Mechanical behavior of magnesium-steel particles composites with interpenetrating phases

In this study, steel particles were used to reinforce the magnesium matrix. To fabricate the magnesium-steel particle composite,  steel particle preforms were made in different sizes; some were sintered at 1000 - 1200 ℃ and some without sintering. These preforms were preheated at 750 °C and then infiltrated with melted magnesium with the squeeze casting method. The microstructure of the preforms and the composites were investigated by SEM and optical microscope. Microhardness and compression tests were performed to investigate the mechanical behavior of the composites. The microstructure study showed the rigid connectivity between the steel particles in the interpenetrating phase composites. Also, hardness and compression test results showed higher hardness (61 VHN) and strength (218 MPa) for the composites with 1mm steel particle size sintered at 1200 ℃. Hence, the composites with 3D-dimensionally interconnected steel particles show significant changes in their mechanical properties.