Abrasive wear behavior of WC nanoparticle reinforced magnesium metal matrix composites

Abstract

In this study, abrasive wear characteristics of AZ31-WC nanocomposites with varying weight percentage of nanoparticles (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 & 2) are examined. AZ31-WC nanocomposites have been fabricated by ultrasonic vibration assisted stir casting method. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy are employed to perform characterizations of cast composites. Density and micro hardness of nanocomposites are also investigated. Effect of abrasive grit size and sliding distance on abrasive wear behavior and friction behavior of nanocomposites are evaluated using pin-on-disc tribotester. Worn surfaces are studied with the help of 3D optical surface plotter, SEM and EDAX to find dominant wear mechanism at several experimental conditions. Microscopic observations disclose that distribution of WC nanoparticles is uniform throughout the matrix. Density and micro hardness increase with increasing percentage of WC nanoparticles. Moreover, significant improvement in wear resistance and friction behavior is observed by incorporation of WC nanoparticles. Wear resistance of Mg-2WC nanocomposite is improved around 56% than base alloy when tested with 400 grit SiC paper and 50 mm track diameter. Higher grit size abrasive paper exhibits less wear in composites. 3D Surface plots of worn surfaces show that, surface roughness is decreased with increasing wt% of WC. Surface roughness of worn surface of Mg-2WC nanocomposite tested with 800 grit, 50 mm track diameter has 35.06% less surface roughness than Mg-2WC nanocomposite tested with 400 grit, 50 mm track diameter. Investigation of worn surfaces discloses dominant mechanisms as abrasion, adhesion and delamination at several experimental conditions.

Tribological characterisation of magnesium matrix nanocomposites: A review

“…Abrasive wear characteristics of AZ31-WC nanocomposites were evaluated by Banerjee et al 88 Varying amount (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 wt.%) of WC particles (80 nm) were fortified using ultrasonic vibration assisted stir casting method. Tribological tests were conducted by selecting different process parameters, that is, SiC Increase in abrasive grit size was inversely related to mass loss while mass loss enhanced with sliding distance.…”

“…Abrasive grit also affects tribological characteristics of Mg–MNCs as summarized in Table 8. Abrasive wear characteristics of AZ31–WC nanocomposites were evaluated by Banerjee et al 88 Varying amount (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 wt.%) of WC particles (80 nm) were fortified using ultrasonic vibration assisted stir casting method. Tribological tests were conducted by selecting different process parameters, that is, SiC grit paper (400, 600 and 800), track diameter (30, 40 and 50 mm), 30 N load, 100 rpm sliding speed and time 5 min.…”

“…(a) Wear rate vs Abrasive grit size and (b) COF vs Abrasive grit size for Mg-WC nanocomposites. 88 …”

Tribological Performance Optimization of Mg-WC Nanocomposites in Dry Sliding: A Statistical Approach

“…The typical surface area of nanoparticles is the main key factor which helps to improve different properties. Consequently, investigators have employed different ceramic-based particulates (B 4 C, SiC, ZnO, Y 2 O 3 , TiC, TiB 2 , BN, WC, and Al 2 O 3 ) in the magnesium matrix (Nguyen and Gupta, 2008;Alam et al, 2011;Erman et al, 2012;Tun et al, 2012;Ponappa et al, 2013;Casati and Vedani, 2014;Meenashisundaram et al, 2014;Selvam et al, 2014;Dalmis et al, 2016;Gopal et al, 2017;Nie et al, 2017;Kaviti et al, 2018;Narayanasamy et al, 2018;Aydin et al, 2018;Banerjee et al, 2019a;Banerjee et al, 2019b;Banerjee et al, 2020;Banerjee et al, 2021). Literature also reveals that a small fraction (≤2 wt.%) of nanoparticle is ample to achieve the required properties, e.g., superior hardness, enhanced ductility, noticeable yield strength, and enhanced wear resistance (Casati and Vedani, 2014;Banerjee et al, 2021).…”

Effects of inert gas environment on the sliding wear behavior of AZ91/B4C surface composites

“…Mg-based metal matrix composites have been developed via different processing routes over the past two decades to meet the requirement of desirable properties, especially to improve wear characteristics. [2][3][4][5][6] Tribological studies of Mg alloy composites are very important to understand the friction and wear characteristics of developed components. Several studies have demonstrated the dry sliding wear behavior of Mg alloys and their composites under different ranges of contact loads, sliding speeds, and temperatures.…”