Strong and tough magnesium-MAX phase composites with nacre-like lamellar and brick-and-mortar architectures

Abstract Bioinspired nacre-like structures are effective in toughening materials, yet difficult to construct magnesium-ceramic systems. Here, a set of magnesium-MAX phase composites with lamellar and brick-and-mortar architectures fabricated by pressureless infiltration the magnesium melt into ice-templated Ti 3 AlC 2 ceramic scaffolds. The structure mechanical properties elucidated special focus on effects types (lamellar or brick-and-mortar) matrices (pure AZ91D alloy) mechanisms. found play role blunting cracks via plastic deformation microcracking, shielding from applied stress promoting crack deflection uncracked-ligament bridging These achieve good combination specific strength fracture toughness, which superior many other reported metal-ceramic composite materials.