Enhancing strength and hardness of AZ31B through simultaneous addition of nickel and nano-Al2O3 particulates

▶ Addition of Ni particulates leads to formation of Mg2Ni secondary phase in matrix. Reasonably uniform distribution of secondary phases in the AZ31B matrix is obtained. ▶ The presence of nickel and Al2O3 nano-particulates in AZ31B samples leads to a significant improvement in hardness, 0.2%YS and UTS without any compromise of failure strain of AZ31B up to 1.5vol% of Ni. ▶ Fracture behavior of AZ31B-1.5Al2O3-1.5Ni samples shows evidence of mixed-mode fracture with limited presence of microcracks and limited evidence of plastic deformation while AZ31B-1.5Al2O3-3.19Ni samples exhibited significant presence of microcracks and the breakage of Ni particulates.