Magnesium matrix composite reinforced by nanoparticles – A review

Significant progress has been made in magnesium-based composites during recent decades, especially for the appearance of magnesium matrix composite reinforced by nanoparticles. The nanoparticles added not only exhibit a good strengthening effect, but also maintain the initial toughness of the matrix, effectively balancing the contradiction between the strength and plasticity in the traditional magnesium matrix composites. The magnesium matrix nanocomposites with excellent mechanical properties have pushed the development of magnesium matrix composites to a new stage. However, it is very difficult to disperse the nanoparticles in metal melt especially in magnesium melt which is different from other metal melts and dangerous during the cast processing. This means that the preparation of magnesium matrix nanocomposite is extremely challenging. Further, the magnesium matrix nanocomposites possess a distinctive characteristic in deformation behavior, strengthening and toughening mechanism due to their special size effect of nanoparticles. Accordingly, this review will focus on the new preparation technologies, deformation behavior, mechanical properties and strengthening and toughening mechanisms. The potential applications, development trends and future research ideas of magnesium matrix nanocomposite are also prospected.