Neutron Diffraction Study and Deformation Behavior of a Composite Based Mg Alloy Reinforced by Short Saffil Fibers

In the present work neutron diffraction has been applied for ex situ investigation of residual stresses in Mg-4%Al-1% Ca (AX41) magnesium alloy reinforced with short Saffil fibers. Samples were deformed in compression at room temperature. Two types of fiber arrangement were investigated. In both samples the fibers were homogeneously distributed and arranged in parallel planes with a random fiber orientation. In the first sample these planes were parallel with the loading axis and in the second one they were perpendicular to the loading direction. Significant dependence of both the mechanical properties and residual strains on the fibers orientation was observed. Sample with parallel fiber arrangement showed higher hardness and lower ductility. Further the increment of residual tensile lattice strain in the matrix with a macroscopic deformation is much higher than in the other case. It was found that the residual strain evolution strongly depends on the orientation of grains in the matrix.