Hybridizing micro-Ti with nano-B4C particulates to improve the microstructural and mechanical characteristics of Mg–Ti composite

In this study, the effects of hybridizing micron-sized titanium particles with nano-sized boron carbide particles on the microstructural and mechanical properties of Mg–Ti composite were investigated. Microstructural characterization revealed grain refinement attributed to the presence of uniformly distributed micro-Ti particles embedded with nano-B4C particulates. Electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) analyses of the Mg–(Ti + B4C)BM hybrid composite showed relatively more localized recrystallized grains and lesser tensile twin fraction, when compared to Mg–Ti. The evaluation of mechanical properties indicated that the best combination of strength and ductility was observed in the Mg–(Ti + B4C)BM hybrid composite. The superior properties of the Mg–(Ti + B4C)BM hybrid composite when compared to Mg–Ti can be attributed to the presence of nano-reinforcement, the uniform distribution of the hybridized particles and the better interfacial bonding between the matrix and the reinforcement particles achieved by nano-B4C addition.