Magnesium Matrix Composites for Elevated Temperature Applications

Recently, there have been substantial activities focusing on the development of magnesium alloys for high temperature applications (>150°C) through alloying additions, in order to expand its use. However, a simple route of improving the elevated temperature property of a magnesium alloy through the composite route has been overlooked. In particularly, the possibility of reinforcing a magnesium component through selective reinforcement has not been widely explored. In this paper, a viable technique of fabricating magnesium matrix composites through squeeze casting is provided. In addition, the novel approach of making preforms and the manner which they can be selectively reinforced into magnesium components is introduced. Finally, results on some of the key properties of magnesium composites developed by this technique along with the characterization results are presented.