a b s t r a c tIn the present study, AZ91 magnesium matrix composites reinforced with six volume fractions (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3 and 5 vol.%) of submicron-SiC particulates (0.2 m) were fabricated by stir casting. The as-cast ingots were forged at 420 • C with 50% reduction, and then extruded at 370 • C with the ratio of 16 at a constant ram speed of 15 mm/s. The microstructure of the composites was investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffractometer. Microstructure characterization of the composites showed relative uniform reinforcement distribution, significant grain refinement and presence of minimal porosity. The X-ray diffractometer analysis showed that a strong basal plane texture was formed in both AZ91 alloy and SiCp/AZ91 composites during extrusion and the addition of submicronSiC particulates could weaken the basal plane texture. The presence of submicron-SiC particulates assisted in improving the thermal stability, micro-hardness, elastic modulus and 0.2% yield strength. Both of the 0.2% yield strength and ultimate tensile strength increased with the increasing of submicron-SiC particulate content, however, decreased as the SiC particulate content overrun 2 vol.%.
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