Wear Behavior on Magnesium Reinforced with Nano Alumina Particulates

The present study explores the wear properties of Mg composites with different amounts of nano- alumina particles (up to 1.4 vol. percent). Tests are carried out on wear device with a constant load of 10N, at sliding speeds range between 1 to 10 m/s compared to EN31 steel disks. Magnesium metal matrix composites reinforced by 1.4 volume percent of alumina particles (nano – sized) possess mechanical properties equivalent or even superior to alike composites of high level micron reinforcement. The outcomes reveals that the introduction of nano powder in various proportions influences the increment of wear performance of magnesium alloy and shows better wear performance at both the speeds by adding 1.4 volume % nano Al2O3 to the pure Mg and other Mg- Al2O3 composites. Due to the presence of Al2O3 as reinforcement for lower and higher sliding speeds, the improvement if found in wear property. The enhancement in wear property of the nano- composites is due to the increased hardness and strength with the nano- alumina particles presence in matrix. Initially there is increase in porosity by the addition of nano alumina to magnesium and later decreased gradually by inceasing the nano alumina percentage. Magnesium nano alumina composites can be considered as an excellent material because of better wear components are of major importance, mainly used in the aerospace and automotive engineering applications.