Synthesis and characterisation of magnesium matrix composite reinforced with titanium dioxide nanoparticulates

Abstract

In the present work, magnesium matrix composite reinforced with titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticulates was synthesized using powder metallurgy (solid-state processing) technique followed by hybrid microwave heat treatment and hot extrusion. Commercially available magnesium particulates of average particle size 60-300 μm and titanium oxide nanoparticulates of average particle size ∼21 nm was used in this study. Extruded samples of pure magnesium and magnesium titanium dioxide (Mg-TiO 2 ) nanocomposites were characterized for their physical, surface and internal microstructure (2D & 3D), elemental composition and mechanical behaviour. The experimental density and porosity of the composite specimens increases gradually with increase in addition of TiO 2 . Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) composite samples revealed that the nano TiO 2 particulates distributed uniformly throughout the matrix with no significant agglomeration. The same was confirmed through 3D internal microstructure also. The elemental composition, crystalline structure was measured using x-ray diffractograms (XRD) which confirm that no foreign elements exists. Further, the microhardness and nanoindentation of composite samples showed an increasing trend with increase in addition of TiO 2 nanoparticles.