Fig. 2: Mechanical properties of the nacre-like Mg-MAX phase composites.

Representative load-displacement curves (a) and the hardness and elastic modulus (b) measured by nanoindentation testing for the metal (inter-lamellar) and ceramic-rich (lamella) constituents in the pure Mg and AZ91D alloy composites with lamellar architecture. c Flexural strength and ductility of the Mg-MAX phase composites with different architectures and metal components. SEM micrographs of the fracture surfaces for the pure Mg (d, e) and AZ91D alloy (f) composites with lamellar architecture after bending. e is a magnified view of the yellow dashed box in d. Error bars represent standard deviation from the mean.