Influence of the Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Content Variation on the Microstructure, Density, and Compressive Properties of Established Porous Magnesium (Mg)

Abstract

AbstractIn the present work, porous Mg was fabricated via powder metallurgy technique with the aids of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) as the space holder material in establishing a desirable porous structure at various proportions of 10 wt%, 30 wt%, and 50 wt%, respectively. The microstructure of porous Mg revealed a complete spherical closed-cell structure with the addition of 10 wt% and 30 wt% of PMMA whereas irregular open-cell structure were observed with the addition of 50 wt% of PMMA. On the other hand, the densities of sintered porous Mg decreased from 1.209 g/cm3 to 0.923 g/cm3 when the PMMA content was increased from 10 wt% to 50 wt%, respectively. In contrast, the porosities of porous Mg increased from 9.88% to 48.40% as the content of PMMA was increased from 10 wt% to 50 wt%, respectively. Moreover, XRD analysis detected the formation of Mg and MgO phases. Finally, the compressive strength and energy absorption of the established porous Mg enhanced from 17.67 MPa and 1.18 MJ/m3 to 55.44 MPa and 2.42 MJ/m3 when the PMMA was increased from 10 wt% to 30 wt%, respectively. However, the addition of 50 wt% of PMMA reduced the compressive strength and energy absorption of established porous Mg to 8.79 MPa and 0.97 MJ/m3 due to the formation of irregular open-celled pores that easily propagate thus fractured at much lower stress. Therefore, based on the current findings, 30 wt% of PMMA content was considered as the optimum in establishing porous Mg with desirable microstructure, density, and compressive properties.KeywordsPorous MgPowder metallurgy techniquePMMAMicrostructureDensityCompressive properties