Eugene Wong

Abstract:

Magnesium is the lightest structural metal with a density that is two-thirds of aluminium, and possesses great potential for weight critical engineering and biomedical applications [1-3]. The addition of micron-size reinforcements is one method to improve the mechanical properties, but often results in further deterioration of the limited ductility of magnesium. In recent years, an improvement in both strength and ductility of magnesium can be achieved with the addition of nano-size reinforcements [4]. In this paper, the synthesis of magnesium nanocomposites via two innovative methods—disintegrated melt deposition and hybrid microwave sintering— will be highlighted. Both of these techniques are able to produce nanocomposites with improved properties. Hybrid microwave processing can also reduce production time and energy by up to 80% [5]. The effects of the addition of ceramic, metallic and hybrid reinforcements will be discussed to illustrate the improvement in mechanical properties such as tensile, compressive, dynamic, fatigue, corrosion, and wear properties.