Development of Mg-Y2O3 Nanocomposites via Powder Metallurgy Technique incorporating the Hot Pressing Process

Mg matrix nanocomposite containing 0.5, 1.5 and 3 wt. % of Y2O3 nanoparticles were produced by hot pressing. Some samples were sintered via conventional sintering, for comparison. The structural characteristics of the samples were studied by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The density and hardness of the sintered samples were measured. Microstructural characterization shows a fairuniform distribution of Y2O3 nanoparticles within Mg matrix. It was observed that the continuous network of the Y2O3 nanoparticles were decorated on the particle boundaries of the matrix and by increasing the weight percentage of Y2O3 nanoparticles, the tendency to the agglomeration increased. Hot pressed nanocomposites showed a better bonding at powder particle interfaces compared to the conventionally sintered samples. Evaluation of Y2O3 nanoparticles identity and distribution by EDS mapping analysis revealed that the addition of Y2O3 nanoparticles to the matrix leads to higher hardness of the samples. The hardness of hot pressed samples was higher than that of conventionally sintered nanocomposites