Synthesis and compressive deformation of rapidly solidified magnesium alloy and composites reinforced by SiC_p

In this paper, rapidly solidified magnesium-aluminum (AZ91HP) alloy and magnesium alloy matrix composites reinforced by SiC_p were prepared successfully by the method of rapid solidification. Microstructure of rapidly solidified AZ91HP alloy was greatly refined through the process of rapid solidification compared with as-cast AZ91HP alloy. With increasing SiC content, 0.2% YS and ultimate compressive strength of composites had been improved significantly compared with the unreinforced counterparts, accompanied by a reduction of total strain. In quasi-static compressive tests, failure in form of decohesion at the particulate-matrix interface was observed numerously as a dominant failure mode of composites. Failure of the large-sized SiC_p and particulate clusters occurred widely because of the higher strain-rate and the greater load transfer from the ductile matrix to the brittle particulates in dynamic deformation.