg/(Y2O3 + Ni) hybrid nanocomposite are studied in the present paper. A remarkable improvement in both 0.2% CYS and UCS is exhibited by hybrid nanocomposites when compared to pure Mg. Subsequently, plastic deformation due to twinning activity and basal plane orientation detected by X-ray diffraction at different strain levels are investigated. Both Mg and hybrid composites yield by twinning deformation and extensive twinning supports reorientation of basal (0 0 02) planes after yielding. Upon twin saturation, basal planes get orientated perpendicular to the compression axis in composite sample, causing a steep increment in work hardening with limited failure strain. However, in the case of pure Mg, complete basal reorientation did not take place. As a result, continuous twin deformation provided gradual work hardening leading to appreciable failure strain in the case of Mg when compared to its reinforced counterparts. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.