Synthesis and compressive deformation of rapidly solidified magnesium alloy and composites reinforced by SiCp

In this paper, rapidly solidified magnesium–aluminum (AZ91HP) alloy and magnesium alloy matrix composites reinforced by SiCp were prepared successfully by the method of rapid solidification. Microstructure of rapidly solidified AZ91HP alloy was greatly refined through the process of rapid solidification compared with as-cast AZ91HP alloy. With increasing SiC content, 0.2% YS and ultimate compressive strength of composites had been improved significantly compared with the unreinforced counterparts, accompanied by a reduction of total strain. In quasi-static compressive tests, failure in form of decohesion at the particulate–matrix interface was observed numerously as a dominant failure mode of composites. Failure of the large-sized SiCp and particulate clusters occurred widely because of the higher strain-rate and the greater load transfer from the ductile matrix to the brittle particulates in dynamic deformation.