Microstructure and mechanical properties of elemental and reinforced magnesium synthesized using a fluxless liquid-phase process

In the present study, elemental (unreinforced) and silicon-carbide-reinforced magnesium materials were synthesized using a new fluxless casting method followed by hot extrusion. Microstructural characterization studies revealed the presence of minimal porosity and completely recrystallized matrix in both materials. In the case of the reinforced magnesium, a fairly uniform distribution of SiC particulates and good SiC–Mg interfacial integrity was realized. Results of mechanical properties characterization revealed that the presence of SiC particulates led to an increase in macrohardness, elastic modulus, and 0.2% yield strength while the ultimate tensile strength and ductility deteriorated. An attempt is made to correlate the results of the microstructural characterization and mechanical testing with the nature of the processing technique employed to synthesize the magnesium-based materials.