Fabrication of novel AZ31/CeO2+h-BN hybrid surface composites using friction stir processing: Study of microstructural, tribological and mechanical behavior

Abstract

The imperative to produce lightweight-components has intensified the need for fabrication of Mg-matrix composites. This investigation addresses this exigency by using friction stir processing (FSP) as a solid-state route. This study's goal was to find out how vibration affects the tribological and mechanical properties of AZ31/CeO₂+h-BN surface composites that were made using FSP and FSVP. The attained data showed that FSVP resulted in better homogeneity of CeO₂+h-BN particles across the matrix. The findings also showed that adding vibration to FSP leads to improved hardness and increased shear punch strength (SPT), but also leads to higher wear resistance. The 43 % reduction in grain size in FSVPed composites resulted in a 16 % increase in hardness, while the SPT also improved by approximately 33 %. These changes also resulted in a 25 % decrease in wear rate and a 25 % reduction in average friction coefficient for FSVP composites compared to the FSP. These results suggest that FSVP had a great potential in the mechanical and tribological properties enhancement of AZ31Mg alloy composites.