Magnesium nanocomposites: An overview on time-dependent plastic (creep) deformation

Magnesium (Mg) nanocomposites are created when nano-size particles are embedded into the Mg (or Mg alloy) matrix. The Mg nanocomposites, cited as high-strength energy-saving materials of future, are a group of emerging materials with excellent combination of strength and ductility and superior specific strength property (strength-to-weight ratio). Having said this, Mg nanocomposites are considered as promising replacement for other structural alloys (i.e. aluminum and titanium) wherever low density and high strength are required, i.e. transportation, aerospace, defense, etc. To be able to apply this group of materials for real components, different failure mechanisms at ambient and elevated temperatures under static and dynamic loading condition must be well documented. Compared with other metals and alloys, rate-dependent plastic deformation (creep), at ambient and elevated temperatures, of these novel materials is not yet well studied which seems a tangible lack of knowledge. This is required since the materials in service are often exposed to medium and elevated temperatures and/or static loads for long duration of time and this encourages creep failure on them. To this end, the information and the controlling mechanisms on time/temperature-dependent response of the material need to be developed to be able to predict the response of the Mg nanocomposites where the materials are under creep conditions. This paper aims at providing an overview on (i) creep-resistant Mg alloys (as matrix) and their chemical compositions, and (ii) responses of the Mg nanocomposites at different creep conditions (time and temperature). The controlling mechanisms contributing to the strength and ductility of the Mg nanocomposites due to the presence of the nanoparticles have been reviewed briefly in the present article. In this paper both traditional (uniaxial) and depth-sensing indentation creep of Mg nanocomposites are reviewed. Also, some fundamental questions and possible explanations have been raised on the creep characteristics of Mg nanocomposites and the contribution of microstructural features (i.e. grain boundaries, twins, precipitates, nanoparticles). This overview article provides a comprehensive summary to understand one of the failure modes (creep) at ambient and elevated temperature in the energy saving Mg nanocomposites that would be of interest for those in academia who explore novel nanocomposites. Keywords: Mg nanocomposite, Creep, Strength, Reinforcement, Nanoparticle