## 1 Introduction  
Recently, lightweight metallic composites have gained significant commercial use in various industries. These composites are being employed for the production of components used in electronic devices, nuclear reactors, biomedical applications, sports equipment, marine vessels, automotive parts, and aerospace technology. The unique combination of lightweight properties and desirable mechanical characteristics makes these composites highly versatile and suitable for a wide range of applications across different sectors. The use of lightweight metallic composites is a promising trend in modern engineering, offering opportunities for enhanced performance and efficiency in diverse industries. Magnesium and its alloys are lightweight metals having density 1.7-1.9 g/cm\({}^{3}\), lesser than aluminum (Al)'s metal density (2.67 g/cm\({}^{3}\)). The common metals present in the Mg alloys are Al, Zn, Mn, Si, Zr, Cu, and rare earth metals [1; 2; 3]. The numerous Mg alloys available are casting alloys such as AZ63, AZ81, AZ91, AM50, AM60, ZKS1, ZK61, ZE41, ZC63, etc.,and wrought alloys like AZ31, AZ61, AZ80, ZK60, ZE41, ZC71, etc. These magnesium alloys are mostly used to fabricate the magnesium metal matrix composites (MMMCs). The main alloying elements in magnesium alloys are depicted in Table 1. These elements have different functions and are added for various purposes like enhancements in strength, hardness, ductility, fluidity for casting, wear, corrosion resistance, etc. Amongst these alloys, AZ91 is widely used for the purposes of electronic packaging, computer housings, clutch and brake brackets, rotor fittings for helicopters, textile machines, wheelchairs, and other medical equipment [4; 5; 6]. There are several reinforcements which can be used to reinforce the magnesium alloys for fabricating the MMMCs such as TiC, TiO\({}_{2}\), TaC, TiN, TiB\({}_{2}\), AlN, SiC, SiO\({}_{2}\), ZrC, ZrO\({}_{2}\), ZrB\({}_{2}\), ZnO, Al\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\), MgO, Si\({}_{3}\)N\({}_{4}\), CaB\({}_{6}\), WC, B\({}_{4}\)C, BN, Cr\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\), C (graphite), etc., and a few of them have been repeatedly used in previous research works [7; 8; 9]. Amid these, Silicon Nitride (Si\({}_{3}\)N\({}_{4}\)) ceramic particles are more competent, hard, have a high melting temperature, elevated thermal stability, and a low cost as compared to other ceramic particles. Si\({}_{3}\)N\({}_{4}\) has a high melting temperature (1900 \({}^{\circ}\)C) and low density (3.17 g/cm\({}^{3}\)). Si\({}_{3}\)N\({}_{4}\) ceramic-reinforced metal matrix composites are extensively used in aerospace, medical, electronic, and automobile components. They are also known as high-temperature materials. Many research studies on MMMCs have been conducted by researchers and scientists. [PERSON], [PERSON] et al. [10] used friction stir processing (FSP) to manufacture ZE43 magnesium surface composites with different Silicon Nitride (Si\({}_{3}\)N\({}_{4}\)) percentages (6%, 12%, and 18%). The surface hardness and wear resistance of the composites were enhanced by the inclusion of reinforcing particles. Compared to other produced composites, the surface composite containing 18% Si\({}_{3}\)N\({}_{4}\) had a superior hardness of 122 VHN and a lower wear rate. [PERSON] et al. [11] fabricated AZ91/12 Si\({}_{3}\)N\({}_{4}\) and AZ91/25 Si\({}_{3}\)N\({}_{4}\) composites by an infiltration method and found that there was an improvement in the strength and hardness of the composites. [PERSON] et al. [12] investigated the structure and performance of Ni-based Al\({}_{2}\)O\({}_{3}\), SiC, and Si\({}_{3}\)N\({}_{4}\) composites and disclosed that the reinforcements were uniformly distributed in the matrix. The vibration and damping characteristics of Si\({}_{3}\)N\({}_{4}\)-reinforced MMMCs were studied by [PERSON] et al. [13]. The results showed the influence of Si\({}_{3}\)N\({}_{4}\) on the performance of damping characteristics. [PERSON] et al. [14] assessed porous Si\({}_{3}\)N\({}_{4}\) with a porosity of 51% and flexural strength of 77 MPa. [PERSON] et al.