Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Squeeze Cast AZ91 Mg/Al Borate Whisker Composites

용탕단조법으로 제조된 AZ91 Mg/Al Borate 휘스커 복합재료의 미세조직 및 기계적 특성

This study aims at investigating the correlation of microstructure and mechanical properties of the AZ91 Mg/Al borate whisker composites fabricated by squeeze csting technique with a variation of applied pressure. Microstructure observation and in-situ fracture tests were conducted on the composites to identify the microfracture process. Detailed microstructural analyses indicated that the grain refinement could be achieved with applied pressure and the little change in volume fraction on reinforcing whiskers could be carried out. It was also found clearly from in-situ observation of crack initiation and propagation that in the composite processed by the lower applied pressure, microcracks were initiated earily at whisker/matrix interfaces, thereby resulting in the drop in strength. In the composite processed by the higher applied pressure, on the other hand, planar slip lines were well developed in the matrix, and then propagated through whiskers without whisker/matrix decohesion. Thus, the effect of the applied pressure on microstructure and mechanical properties can be explained by grain refinement, increased amounts of reinforcements, and improvement of whisker/matrix interfacial strength as the applied pressure in increased.