Nano-ZnO Particles’ Effect in Improving the Mechanical Response of Mg-3Al-0.4Ce Alloy
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Materials
2.2. Primary Processing
2.3. Secondary Processing
2.3.1. Pre-Extrusion
2.3.2. Extrusion
2.3.3. Post-Extrusion
2.4. Characterisation
2.4.1. Density and Porosity
2.4.2. Microstructure
2.4.3. X-ray Diffraction
2.4.4. Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
2.4.5. Microhardness
2.4.6. Tensile Test
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Density and Porosity
3.2. Microstructure/Phase Analysis
3.2.1. Grain Size Analysis
3.2.2. Microstructure Analysis
3.2.3. Phase Analysis
3.3. Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE)
3.4. Mechanical Properties
3.4.1. Microhardness
3.4.2. Tensile Properties
3.4.3. Fractography
4. Conclusions
- The processing methodology used in this study is capable of synthesizing the Mg-3Al-0.4Ce alloy and its nanocomposites with porosities restricted to ~1%.
- The addition of ZnO nanoparticles reduced the CTE of the Mg-3Al-0.4Ce alloy, resulting in more dimensionally stable nanocomposites.
- The addition of ZnO nano-particulates corresponded with the increase in the microhardness of the Mg-3Al-0.4Ce alloy. A maximum microhardness was realized in the case of the Mg-3Al-0.4Ce/2.5ZnO nanocomposite, with a value of 161 Hv.
- The addition of an increasing amount of ZnO nanoparticles led to an increase in the 0.2% offset yield strength and ultimate tensile strength, while strain to fracture remained unaffected. A maximum yield strength of 180 MPa and ultimate tensile strength of 294 MPa was achieved for the Mg-3Al-0.4Ce/2.5ZnO nanocomposite.
- These superior mechanical properties, achieved with the addition of the ZnO nanoparticles, are attributed to the uniform distribution of the secondary phases and the presence of ZnO reinforcement.
Acknowledgments
Author Contributions
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Composition | Experimental Density (g/cm3) | Theoretical Density (g/cm3) | Porosity (%) | Grain Size (µm) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mg-3Al-0.4Ce | 1.759 ± 0.013 | 1.762 | 0.201 | 6.5 ± 1.5 |
Mg-3Al-0.4Ce-1.5ZnO | 1.779 ± 0.012 (↑ 1.13%) 1 | 1.781 | 0.120 | 6.4 ± 1.5 |
Mg-3Al-0.4Ce-2ZnO | 1.783 ± 0.013 (↑ 1.36%) 1 | 1.787 | 0.235 | 6.1 ± 1.5 |
Mg-3Al-0.4Ce-2.5ZnO | 1.774 ± 0.028 (↑ 0.85%) 1 | 1.794 | 1.080 | 6.0 ± 1.6 |
Composition | CTE (µK−1) |
---|---|
Mg-3Al-0.4Ce | 25.52 ± 0.8 |
Mg-3Al-0.4Ce-1.5ZnO | 22.03 ± 1.0 |
Mg-3Al-0.4Ce-2ZnO | 24.16 ± 2.0 |
Mg-3Al-0.4Ce-2.5ZnO | 24.36 ± 0.6 |
Composition | Microhardness (Hv) | 0.2% Offset Tensile Yield Strength (MPa) | Ultimate Tensile Strength (MPa) | Fracture Strain (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mg-3Al-0.4Ce | 105 ± 4 | 144 ± 8 | 232 ± 11 | 17 ± 1 |
Mg-3Al-0.4Ce-1.5ZnO | 113 ± 3 (↑ 7.6%) 1 | 157 ± 8 (↑ 9%) 1 | 263 ± 8 (↑ 13%) 1 | 17 ± 5 |
Mg-3Al-0.4Ce-2ZnO | 144 ± 4 (↑ 37.1%) 1 | 173 ± 11 (↑ 20%) 1 | 288 ± 11 (↑ 24%) 1 | 18 ± 2 |
Mg-3Al-0.4Ce-2.5ZnO | 161 ± 5 (↑ 53.3%) 1 | 180 ± 7 (↑ 25%) 1 | 294 ± 9 (↑ 27%) 1 | 15 ± 2 |
Mg-3Al-0.2Ce [8] | - | 120 | 235 | - |
Mg-3Al-0.5Ce [8] | - | 125 | 230 | - |
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Tekumalla, S.; Farhan, N.; Srivatsan, T.S.; Gupta, M. Nano-ZnO Particles’ Effect in Improving the Mechanical Response of Mg-3Al-0.4Ce Alloy. Metals 2016, 6, 276. https://doi.org/10.3390/met6110276
Tekumalla S, Farhan N, Srivatsan TS, Gupta M. Nano-ZnO Particles’ Effect in Improving the Mechanical Response of Mg-3Al-0.4Ce Alloy. Metals. 2016; 6(11):276. https://doi.org/10.3390/met6110276
Chicago/Turabian StyleTekumalla, Sravya, Najib Farhan, Tirumalai S. Srivatsan, and Manoj Gupta. 2016. "Nano-ZnO Particles’ Effect in Improving the Mechanical Response of Mg-3Al-0.4Ce Alloy" Metals 6, no. 11: 276. https://doi.org/10.3390/met6110276