Assessment of mechanical and tribological behavior of Mg-4Zn-1RE-0.7Zr alloy: Novel mixture of Si3N4/TiC/MoS2 utilizing casting technique

Abstract

In the modern era, manufacturers aim for their parts to possess a sleek finish and increased durability to ensure continued functionality. Both the automotive and aerospace industries are actively seeking new materials and methodologies to enhance the surface quality of components during the preparation process and make the most of available resources. Employing casting, advanced techniques, and new materials is crucial for achieving this goal. Industries commonly utilize alloys and composite materials in the production of their components. This study focuses on magnesium composite Mg-4Zn-1RE-0.7Zr alloy to find the influence of varying three different reinforcement particles on mechanical properties and wear rate. An attempt was made to choose a constant 5% Si3N4 as the primary reinforcement and 2.5% to 7.5% of TiC/MoS2 as the secondary reinforcement, respectively. The samples of magnesium hybrid composites are prepared using a centrifugal casting process. The ZE 41 alloy/5% (TiC-MoS2)/5%Si3N4 has a high tensile strength of 942 MPa. In addition, 5% TiC/5% MoS2 with 5% Si3N4 composite has enhanced hardness, which is beneficial for transmission in aircraft like Boeing 727 and die-casting fittings in automobile applications.