Mechanical and Tribological Behavior of Mg-Matrix Composites Manufactured by Stir Casting

In the recent decades, magnesium matrix composites present a plenty of applications to automotive, marine and aerospace industries. In this work, AZ31B is selected as Mg matrix material and hard Tungsten carbide (WC) particles as reinforcement material. Mg/WC composites reinforced with different weight proportions (0, 5, 10 and 15 wt.%) were made through stir casting method. The worn surface of manufactured Mg/WC composites and base Mg material were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The wear test results denoted that the AZ31B/15 wt% WC composites have excellent tribological behaviour when compared to the base magnesium matrix AZ31B alloy. The yield strength, flexural strength, tensile strength and micro-hardness of the manufactured composites are improved by increasing the WC content. SEM images reveal the homogeneous distribution of WC particles throughout the Mg matrix.