Processing and Mechanical Properties of Ti₂AlC MAX Phase Reinforced AE44 Magnesium Composite

AE44 alloys and nanolaminated Ti₂AlC particle-reinforced AE44 magnesium composites were synthesized by stir casting techniques and textured by hot extrusion methods. It was found that lamellar Al₁₁RE₃ precipitates spheroidized with the introduction of Ti₂AlC into the AE44 matrix. Both transmission electron microscope and planar disregistries calculations reveal a good match for interfacial lattice transition between Mg (0001) and the basal plane (0001) of Ti₂AlC. This suggests that Ti₂AlC is an efficient potent nucleating substrate for Mg, thus fertilizing the formation of strong interfacial bonds. After hot extrusion treatment, Ti₂AlC particles were reoriented in the textured magnesium matrix, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction. This texture effect on the composite's mechanical properties was carefully studied by tensile and compressive tests.