Coupling of surface and volume behaviors to understand the generation of TTS in pure magnesium proceeded by HPT

Abstract

This study analyzes the formation of tribologically transformed structures (TTS) in pure magnesium (Mg) using high-pressure torsion (HPT) processing. Generally, studies conducted in such conditions do not focus on surface behaviors. The correlation between the friction and wear phenomena at the surface and the microstructural changes was investigated to supplement the knowledge on TTS formation during the first stage of rotation. An RHEOS apparatus was used to test the samples with an average grain size of 70 m under a mean pressure of 1 GPa and a rotation speed of 0.5 rpm. The samples were conducted in an unconstrained setup at room temperature. Surface and microstructure changes were examined using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the focused ion beam (FIB). Observation of surfaces shows that friction between the anvils and the surfaces of the sample was set to satisfy the sticking condition. Three different zones in surface contact are identified: the centre zone, the adhesion/sliding zones, and the edge zone, which generate consequently different behaviors. It was found that 0.5 turns of HPT produced a significant refinement in the grain size of the processed Mg. The TTS were considered a zone with a fine microstructure, where the initial grain size was reduced to the range of 300 nm to 1000 nm. The results show that TTS produced in these conditions are not homogenous. The deformation occurs differently, so the TTS were less or more refined. According to the different observations, a scenario of surface degradation was established. The accommodation mechanisms considered are the rupture and shear modes, which occurred, respectively, in the first material and the third body.