Fabrication, microstructure and mechanical properties of novel titanium and nickel micro-particulates reinforced AZ91D magnesium alloy metal matrix hybrid composites

In the present study, AZ91D magnesium alloy has been successfully produced for the first time by reinforcing with a combination of Ti and Ni microparticles. The manufacture of hybrid composites reinforced with elemental powders at the volumetric proportions of 0-25 % was conducted using the powder metallurgy technique. As a result of optimized fabrication parameters, in all the specimens were nearly obtained full density and a pore-free microstructure. During the morphological examinations were detected alpha-Mg, beta-Mg17Al12, Ti and Ni phases, apart from these, no unwanted secondary phases such as oxide, carbide and nitride were founded. A clean interface formation was observed between the matrix and reinforcement phases in which no chemical reaction occurs. The combined use as reinforcement material of Ti and Ni elements for the first time resulted in approximate ratios of 29 %, 80 % and 30 % significant enhancement in the yield strength, compressive strength and ductility values of the matrix alloy, respectively. Hybrid specimens were determined to have better mechanical properties than those of the unreinforcement matrix alloy at all test temperatures. Produced hybrid composites have been established to be enough to easily meet the temperatures and stresses that automobile components are exposed to under service conditions. In addition, their low-density values of 2.048-3.011 g/cm3 show to compose a significant alternative to conventional materials like iron, steel and even aluminum which are often used in the generation of automobile parts.