A Metallic Nanocomposite with the Highest Strength and Modulus Ratio of Any Metallic Material for Applications Weapons Systems

New and innovative materials are required to provide revolutionary capabilities to DoD platforms and weapon systems. Magnesium is the lightest metal that can be applied to defense, structural and commercial applications. Magnesium’s utilization is often restricted since it suffers from inherent poor corrosion resistance and mechanical deficiencies. Nanoreinforcements in magnesium have demonstrated significant improvement in corrosion resistance similar to that of aluminum and some nanoreinforcements in a metal have similarly shown increases of 1.5 to 3.5 times in mechanical property improvements. Nanoreinforced nano-grained magnesium offers the potential to exhibit a strength and modulus to density ratio greater than any metallic material. Some nanoreinforcements in magnesium offer significant potential to produce a ballistic material with the lowest areal density of any material. This program will optimize nanoreinforced magnesium to provide exemplary corrosion resistance and the highest specific properties and ballistic performance of any metallic material for applications to revolutionize capabilities in DoD platforms and weapon systems.