Magnesium Matrix Composites with Nano-Sized Reinforcements

Aluminum (Al) and magnesium (Mg) matrix composites are attractive materials for automotive, aerospace, and energy applications due to their low density, high specific strength, and favorable wear performance. However, despite extensive experimental efforts, predicting their mechanical, tribological, and corrosion behaviors remains challenging because of the complex and nonlinear interactions among composition, processing parameters, and reinforcement characteristics. To address this need, this review provides a structured synthesis of recent machine learning (ML) applications to Al and Mg matrix composites, focusing on studies published between 2021 and 2025. A systematic multidatabase search was conducted, and the selected works were examined within a unified ML pipeline encompassing data acquisition, preprocessing practices, feature handling, learning strategies, training protocols, and performance evaluation. The analysis reveals trends in dataset size, target properties, descriptor types, and modeling choices. It also highlights recurring challenges related to data scarcity, heterogeneous reporting of preprocessing and evaluation practices, and uneven coverage of different property classes. Informed by these findings, the review provides practical recommendations for data curation, preprocessing, model selection, and training to facilitate more reliable ML-based prediction and data driven guidance for improving the properties of Al and Mg matrix composites.

Thermodynamic prediction of alloying element distribution in magnesium matrix composites

Exploring high strength materials with a higher concentration of reinforcements in the alloy proves to be a challenging task. This research has explored magnesium-based composites (AZ31B alloy) with tungsten carbide reinforcements, enhancing strength for medical joint replacements via league championship optimisation. The primary objective is to enhance medical joint replacement biomaterials employing magnesium-based composites, emphasising the AZ31B alloy with tungsten carbide reinforcements. The stir casting method is utilised in the manufacture of magnesium matrix composites (MMCs), including varied percentages of tungsten carbide (WC). The mechanical characteristics, such as micro-hardness, tensile strength, and yield strength, have been assessed and compared with computational simulations. The wear studies have been carried out to analyse the tribological behaviour of the composites. Additionally, this study investigates the prediction of stress and the distribution of forces inside bone and joint structures, therefore offering significant contributions to the field of biomedical research. This research contemplates the use of magnesium-based MMCs for the discovery of biomaterials suitable for medical joint replacement. The study focuses on the magnesium alloy AZ31B, with particles ranging in size from 40 to 60 microns used as the matrix material. Moreover, the outcomes have revealed that when combined with MMCs based on AZ31B-magnesium matrix, the WC particle emerges as highly effective reinforcements for the fabrication of lightweight, high-strength biomedical composites. This study uses the league championship optimisation (LCO) approach to identify critical variables impacting the synthesis of Mg MMCs from an AZ31B-based magnesium alloy. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images are meticulously analysed to depict the dispersion of WC particulates and the interface among the magnesium (Mg) matrix and WC reinforcement. The SEM analysis has explored the mechanisms underlying particle pull-out, the characteristics of inter-particle zones, and the influence of the AZ31B matrix on the enhancement of the mechanical characteristics of the composites. The application of finite element analysis (FEA) is being used in order to make predictions regarding the distribution of stress and the interactions of forces within the model of the hip joint. This study has compared the physico-mechanical and tribological characteristics of WC to distinct combinations of 0%, 5%, 10% and 15%, and its impact on the performance improvements. SEM analysis has confirmed the findings' improved strength and hardness, particularly when 10%-15% of WC was incorporated. Following the incorporation of 10% of WC particles within Mg-alloy matrix, the outcomes of the study has exhibited enhanced strength and hardness, which furthermore has been evident by utilising SEM analysis. Using ANSYS, structural deformation and stress levels are predicted, along with strength characteristics such as additional hardness of 71 HRC, tensile strength of 140-150 MPa, and yield strength closer to 100-110 MPa. The simulations yield significant insights into the behaviour of the joint under various loading conditions, thus enhancing the study's significance in biomedical environments.

