Reinforcement of magnesium Elektron 21 with aluminium nitride (AlN) nanoparticles dispersed using a travelling magnetic field

Magnesium alloy Elektron 21 is commonly used in aerospace structural parts in which good creep resistance and lightness are required. This alloy maintains good mechanical properties at temperatures as high as 200 °C. One mechanism with high potential for improving mechanical properties of magnesium alloys at a high temperature is dispersion-strengthening based on nanoparticles. In this paper, we analyse the properties of magnesium Elektron 21 samples solidified with nanoparticles of aluminium nitride dispersed by an electromagnetic stirring provided from a travelling magnetic field. X-ray tomography and X-ray spectrometry as well as compression tests at several temperatures (350, 400 and 450 °C) are carried out on samples containing the nanoparticles. The present study extends the knowledge on the processing by alternative techniques and on the enhancement of creep behaviour at higher temperatures for such metal matrix composites compared to previous studies.