Simultaneously improving strength and ductility of magnesium using nano-size SiC particulates and microwaves

A study was conducted to synthesize Mg/SiC formulations using microwave sintering and examine its microstructure and properties, with emphasis on the effect of presence of SiC particles in nanolength scale. Results of density and porosity measurements revealed that near dense monolithic and composite materials can be obtained using the microwave assisted fabrication methodology. Microstructure characterization conducted on microwaves sintered and extruded composite samples revealed a continuous network of nano-sized SiC particulates decorating the particle boundaries of the matrix. The results of CTE measurements obtained from microwave sintered and extruded monolithic and Mg/SiC composite samples revealed a marginal reduction in the average CTE of magnesium with addition of SiC nanoparticles as reinforcement irrespective of the sintering step. The observed reduction in CTE values is due to the presence of nano-size SiC reinforcement which has a lower CTE value.