This paper studies new magnesium metal matrix composites (Mg MMCs) reinforced with SiC particles by the stir-casting method for MMCs tubes hot extrusion. AZ61/SiCp MMCs' ingots reinforced with 0, 0.5 and 1 wt.% SiC particles are fabricated by the melt-stirring technique. AZ61/SiCp MMCs' tubes are manufactured by hot extrusion using a specially designed die-set. Obvious grain size refinement both by addition of particles and extrusion process are discovered. However, the grain refinement effect caused by extrusion process is much significant than that effect caused by SiC particle addition. The 0.2% yield strength (YS) of extruded tubes of AZ61 and AZ61/1 wt.% SiCp MMCs (without and with T5 treatment) are increased by 140.9-161.9% and 156.5-156.7%, respectively, compared with those of as-cast billets.
In situ observation of AZ61 Mg alloy with 1 and 5 wt% of Al₂O₃ in the scanning electron microscopy was performed to study influence of the weight fraction of Al₂O₃ particles on the deformation and fracture mechanism during tensile test. Structure of the experimental materials was also analysed; microstructures were heterogeneous, with randomly distributed globular Al₂O₃ particles (average diameter of 25 nm) and Mg₁₇Al₁₂ intermetallic phase (average diameter of 0.4 μ m). It was shown that during tensile deformation the failure of Mg₁₇Al₁₂ particles and decohesion of the matrix-Al₂O₃ particles interphase boundary started simultaneously. Decohesion resulted from the different physical properties of matrix and Al₂O₃ particles. The influence of the Al₂O₃ weight fraction on the final fracture was evident; for material with 5 wt% of Al₂O₃, the fracture surface was approximately perpendicular to the loading direction and for material with 1 wt% of Al₂O₃ was at 45° angle. Fracture surface had transcrystalline ductile character.