Synergistic Improvement on Strength and Plasticity for Spherical Fe-Based Metallic Glass Particles Reinforced Mg-Based Composites

Most Mg-based composites are reinforced with ceramic particles such as aluminum oxide and silicon carbide, which leads to relatively high strength and elastic modulus but moderate plasticity, especially when ceramic reinforcements are present at elevated concentrations. We offer a novel type of Mg-based composite reinforced micro-sized spherical Fe-based metallic glass powders (FMGP) that positively mix heat with the matrix element to avoid the development of brittle intermetallic compounds. The composites are sintered at the temperature between the glass transition temperature and the first commencing crystallization temperature of metallic glass, i.e., the supercooled liquid region, to obtain improved densification due to lower sintering resistance. The results reveal that when the FMGP concentration increases, so do the composites’ strength, plasticity, and densification. For example, adding 30 wt.% spherical FMGP to pure magnesium increases yield strength, ultimate compressive strength, and fracture strain by 105%, 228%, and 450%, respectively. This intriguing discovery might provide valuable guidance for developing a novel kind of composite with great durability and flexibility for real engineering applications.