Effect of nanoparticles reinforcement of Silicon dioxide derived from natural agriculture waste prosopis juliflora on Silver-Grey Magnesium nanocomposite: Utilization of Silicon dioxide mechanical and tribological properties

Abstract

The automotive and aviation industries are required lightweight materials to enhance working efficiency. Composites are developed as lightweight alternatives materials, blending materials such as aluminium, magnesium, titanium, steel, copper, and their alloys in various combinations. The present investigation to fabricate a Silver-Grey Magnesium (Mg-25%Si) alloy-based nanocomposite with silicon dioxide (SiO2) nano reinforcement at weight % of 0, 3.25, 6.5 and 9.75 utilizing two steps stir casting method. The nano reinforcements different wt. % are prepared by using agricultural waste prosopis juliflora. The microhardness, tensile, wear, and impact tests are performed on the Silver-Grey Magnesium nanocomposites (Mg-25%Si/SiO2) utilizing a computerized tensometer testing machine, a Vicker’s hardness tester, a pin-on-disc tribometer, and an Izod impact, respectively. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) with elemental mapping microstructure were employed to scrutinize the tensile specimen fracture, EDAX, elemental mapping microstructure, wear, CoF, and worn surface characterization and impact strength analysis. The results of the Mg-25%Si/SiO2 nanocomposites shown an increase in SiO2 nano reinforcements that considerably increased microhardness, tensile strength, wear resistance, and impact strength when compared to the Silver-Grey Magnesium (Mg-25%Si) base alloy.