Abstract
In the current study, magnesium based nanocomposites containing 1 and 1.5 vol.% alumina particulates as reinforcement were synthesized using a disintegrated melt deposition technique. Microstructural characterization of the composite materials revealed uniform distribution of Al₂O₃, good interfacial integrity between the matrix and reinforcement and presence of limited porosity. Mechanical properties characterization results revealed that the presence of nano- Al₂O₃ reinforcement led to an improvement in hardness, 0.2 % yield strength, UTS, ductility and work of fracture. Solutionizing heat treatment carried out at a temperature of 413 °C for 2 hours led to a significant enhancement in ductility of the nanocomposites (31 % ductility exhibited by AZ91D/1.5 Al₂O₃). This study clearly reveals the ability of Al₂O₃ particulates and solutionizing heat treatment to vary the tensile response of AZ91D/ Al₂O₃ nanocomposites enabling them to be used in a wide spectrum of engineering applications.

Key words
AZ91D, nano-alumina, solutionizing heat treatment, mechanical properties, microstructure

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