Tensile and compression behaviour, microstructural characterization on Mg-3Zn-3Sn-0.7Mn alloy reinforced with SiCp prepared through powder metallurgy method

Abstract In this research paper, Mg-3Zn-3Sn-0.7Mn/SiC composite is developed by reinforcing various weight fractions of SiCp in Mg-3Zn-3Sn-0.7Mn alloy through powder metallurgy route. The weight fraction of SiCpusage is varied from 3% to 15% in Mg-3Zn-3Sn-0.7Mn alloy (i.e., in Mg-3Zn-3Sn-0.7Mn/xSiC; the sample values are varies for x is 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15%). The effect of SiCp addition got tested against its tensile strength, compression behavior, hardness, microstructure, alloying nature and porosity. This study shows better grain refinement with improved properties while reinforcing Mg-3Zn-3Sn-0.7Mn alloy with 6 wt% SiC composites. It was observed that the grain refinement occurred while adding up to 6 wt% of SiC particles in the composite and thereafter increase in SiC caused little grain refinement effect. Hardness is getting increased with the increase of SiC weight fraction and reached maximum to 133 HV at 12SiC/ Mg-3Zn-3Sn-0.7Mn. Higher UTS of 293 MPa obtained from the sample prepared with 12%SiC for 0.0533 s−1 strain rate. The highest UCS of 341 MPa is obtained from the sample made with 15%SiC inclusion for 0.0.0533 s−1strain rate. From the SEM fracture analysis, the Mg-3Zn-3Sn-0.7Mn alloy and Mg-3Zn-3Sn-0.7Mn/SiC composite exhibit the almost same type of fracture called quasi-cleavage regardless of the % addition of SiC reinforcement. It was observed that the increase of SiC weight fraction increases the UCS because of its increased load-bearing capacity and reduction in cleavage facets.