Magnesium-based composite by nano-nucleation of β-Mg17Al12 using spark plasma sintering route for advanced structural application

Abstract

The influence of nano AlN on the microstructural evolution, mechanical (nanohardness, elastic modulus, microhardness, tensile, and yield strength), and tribological performance were examined. The outcome of the research suggested that the AlN inclusion at varying fraction have a direct connection to the enhancement of the investigated properties and a maximum result was achieved by the MgAZ91D-12 wt%AlN nanocomposite. The scanning electron microscope shows the nucleation and dissolution of the dominant β-Mg17Al12 found in the monolithic MgAZ91D following the addition of nano-AlN. Maximum microhardness of 84.0 ± 0.21 HV, nanohardness of 2.2 ± 0.037 GPa, the elastic modulus of 58.333 ± 0.26 GPa, elastic recovery (We/Wt) of 0.228, elastic strain to failure (H/Er) of 0.040, yield pressure (H3/Er2) of 0.0035 GPa, and the lowest plasticity index (Wp/Wt) of 0.7362 were achieved by MgAZ91D-12 wt%AlN. The wear rate of the sintered composite increases with the increase in the load applied but decreases with an increase in the percentage weight fraction of the nano AlN. The coefficient of friction result is observed to be high in unreinforced alloy and decreases as a function of the nano inclusion and the applied load.