Effect of temperature on the dynamic compressive properties of magnesium alloy and its nanocomposite

Abstract

Magnesium alloys are very attractive in applications such as automotive, railway and aerospace industries due to their low density in comparison with aluminum and steel alloys. Magnesium–based composites exhibit high specific properties compared to unreinforced magnesium alloys and they are found to be promising for mechanical applications under impact and high temperature conditions beyond those possible with magnesium alloys. In the present study, the effect of temperature variation has been investigated for both magnesium alloy AZ31B and the same alloy reinforced with silicon carbide nano-particles at high strain rates. The temperature is varied in the range from -30°C to 200°C at a high strain rate of 3300 s-1. Lower stresses and larger strains to peak compressive stresses are observed with increasing temperature. An analytic comparison between AZ31B alloy and AZ31B nanocomposite was also examined and results reveal that AZ31B nanocomposite displays superior strength properties with slightly weaker ductility than AZ31B alloy at all three temperature variations. The result of this is an improved energy absorption capability possessed by AZ31B nanocomposite.