Improving wear performance of Mg-4Zn alloy using Si3N4 nanoparticle reinforcements: Mass loss analysis

Anand Natarajan; Ramu Kumar Verma; Jayaprakash Reddy K; Bijulal D; Vijayan K; Prasanth Prabhakaran

doi:10.14513/actatechjaur.00794

Authors

Anand Natarajan Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering Trivandrum, Engineering College P.O, Sreekaryam, Thiruvananathapuram, Kerala, 695016, India / / APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Thiruvananathapuram, CET Campus, Thiruvananthapuram Kerala, 695016, India https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3356-9946
Ramu Kumar Verma ISRO Inertial Systems Unit, Vattiyoorkavu PO, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695013, India https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0824-5974
Jayaprakash Reddy K ISRO Inertial Systems Unit, Vattiyoorkavu PO, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695013, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6540-141X
Bijulal D APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, Thiruvananathapuram, CET Campus, Thiruvananthapuram Kerala, 695016, India / / Department of Mechanical Engineering, Government Engineering College Barton Hill, Kunnukuzhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695035, India
Vijayan K ISRO Inertial Systems Unit, Vattiyoorkavu PO, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695013, India https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2037-2720
Prasanth Prabhakaran ISRO Inertial Systems Unit, Vattiyoorkavu PO, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695013, India https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0940-595X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14513/actatechjaur.00794

Keywords:

Mg-4Zn, Si3N4, wear, Nanocomposite

Abstract

Si₃N₄ ceramic possesses superior wear properties and high-temperature properties. This research hypothesizes that very small quantities (0.23, 0.45, and 0.67 wt.%) of the biocompatible, bio-ceramic, Si₃N₄ nanoparticles (of 15-30 nanometre average particle size) added as reinforcements to the lightweight, biofriendly Mg-4Zn alloy matrix would improve the wear properties of the Mg-4Zn alloy. Hypothesis verification was done using design of experiments (DoE)-based dry sliding wear studies. Mg-4Zn alloy and Mg-4Zn/xSi₃N₄ (x=0.23, 0.45, and 0.67 wt.% nano-Si₃N₄) nanocomposites were the pin materials, and SS316Ti was used as the disc (counterface) material. Load and sliding speed were also varied. A regression model for predicting the mass loss was obtained using Design-Expert software. Worn surface analysis revealed that abrasion was the dominating mechanism of wear in all tested conditions. Adhesion wear was also observed at mild levels. The addition of 0.23, 0.45, and 0.67 wt.% nano-Si₃N₄ to Mg-4Zn alloy refined the grain size by 10.58, 34.32, and 63.94 %, respectively, thereby improving the microhardness by 8.11, 19.54, and 38.67 %, respectively, and reducing the mass loss up to 8.3%. The microstructural studies indicated α-Mg grains surrounded by Mg-Zn intermetallic at the grain boundaries.

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