Tensile behaviour and microstructure of magnesium AM60-based hybrid composite containing Al2O3 fibres and particles

Magnesium AM60 based metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with alumina (Al2O3) fibre and/or particles were successfully fabricated by a perform-squeeze casting technique under an applied pressure of 90 MPa. Tensile properties of unreinforced AM60 alloy, Al2O3 fibre/AM60 alloy metal matrix composite, and hybrid composite containing both Al2O3 fibres and particles were evaluated at the ambient temperature. The addition of fibres and particles significantly improved the tensile properties, but with a reduction in ductility in comparison to the unreinforced matrix alloy. The observation of SEM fractographs indicates that the fracture mode of the composites is the evolution of localized damages, such as particles and fibres damage and cracking, matrix fracture, and interface debonding, which are consistent with the tensile results.