Abstract
Production conditions and mechanical properties of magnesium based composites reinforced with aluminum diboride (AlB2), magnesium diboride (MgB2) and amorphous boron of several contents up to 50 vol% were investigated. These composites were produced by hot-pressing at a temperature of 853K and under a pressure of 60MPa in argon. The added boride perticles dispersed fairly well in magnesium matrix. The addition of these borides improved the mechanical properties of the magnesium composites. Especially the bending strength of the Mg-AlB2 increased to a maximum value of 406MPa at 15vol%AIB2. The increase in strength was presumably attributed to a particle dispersion strengthening mechanism in the composites. Other mechanical properties of the composites, such as high temperature hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance, were also improved by the addition of the borides.
