Comparative Study on Dry and Bio-Corrosive Wear Behavior of Mg-xAl-3Zn Alloys (x = 0.5-1-2-3 wt.%)

• Published in: Journal of materials engineering and performance 2022, Vol.31 (1), p.613-621
• Main Authors: Koç, Erkan, Incesu, Alper, Saud, Amir N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Corrosion and Coatings; Engineering Design; Materials Science; Quality Control; Reliability; Safety and Risk; Tribology
• ISSN: 1059-9495; 1544-1024
• DOI: 10.1007/s11665-021-06144-x

In this study, Mg-xAl-3Zn alloys (x=0.5-1-2-3 wt.%) were produced by the permanent mold casting method. Microstructural characterization of alloys was done with the help of optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Dry and bio-corrosive wear behaviors of alloys were investigated comparatively. Depending on the amount of Al in the alloys, the intermetallic phases were differentiated. Mg 17 Al 12 phase was only observed in Mg-3Al-3Zn alloy distributed along the grain boundary as a continuous or semicontinuous network. The Mg-3Al-3Zn alloy hardness value was about 61.60±4.23 HV and approximately 30% higher than the other alloys. Dry wear and bio-corrosive (in simulated body fluid (SBF)) wear performances of the alloys were also compared. The abrasive wear mechanism was evident in dry ambient wear due to the intermetallic phases in the structure. Still, the liquid's lubrication effect is much more dominant in the bio-corrosive wear tests carried out in SBF. While Mg-3Al-3Zn wear rate was the lowest in dry wear, it was determined to be the highest in bio-corrosive wear for all applied load conditions. It had been understood that a large amount of Mg 17 Al 12 phase in the structure caused such a result.