The influence of beryllium addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-15%Mg2Si in-situ metal matrix composite

► Primary Mg2Si particles refined by Be additions. ► Be changed the shape of particles from an irregular shape to the faceted polygonal. ► Pseudo-eutectic Mg2Si has mainly a fine fibrous structure in all specimens. ► In specimens with Be, βAl-Mg-Be phase based on a β-Al3Mg2 phase was observed. ► Be improved UTS and elongation values of the composite extremely.