This study aims to investigate the mechanical, wear and corrosion performances of TiC reinforced AZ91 matrix composites. AZ91 alloy and AZ91/TiC composites with different weight fractions of 10, 20 and 30 (wt%) were fabricated by powder metallurgy incorporating hot pressing. Microstructure characterization shows that partial agglomeration of particles is present especially in AZ91/30 wt% TiC composite. The addition of TiC led to significant improvement in hardness and wear resistance. Observed wear mechanism is abrasive. As compared with AZ91, compressive yield strength and ultimate compressive strength of the composites were also significantly improved. On the other hand, corrosion rate increased with the addition of TiC particles by virtue of presence of the galvanic reactions.

In this study, magnesium and magnesium metal matrix composites (Mg-MMCs) reinforced with 10, 20 and 30 weight (wt.)% TiB₂ particulates were produced by powder metallurgy using the hot pressing technique. The hardness, density, wear behaviour and microstructure of samples were investigated. Uniform distributions of TiB₂ particulates were observed except with some partial agglomeration for 30 wt-% TiB₂. When compared to pure Mg, the hardness increment of Mg-MMCs reinforced with 10, 20 and 30 wt-%TiB₂ particulates was 10.7, 31.9 and 65.3%, respectively. As compared to pure Mg, under load of 20 N, the decrease in wear rate in 10, 20 and 30 wt-% reinforcement was 28.71, 34.98 and 42.92%, respectively. It is believed that the reason of decrease in wear rate was the presence of harder TiB₂ particulates, which resisted to wear and plastic deformation. For pure Mg, oxidative wear changed to oxidative and mild abrasive wear transition from 10 to 20 N. Mg/TiB₂ composites exhibited abrasive wear mechanism under load of 10 and 20 N except 30 wt-% TiB₂ composite indicated oxidative and adhesive wear. However, a transition from mild abrasive wear to severe abrasive wear was observed with increasing load in composites.

In this study, graphene nanoplatelets (0.25 and 0.5 wt-%) reinforced aluminium matrix composites were synthesised. Microstructures of composites were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. Hardness was measured according to the Vickers test method. Tensile tests were performed at both room (25°C) and elevated temperatures (150°C and 250°C). Results showed that hardness was improved with direct addition of graphene. Microstructure of composites was free of macro defects. Yield and tensile strength behaviours of pure aluminium were increased with the addition of graphene especially at room temperature. Graphene-reinforced samples have higher compressive residual stress. From the outer surface to inner surface, transition from compressive to tensile residual stress was observed for samples.