Nano-tribological behavior of graphene nanoplatelet-reinforced magnesium matrix nanocomposites

The corrosion resistance and wear resistance of metallic biomaterials are critically important for orthopedic hard-tissue replacement applications because the lack of such properties not only adversely affects their mechanical integrity but also allows the release of wear debris into the human body.In this study,the potential of zirconium(Zr)as an alloying element and graphene nanoplatelets(GNPs)as a nano-reinforcement material were investigated in relation to improving the tribological performance of pure magnesium(Mg).The GNPs-reinforced Mg matrix nanocomposites(MNCs)were fabricated using powder metallurgy.Results indicate that additions of 0.5 wt.%Zr and0.1 wt.%GNPs to Mg matrices significantly improved the wear resistance by 89%and 92%at 200μN load,60%and 80%at 100μN load,and 94%and 93%at 50μN load,respectively,as compared to the wear resistance of pure Mg.The wear depth and coefficient of friction of the MNC containing 0.5 wt.%Zr and 0.1 wt.%GNPs(Mg0.5 Zr0.1 GNPs MNC)were considerably reduced as compared to pure Mg and Mg0.5 Zr.Our results demonstrate that the Mg0.5 Zr0.1 GNPs MNC is promising for orthopedic applications in relation to its excellent tribological performance.

Magnesium matrix composite reinforced by nanoparticles-A review

Significant progress has been made in magnesium-based composites during recent decades,especially for the appearance of magnesium matrix composite reinforced by nanoparticles.The nanoparticles added not only exhibit a good strengthening effect,but also maintain the initial toughness of the matrix,effectively balancing the contradiction between the strength and plasticity in the traditional magnesium matrix composites.The magnesium matrix nanocomposites with excellent mechanical properties have pushed the development of magnesium matrix composites to a new stage.However,it is very difficult to disperse the nanoparticles in metal melt especially in magnesium melt which is different from other metal melts and dangerous during the cast processing.This means that the preparation of magnesium matrix nanocomposite is extremely challenging.Further,the magnesium matrix nanocomposites possess a distinctive characteristic in deformation behavior,strengthening and toughening mechanism due to their special size effect of nanoparticles.Accordingly,this review will focus on the new preparation technologies,deformation behavior,mechanical properties and strengthening and toughening mechanisms.The potential applications,development trends and future research ideas of magnesium matrix nanocomposite are also prospected.©2020 Published by Elsevier B.V.on behalf of Chongqing University.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of TiC nanoparticle-reinforced Mg−Zn−Ca matrix nanocomposites processed by combining multidirectional forging and extrusion

TiC nanoparticle-reinforced Mg−4Zn−0.5Ca matrix nanocomposites were processed by combining multidirectional forging(MDF)and extrusion(EX).The grain size of the nanocomposite after MDF+EX multi-step deformation was significantly decreased compared with that processed only by MDF.The average size of the recrystallized grains gradually increased after EX with increasing the number of MDF passes at 270℃.However,the grain size significantly decreased by MDF processing at 310℃.Both fine and coarse MgZn2 phases appeared in the(MDF+EX)-processed nanocomposites,and their volume fractions gradually increased with increasing the number of MDF passes before EX.Ultrahigh tensile properties(yield strength of^404 MPa,ultimate tensile strength of^450.3 MPa and elongation of^5.2%)were obtained in the nanocomposite after three MDF passes at 310℃ followed by EX.This was attributed to the refinement of the recrystallized grains,together with the improved Orowan strengthening provided by the precipitated MgZn2 particles that were generated by MDF+EX multi-step deformation.

Effect of nano-sized Al2O3 reinforcing particles on uniaxial and high cycle fatigue behaviors of hot-forged AZ31B magnesium alloy

The effect of hot-forging process was investigated on microstructural and mechanical properties of AZ31 B alloy and AZ31 B/1.5 vol.%Al2 O3 nanocomposite under static and cycling loading. The as-cast alloy and composite were firstly subjected to a homogenization heat treatment at 450 ℃ and then an open-die forging at 450 ℃. The results indicated that the presence of reinforcing particles led to grain refinement and improvement of dynamic recrystallization. The forging process was more effective to eliminate the porosity in the cast alloy workpiece. Microhardness of the forged composite was increased by up to 80% and 16%, in comparison with those of the cast and forged alloy samples, respectively. Ultimate tensile strength and maximum tensile strain of the composite were improved by up to 45% and 23%, compared with those of the forged alloy in similar regions. These enhancements were respectively 50% and 37% in the compression test. The composite exhibited a fatigue life improvement in the region with low applied strain;however, a degradation was observed in the high applied strain region. Unlike AZ31 B samples, tensile, compressive and high cycle fatigue behaviors of the composite showed less sensitivity to the applied strain, which can be attributed to the amount of porosity in the samples before and after the hot-forging.

Effect of extrusion temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of a low-alloying and ultra-high strength Mg-Zn-Ca-Mn matrix composite containing trace TiC nanoparticles

Mechanical properties of microalloying Mg-2.2Zn-1.8Ca-0.5Mn(wt%)matrix composites reinforced by 0.5 wt%TiC nanoparticles before and after extrusion were investigated based on the detailed microstructural analysis.A uniform distribution of TiC nanoparticles was realized in the nanocomposite by the method of ultrasonic-assisted semisolid stirring.The morphology of eutectic Ca2Mg6Zn3 phases changed from plate-like in the free TiC nanoparticles region to lamellar in the dense TiC nanoparticles region for the as-cast nanocomposite.Both the grain structure and precipitates were obviously refined as the extrusion temperature decreased from 350 to 270℃.The nanocomposite exhibited excellent tensile yield strength(352-428 MPa)which was governed by the extrusion temperature.The grain refinement strengthening with the contribution ratio of^80%to this strength increment was much higher relative to thermal expansion effect,Orowan strengthening and dislocation strengthening.Ultrafine recrystallized grain structure with a substantial of ne precipitates appeared in the nanocomposite extruded at 270℃.The refined grain structure was not only due to dynamic recrystallization,but also the synergistic pinning effect of nano-TiCp,precipitated MgZn2 and α-Mn particles.The tensile toughness value of nanocomposite after extrusion improved with increasing the extrusion temperature.Massive micro-cracks formed along the remnant coarse Ca2Mg6Zn3 led to the structural failure during tension.

Deformation and failure behavior of heterogeneous Mg/SiC nanocomposite under compression

The heterogeneous magnesium(Mg) matrix nanocomposite with dispersed soft phase exhibits high strength and toughness. Herein, the deformation behavior and failure process were investigated to reveal the unique mechanical behavior of the heterogeneous microstructure under compression. The extensive plastic deformation is accompanied by the flattening and tilting of the soft phase, inhibiting strain localization and leading to strain hardening. Moreover, a stable crack multiplication process is activated, which endows high damage tolerance to the heterogeneous Mg matrix nanocomposites. The final failure of the composite is caused by crack coalescence in the shear plane along a tortuous path. The presence of dispersed soft phases within the hard matrix induces a noticeable change in mechanical response. Especially,the malleability of the heterogeneous Mg matrix nanocomposite is two and ten times higher than that of pure Mg and the homogeneous Mg matrix nanocomposite, respectively. The current study provides a novel strategy to break the trade-off between strength and toughness in metal matrix nanocomposites.