Effect of Pre-Oxidation Treatment of Nano-SiC Particulates on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of SiC/Mg-8Al-1Sn Composites Fabricated by Powder Metallurgy Combined with Hot Extrusion

Nano-SiC particulates (n-SiC(p)) reinforced Mg-8Al-1Sn (AT81) composites with different pre-oxidation parameters were fabricated by powder metallurgy (P/M) process combined with hot extrusion. The effects of pre-oxidization treatment of n-SiC(p) on the microstructure and tensile properties of 0.5 vol % n-SiC(p)/AT81 composites were investigated accordingly. The distribution of n-SiC(p) with different pre-oxidation parameters was homogeneous in the composites. Moreover, it was found that a thin MgAl(2)O(4) layer formed at the interface when the n-SiC(p) were pre-oxidized at 1073 K for 2 h, while the MgAl(2)O(4) layer became much thicker with pre-oxidization temperature increasing to 1273 K for 2 h. After an appropriate pre-oxidization treatment of n-SiC(p) at 1073 K for 2 h, the as-extruded 0.5 vol % n-SiC(p)/AT81 composites exhibited an enhanced strength. It was found that the yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increased from 168 MPa and 311 MPa to 255 MPa and 393 MPa compared with the as-extruded AT81 alloy, reflecting 51.8% and 26.4% increments, respectively. The improvement of mechanical properties should be mainly attributed to the grain refinement and homogeneous distribution of n-SiC(p) in the composites. Moreover, a well-bonded interface and the formation of an appropriate amount of interfacial product (MgAl(2)O(4)) benefited the material’s mechanical properties.