Novel Nanostructured Magnesium Composites for Lightweight, Structural Applications

MATSYS proposes to develop novel compositions and processing techniques to produce lightweight, high-strength, nanostructured, Mg-based composites for structural and light armor applications. This effort will combine new approaches in composite material design with our unique expertise in instrumented-Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) to develop a new generation of cost-efficient, low density and high strength composite materials. In the proposed concept we will use mechanical alloying (MA) to strengthen Mg and Mg alloys by dispersing fibers, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), or hard particles, such as boron carbide and graphene, and achieving a nano-grained composite powder. The composite powder will then be consolidated to full density using instrumented-HIP to minimize the exposure of the powder to high temperature and preserve the microstructure of the starting powder. During this program, we will demonstrate the use of MA and instrumented-HIP to achieve the desired nanostructure in a fully dense composite and quantify the dependence of the mechanical properties on the amount of reinforcement. MATSYS will demonstrate the versatility of the approach by fabrication, from different composite powders, fully dense, low density and high strength nanostructured composites that will enhance the performance of lightweight, structural materials and armor applications.