Processing and Mechanical Properties of Ti(2)AlC MAX Phase Reinforced AE44 Magnesium Composite

AE44 alloys and nanolaminated Ti(2)AlC particle-reinforced AE44 magnesium composites were synthesized by stir casting techniques and textured by hot extrusion methods. It was found that lamellar Al(11)RE(3) precipitates spheroidized with the introduction of Ti(2)AlC into the AE44 matrix. Both transmission electron microscope and planar disregistries calculations reveal a good match for interfacial lattice transition between Mg (0001) and the basal plane (0001) of Ti(2)AlC. This suggests that Ti(2)AlC is an efficient potent nucleating substrate for Mg, thus fertilizing the formation of strong interfacial bonds. After hot extrusion treatment, Ti(2)AlC particles were reoriented in the textured magnesium matrix, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction. This texture effect on the composite’s mechanical properties was carefully studied by tensile and compressive tests.