In the present study, the mechanical properties of magnesium composites containing nano-ZnO particles are investigated. An increase in microhardness was observed with increasing amount of ZnO from 0·5 to 1·5 vol.- in magnesium. The tensile and compressive yield strengths of the composites remained similar to that of Mg. This is attributed to the heterogeneous grain size distribution and the resultant weak basal texture. The tension–compression yield asymmetry was also found to be minimal due to the lack of strong basal texture. The composites showed improved ultimate tensile and compressive strengths, and this is attributed to well known strengthening mechanisms due to the presence of fine reinforcement particles. The tensile failure strain was significantly improved in composites, while there was a compromise in compressive failure strain. The improved tensile failure strain was due to non-basal slip activation through grain refinement and lack of intense basal intensity in composites.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.