Si₃N₄ Nanoparticle Addition to Concentrated Magnesium Alloy AZ81: Enhanced Tensile Ductility and Compressive Strength

Table 1

Results of grain characteristics and microhardness of monolithic AZ81 and derived nanocomposite. (Prior to tensile/compressive testing).

Material	Si3N4 (vol.%)	Grain characteristics^a		Microhardness (HV)
		Size (μm)	Aspect ratio
AZ81	—	7.6 ± 1.6	1.4	115 ± 6
AZ81/1.5 vol% Si3N4	1.50	5.8 ± 1.2	1.5	112 ± 6 (−3)

^aBased on approximately 100 grains.
( ) Brackets indicate % change with respect to corresponding result of monolithic alloy.