Interfacial structure and mechanical properties of MgLi matrix composites

The study on interfacial structure and tensile properties of MgLi matrix composites. The results showed that there was a clear interface between the MgLi matrix and SiC whiskers. Calculation of thermodynamics confirmed that the clear interface between the matrix and SiC whiskers may contribute to the low reactionary potential or the low reactionary dynamics. However, some SiC whiskers were attacked. As a result, SiC whiskers connected with matrix in {111} and formed 70.5° or 109.5° stages on the whiskers surface in {111} face. The reason was the lower interfacial energy of {111} face. Tensile test confirmed that the SiC_w /MgLiAl composites showed higher tensile strength and higher modulus compared with MgLi matrix. Moreover, the specific strength and specific modulus were also increased obviously.