Tensile, Flexural, and Fatigue Responses of Lightweight Pumice-Reinforced Magnesium Composite: Experimentation Followed by an Analytical Modeling

Abstract

Featherweight material to sustain mountainous loads is an extreme contrast. Still, in reality, the automobile and aerospace industries seek very light materials with high specific strength to survive in global competition. This study offers a timely answer to the problems faced by those sectors. Through the use of a stir-assisted squeeze casting method, the current investigation aims to generate a lightweight magnesium composite that is reinforced with porous low-density pumice particles at weight percentages of 5%, 10%, and 15%. An examination of the density indicates that there is a downward tendency in conjunction with the growing reinforcement. In comparison to the magnesium alloy in its natural state, the Pumice 15 coupon achieves a tensile strength increment of 47%, flexural strength increment of 35%, and a 10-time increment in service cycle at fatigue increase. The micromechanics model is implemented to justify the strengthening process in terms of the adhesion between the filler matrix and the interface shear strength. The property plots that were drafted provide evidence that the suggested material is lightweight while exhibiting a significant amount of strength in tensile, flexural, and fatigue. Post-fracture surface morphology analysis exhibits distinct tensile, flexural, and fatigue patterns.