The present study investigated the effects of alloying and nano-reinforcement on the mechanical properties (microhardness, tensile strength, and compressive strength) of Mg-based alloys and composites. Pure Mg, Mg-3Sn alloy, and Mg-3Sn + 0.2 GNP alloy-nanocomposite were synthesized by powder metallurgy followed by hot extrusion. The microstructural characteristics of the bulk extruded samples were explored using X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and optical microscopy and their mechanical properties were compared. The microhardness, tensile strength, and compressive strength of the Mg-3Sn alloy improved when compared to those of monolithic Mg sample and further improvements were displayed by Mg-3Sn + 0.2 GNP alloy-nanocomposite. No significant change in the compressive strain to failure was observed in both the alloy and the alloy-nanocomposite with respect to that of the pure Mg sample. However, an enhanced tensile strain to failure was displayed by both the alloy and the alloy-nanocomposite.

Graphene and its derivatives, due to their extraordinary mechanical, thermal, and tribological properties, are extensively used to fabricate bulk graphene-based nanocomposites. On the other hand, magnesium alloys are lightweight and manifest excellent mechanical properties. In the present study, the hardness and compressive responses of Mg–3 wt%Al/xRGO (x = 0.1 wt% and 0.3 wt.%) nanocomposites at ambient temperature were investigated. Further, the coefficient of thermal expansion of Mg–3 wt%Al/xRGO (x = 0.1 wt% and 0.3 wt.%) nanocomposites at elevated temperatures were estimated and compared with those of pure Mg and Mg–3 wt%Al alloy. Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) synthesized through the improved Hummer’s Method followed by the thermal reduction method was used as the reinforcement material. The bulk samples of pure Mg, Mg–3%Al alloy, and nanocomposites were synthesized by blending of Mg, Al and RGO powder followed by cold compaction, microwave sintering and hot extrusion. Nanocomposite samples displayed significant changes in microstructures and substantial improvements in both Vickers hardness and ultimate compressive strength. The lower thermal expansion coefficients of Mg–3%Al/xRGO (x = 0.1 wt% and 0.3 wt.%) nanocomposites demonstrated better thermal and dimensional stability with respect to temperature. The obtained results would be conducive to design lightweight structural materials.

The bulk Mg/3%Al/0.1%GNP alloy-nano composite was fabricated using powder metallurgy route assisted with microwave sintering and followed by hot extrusion. The microstructural and Raman spectroscopy studies were performed to characterize the graphene nano-platelet(GNP).EDX tests confirmed the presence and the homogeneous distribution of Al and graphene nano-platelets in the magnesium alloy-nanocomposite. The addition of 3 wt% Al and 0.1wt%GNP to the Mg changed Vicker hardness, ultimate tensile strength and failure strain by +46.15%,+17.6% and -5% respectively. The fabricated composite offers higher resistance to the local deformation than monolithic Mg and Mg/3%Al alloy, revealed by the load/unload-indentation depth curve.

The present study investigated the effects of alloying and nano-reinforcement on the mechanical properties (microhardness, tensile strength, and compressive strength) of Mg-based alloys and composites. Pure Mg, Mg-3Sn alloy, and Mg-3Sn+0.2GNP alloy-nanocomposite were synthesized by powder metallurgy followed by hot extrusion. The microstructural characteristics of the bulk extruded samples were explored using X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and optical microscopy and their mechanical properties were compared. The microhardness, tensile strength, and compressive strength of the Mg-3Sn alloy improved when compared to those of monolithic Mg sample and further improvements were displayed by Mg-3Sn+0.2GNP alloy-nanocomposite. No significant change in the compressive strain to failure was observed in both the alloy and the alloy-nanocomposite with respect to that of the pure Mg sample. However, an enhanced tensile strain to failure was displayed by both the alloy and the alloy-nanocomposite.