Using Mg and Mg–nanoAl2O3 concentric alternating macro-ring material design to enhance the properties of magnesium

Abstract The overall aim of engineering design is to improve on technology and way of life. Here, we show how the tensile properties of magnesium have been improved using concentric alternating macro-ring design. Specifically, Mg–nanoAl2O3 layered hybrid nano-composites were fabricated. These nano-composites were then hot extruded into fairly concentric hybrid alternating Mg and Mg–nanoAl2O3 macro-ring structures (having stressed micro-interface). We also show the first instance of mechanical property improvement by careful simultaneous design of macrostructure and microstructure in a composite. Here, we focus on the effects of varying the thickness of the pre-extrusion layers. The 0.2%YS, UTS and ductility of the ring structured hybrid nano-composites peaked at 3 mm pre-extrusion layer thickness, where the corresponding properties of monolithic Mg were significantly inferior in comparison. Further, our method of ring structured hybrid composite synthesis may possibly enable significant reduction in time and cost of manufacturing superconducting cables.