Effect of heat treatment on the mechanical and microstructural characterization of Mg-AZ91E/TiC composites. Issue 6 (24th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reyes, A.; Bedolla, E.; Perez, R.; Contreras, A.
• Is Part Of: Composite interfaces. Volume 24:Issue 6(2017)
• Page Start: 593
• Page End: 609
• Publication Date: 2017-07-24
• Subjects: Infiltration -- sintering -- composite -- heat treatment -- microstructure; Composite materials -- Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1080/09276440.2017.1248201
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0927-6440

Abstract

Abstract: Mg-AZ91E/TiCp composite was fabricated using a spontaneous infiltration technique at 950 °C under an argon atmosphere. The composites produced have 37 vol.% of metal matrix and 63 vol.% of TiC-like reinforcement. The obtained composites were subsequently solution heat-treated at 413 °C during 24 h, cold water quenched, and subsequently artificially aged at 168 and 216 °C during 16 h in an argon atmosphere. Effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties was evaluated. Microstructural characterization was analyzed using different techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Interface between matrix and reinforcement was examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and mechanical properties were evaluated by measuring the elastic modulus and hardness. Mg, TiC, Al, and Mg17 Al12 phases through XRD were detected. Meanwhile, using TEM analysis in heat-treated composites MgAl2 O4, MgO, and Al2 O3 were identified. The as-fabricated composite have elastic modulus and hardness of 162 GPa and 316 Hv, respectively. After solution heat treatment and aging at 168 °C during 12 h, the composites reaches values of 178 GPa and 362 Hv for the elastic modulus and hardness, respectively. Time of aging was correlated with measures of elastic modulus and hardness.