A Review on Fabrication and Properties of Magnesium Metal Matrix Composite Materials

Since the last decade, magnesium metal matrix composites (MMMCs) are getting much attention due to their lightweight, low density, good damping, and machinability properties. Recently, these composites are being used in aerospace, automobile, electronics, marine and sports industries. The MMMC has the potential to replace the higher density metals, especially in the automotive sector, to improve its high performance without compromising the required properties. The MMMC reduces the final weight of the vehicle that reflects lower fuel consumption, thus improving efficiency. It is known that pure magnesium has inferior physical and mechanical properties. To overcome these drawbacks, reinforcing particles like ceramic materials in the forms of fibers, whiskers or particulates are being used to obtain excellent properties. As per the literature, inhomogeneity, surface wetting and interface bonding between reinforcement and matrix are the major issues during the fabrication through the liquid metallurgical technique of the magnesium alloy metal matrix composite. To reduce these defects, many researchers used the powder metallurgy technique. It is one of the most effective techniques for fabricating composites and nanocomposites. This review paper aims at the fabrication techniques and properties of the recent developments of MMMCs. Also, tribo-mechanical properties of MMMC using hybrid and nano-particle reinforcement in the matrix have been discussed.