A New Method to Lightweight Magnesium Using Syntactic Composite Core

Abstract

Light weighting of magnesium-based materials is crucial for its extensive use in transportation applications. Hybrid processing of these materials in a shell-core pattern can substantially improve the specific properties of magnesium. In the present study, the Mg/Mg-20GMB (glass microballoon) hybrid composite was prepared using a disintegrated melt deposition technique. Microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of the developed as-cast Mg/Mg-20GMB hybrid composite were investigated. Results revealed that a unified metallurgical interface was formed between the Mg-20GMB core material and the pure Mg shell. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) results confirmed the existence of Mg2Si as the secondary phase in the Mg-20GMB core material. The hybrid Mg/Mg-20GMB composite exhibited much superior compressive yield strength (↑71.6%), lower ultimate compressive strength (↓23.25%), and enhanced ductility (↑186.48%) when compared to as-cast pure magnesium.