Mechanical Properties of C f/Mg Composites Fabricated by Pressure Infiltration Method

Using a new sustainable carbon reinforcement in magnesium matrix composites

In this paper, the microstructure and mechanical properties of two magnesium matrix composites—a hypoeutectic with 1.9 wt% Mg2Si phase and a hypereutectic with 19 wt% Mg2Si compound—were analyzed. The investigated materials were prepared using the gravity casting method. Microstructure analyses of the fabricated composites were carried out by XRD and light microscopy. The tensile and compression strength as well as yield strength of the composites were examined in both uniaxial tensile and compression tests. The microstructure of the hypoeutectic composite was in agreement with the phase diagram and composed of primary Mg dendrites and an Mg–Mg2Si eutectic mixture. For the hypereutectic composite, besides the primary Mg2Si phase and eutectic mixture, additional magnesium dendrites surrounding the Mg2Si compound were observed due to nonequilibrium solidification conditions. The composites exhibited a rise in the examined mechanical properties with an increase in the Mg2Si weight fraction and also a higher tensile and compression strength in comparison to the pure magnesium matrix (cast in the same conditions). Additionally, analyses of fracture surfaces of the composites carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM + EDX) are presented.

Previous results reported that SiCp (Silicon Carbide particles) particle doping proved to be effective in enhancing the wear performance of WE43 magnesium alloy. In this work, finite element simulation was employed to investigate the effect of SiCp particle shape on the mechanical behaviors of SiCp/WE43 magnesium matrix composites. SiCp particles underwent larger load internally and a smaller plastic deformation under tensile loading, leading to the enhanced strength and stiffness of the composites. Polygonal SiCp particles provided a better enhancement in strength for the composites than round SiCp particles, but the enhancement in stiffness was opposite. Meanwhile, the damage is likely to initiate at the interface between the matrix and particle, at the location of the highest stress concentration. This phenomenon was more prominent in polygonal particle-reinforced composites. These current findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the effect of SiCp particle shape on the mechanical behaviors of magnesium matrix composites.

Magnesium matrix composite is one of the advanced lightweight materials with high potential to be used in automotive and aircraft industries due to its low density and high specific mechanical properties. The magnesium composites can be fabricated by adding the reinforcements of fibers or/and particles. In the previous literature, extensive studies have been performed on the development of matrix grain structure of aluminum-based metal matrix composites. However, there is limited information available on the development of grain structure during the solidification of particulate-reinforced magnesium. In this work, a 5 vol.% SiCp particulate-reinforced magnesium (AM50A) matrix composite (AM50A/SiCp) was prepared by stir casting. The solidification behavior of the cast AM50A/SiCp composite was investigated by computer-based thermal analysis. Optical and scanning electron microscopies (SEM) were employed to examine the occurrence of nucleation and grain refinement involved. The results indicate that the addition of SiCp particulates leads to a finer grain structure in the composite compared with the matrix alloy. The refinement of grain structure should be attributed to both the heterogeneous nucleation and the restricted primary crystal growth.

The aim of the present research is on the automobile application of magnesium matrix composites. To this purpose, optimal mechanical properties of MMCs are studied through the conduction of an experimental investigation. In this research, eight samples are to be considered based on the use of various reinforcement material types and their percentage. Magnesium matrix composite samples are to be manufactured by the use of the stir casting process. The following mechanical properties are to be calculated for every sample: tensile strength, flexural strength, impact resistance and hardness. The experimental results show that the 6 th sample, which is a magnesium matrix reinforced with graphite material at the rate of 10%., was among those with the highest mechanical properties in terms of tensile strength , which was 135 MPa, flexural strength, which amounted to 120 MPa, impact resistance, which reached 7.0 J, and hardness, which was 97 HV. Therefore, one can make a conclusion that it is important to optimize the reinforcement material and its percentage when considering the possibility to improve the mechanical performance of MMCs. That said, the given research offers insights into the potential of MMCs as lightweight materials with high performance in vehicle construction.

