The effect of Al2O3 content on tribology and corrosion properties of Mg-Al2O3 nanocomposites produced by single and double-action press

Abstract

In this study, the physical, tribological and corrosion properties of Mg matrix nanocomposite reinforcement were investigated by Al2O3 nanoparticles fabricated using the single-action press (SP) and double-action press (DP) at 300, 500, and 700 MPa pressures with different volume percentages (0, 1.5, 3, and 5%) of Al2O3 reinforcement nanoparticles. The samples were sintered in 450 °C argon gas for 2 h. The results showed an increase in the experimental density as well as green density in DP compared to SP. The experimental density of Mg-5 vol% Al2O3 nanocomposite compacted at 700 MPa by DP was achieved to be 3% higher than the experimental density of the same specimen compacted at 700 MPa by SP. Furthermore, the relative density of this sample compacted at 700 MPa by DP was achieved to be 5.5% higher than the relative density of this sample compacted at 300 MPa by SP. The wear rate of the Mg-5 vol% Al2O3 fabricated at 700 MPa by DP was achieved as 14%, 50%, and 35% lower than that of Mg-5 vol% Al2O3 sample fabricated at 700 MPa by SP and the Pure Mg compacted at 700 MPa by SP and DP, respectively. The corrosion test results showed that the corrosion rate increased with increasing the percentage of nanoparticles so that the corrosion rate of the Mg-5 vol% Al2O3 sample was achieved 520% higher than the Pure Mg fabricated at 700 MPa by DP.