Effect of particulate content on the thermal cycling behaviour of the magnesium alloy based hybrid composites

The thermal cycling behaviour of a creep-resistant AE42 alloy, AE42 alloy reinforced with 20 vol% saffil short fibre as well as various volume fractions of saffil short fibre and SiC particulate has been examined in the temperature range of 30-350 °C. It is found that the plastic deformation due to internal thermal mismatch stresses above 250 °C increases and coefficient of thermal expansion decreases with increasing volume fraction of SiC particulates. The only microstructural change observed after thermal cycling is an increased precipitation in the matrix.