Magnesium matrix composites are attractive for weight critical application, such as automotive and aerospace components, because of its high specific strength and stiffness. Extrusion process directly following vacuum infiltration (EVI) can eliminate the porosity and obtain the well-aligned and uniform fiber distribution during the fabrication of Csf/AZ91D composite. This process combines the advantages of gas pressure infiltration, squeeze casting, and semi-solid extrusion. The mechanical properties of the magnesium are improved greatly by introducing the carbon fibers into the magnesium matrix through the EVI process. In the present study, the carbon short fiber reinforced magnesium matrix composites Csf/AZ91D were fabricated by EVI process. The microstructure and tensile property of Csf/AZ91D composites were investigated. The results showed that the microstructure of the composite presented a uniform distribution of carbon short fibers in the matrix and good interfacial integrity. The yield strength and stiffness of the composites increased with increasing carbon short fiber content, but at the cost of ductility. Nonetheless, Csf/AZ91D can keep relatively high ductility during the improvement of strength compared with reported composites in the literatures. Increasing carbon fiber content in the composite was not always beneficial to the ultimate tensile strength at the same magnitude. When the fiber content exceeds 10%, the matrix was not strengthened as greatly as under 10% fiber content. The yield strength improvement was attributed to (i) load-bearing effects due to the presence of carbon short fiber reinforcements; (ii) grain size refinement due to the large extrusion deformation; (iii) generation of dislocations to accommodate CTE mismatch between the matrix and the particles.

Visible UCNPs-magnesium matrix composites for optimizing degradation and improving bone regeneration.

Development of titanium particulate reinforced AZ31 magnesium matrix composites via friction stir processing

Magnesium matrix composites are considered a desired solution for lightweight applications. As an attractive thermal management material, diamond particle-reinforced Mg matrix (Mg/diamond) composites generally exhibit thermal conductivities lower than expected. To exploit the potential of heat conduction, a combination of Cr coating on diamond particles and squeeze casting was used to prepare Mg/diamond (Cr) composites. The thickness of the Cr coating under different coating processes (950 °C/30 min, 950 °C/60 min, 950 °C/90 min, 1000 °C/30 min, and 1050 °C/30 min) was measured by FIB-SEM to be 1.09–2.95 μm. The thermal conductivity (TC) of the Mg/diamond composites firstly increased and then decreased, while the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of Mg/diamond (Cr) composite firstly decreased and then increased with the increase in Cr coating thickness. The composite exhibited the maximum TC of 202.42 W/(m·K) with a 1.20 μm Cr coating layer, while a minimum CTE of 5.82 × 10−6/K was recorded with a coating thickness of 2.50 μm. The results clearly manifest the effect of Cr layer thickness on the TC and CTE of Mg/diamond composites.

Magnesium matrix composites are being used in more and more different ways, so they need to have good surface properties like resistance to wear and corrosion. In this work, we used friction stir processing to make ZE43 magnesium surface composites with different amounts of Si3N4 particles (by volumes 6.0%, 12.0%, and 18.0%, respectively). X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope analysis showed Si3N4 particles in the developed magnesium surface composite are all uniformly distributed. After FSP, the composites were tested for hardness. Using Potentio dynamic polarization, the corrosion behavior of both the base matrix material and composites made were studied. The composite containing 18% Si3N4 has the highest corrosion resistance .The composite’s sliding wear behavior and coefficient of friction analyzed by a pin-on-disc tribometer by changing the amount of Si3N4 in the material, load and sliding distance. To attain the highest possible wear resistance and coefficient of friction, parameters of the process were optimized with the help of taguchi grey relational analysis. The results show that load, followed by volumetric percentage, and sliding distance have a substantial effect on wear rate and friction coefficient.

ABSTRACTThe microstructure of magnesium matrix composite (MMC) was investigated by transmission electron microscopy, and fracture behaviour of composite by step-by-step tensile in the strain range of 0.8–2.0% has been determined using the dislocation and microcrack analysis. The results indicated that the interface between matrix and double-sized SiC particle (SiCp) showed a good combination. With increasing the strain from 0 to 2.0%, the dislocation density was gradually increased, especially in the interface of SiCp/matrix. Some microcracks can be found in the interface between micrometre-SiCp and matrix while no microcracks were observed around nano-SiCp.