article · Journal of Materials Research and Technology
Magnesium alloys are lightweight materials that often require enhanced mechanical and surface properties for demanding structural uses. In this study, cerium oxide and zirconium dioxide powders were blended and introduced into an AZ31B magnesium alloy using solid-state friction stir processing at rotational speeds up to 1200 rpm. Processing at higher tool speeds eliminated voids and particle clumping, producing defect-free hybrid composites. The higher rotational speeds also promoted significant grain refinement and particle fragmentation. As a result of these structural modifications, the processed composite demonstrated notable increases in hardness, shear punching strength, and tensile strength. Furthermore, the uniform dispersion of the ceramic particles and refined microstructures led to marked improvements in both wear resistance and corrosion resistance, successfully demonstrating an effective strategy for reinforcing magnesium-based components.
Magnesium alloys offer weight-saving benefits, but their widespread engineering use is frequently held back by low strength, wear, and corrosion vulnerabilities. Demonstrating that friction stir processing with blended ceramic oxides can resolve defects and enhance mechanical robustness provides engineers with a clear method to develop stronger, more durable lightweight materials.
This work represents early-stage materials development and testing. It demonstrates an approach for reinforcing structural magnesium alloys that could interest manufacturers seeking lighter, wear-resistant, and corrosion-resistant components. Moving towards commercialisation will require scaling up the solid-state processing method beyond laboratory trials and testing component performance under real operational conditions.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
To improve the properties of AZ31B Mg alloy and for the first time, the rare earth cerium oxide (CeO2) and zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) were combined for synergistic benefits and introduced into the structural AZ31B magnesium alloy through the solid-state friction stir processing procedure to form the hybridized AZ31B Mg/ZrO2+CeO2 composites under variable levels of the tool's rotational speed up to 1200 rpm. The macro-/microstructure, hardness, shear punching strength, tensile strength, corrosion behaviours, and tribological characteristics such as weight/wear loss, wear rate, coefficient of friction, worn surfaces, and debris of the AZ31B Mg/ZrO2+CeO2 hybrid composites were investigated and compared. The results indicated that void, tunnel defect, and ZrO2+CeO2 agglomeration could not be prevented at low speed (800 rpm) while defect-free composites were obtained at high speed (1200 rpm). Grain refinement from 7.39 μm to 3.38 μm and the ZrO2+CeO2 fragmentation (4.52–2.49 μm) ensued after a rise in the tool's rotational speed owing to higher plastic straining, dynamic recrystallization, and ZrO2+CeO2 particle-aided pinning effects. Improvements in hardness (99–135 HV), shear punching strength (121–237 MPa), tensile strength (172–228 MPa) and wear properties of the composite were attained due to the defect elimination, inherent finer Mg grains, and the uniformly dispersed ZrO2+CeO2 particles. These attributes also enhanced the corrosion resistance of the AZ31B Mg/ZrO2+CeO2 composite at the elevated rotating speed of the tool. The combination of the CeO2 and ZrO2 particles is an effective particle-blend for improving the properties of Mg alloy to expand its application scope.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.03.028
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
