Stress-rupture measurements of cast magnesium strengthened by in-situ production of ceramic particles

We have introduced a polymer precursor into molten magnesium and then in-situ pyrolyzed to produce castings of metal matrix composites(P-MMCs)containing silicon-carbonitride(SiCNO)ceramic particles.Stress-rupture measurements of as-cast P-MMCs was performed at 350 ℃(0.69TM)to 450 ℃(0.78TM)under dead load condition corresponding to tensile stress of 2.5 MPa to 20 MPa.The time-to-fracture data were analyzed using the classical Monkman–Grant equation.The time-to-fracture is thermally activated and follows a power-law stress exponent exhibiting dislocation creep.Fractography analysis revealed that while pure magnesium appears to fracture by dislocation slip,the P-MMCs fail from the nucleation and growth of voids at the grain boundaries.