Wear behavior and tribo-surface characteristics of nano magnesium composites

A nano magnesium composite was synthesized with the addition of 5.6 wt.% of titanium, 3 wt.% of aluminum and 2.5 wt.% of nano boron carbide particles through the disintegrated metal deposition process. To validate the metallurgical features of the synthesized magnesium composite, the samples were exposed to X-ray diffraction study and scanning electron microscopic analysis with dispersive spectroscopy analysis. Wear behavior of the nano magnesium composite was studied through pin-on-disc dry sliding wear experiments by changing the load and sliding velocity over a sliding distance of 3000 m. Further, wear rate of the produced material was analyzed for varied wear parameters. Wear behavior of the magnesium composite revealed an adverse effect with an increased load and a positive effect with increased sliding velocity. The microscopic analysis of the worn surface and the collected debris revealed the characteristics of the wear surface of the nano magnesium composite. Adhesion, abrasion, delamination, oxidation and thermal softening were the mechanisms observed in the post-failure analysis.