Experimental and simulation investigation on thermal and mechanical properties for the hollow sphere reinforced AZ31 magnesium matrix composite

The experimental and simulationn investigation on the thermal and mechanical properties for the hollow sphere reinforced AZ31 magnesium matrix composite were carried out in this paper. The Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar and thermal conductivity experiments were used to obtain the mechanical and thermal properties of the composite. MgO coating was used on the surface of the hollow sphere in order to prevent the reaction between hollow spheres and magnesium alloy matrix. 40% volume fraction of the hollow sphere with 3.6 mm diameter and 0.185 wall thickness was proven to have the best performance on both thermal and mechanical properties.