Technical and environmental evaluation of a new high performance material based on magnesium alloy reinforced with submicrometre-sized TiC particles to develop automotive lightweight components and make transport sector more sustainable

Abstract

This study evaluated the use of submicrometre-sized particles based on titanium carbide from both technical and environmental points of view. The objective was to improve the mechanical properties of the magnesium alloy intended for use in the automotive component industry. To this end, an Al/TiC master compound containing 60 wt.% of TiC was produced through a self-propagating, high-temperature synthesis process and embedded in a magnesium alloy by a mechanical stirring method. The life cycle assessment methodology was then used to evaluate the environmental impact of the manufacturing of the magnesium alloy reinforced with submicrometre-sized particles. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques revealed the nature and purity of the TiC present in the material and revealed particle sizes below submicrometre range (300–500 nm). The incorporation of TiC particles into the magnesium alloy resulted in improvements in yield stress and ultimate tensile strength of more than 10% and 18%, respectively, and increases in ductility values by 30%. Finally, the results indicated that the submicrometre particle production had a low environmental impact compared with the total impact associated with manufacturing the magnesium alloy reinforced with submicrometre-sized particles; the greatest environmental burden was attributed to the magnesium production stage. However, this impact is offset in the use phase of the vehicle, providing approximately 28,000 km of mileage for a car.