The effect of the double-action pressure on the physical, mechanical and tribology properties of Mg-WO3 nanocomposites

Due to the lightness, Magnesium is one of the most applied metals in the automotive and aerospace industries. Mechanical and tribology properties of Mg and its alloys can be enhanced through the addition of reinforcement materials. In this study, the effect of double-action compaction was investigated on the relative density, hardness, compressive strength and wear behavior, of Mg-based nanocomposite reinforced with the different volume fraction of WO3 nanoparticle. The nanocomposite powders were double-action compacted at different pressures including (300, 500, 700 MPa) and then sintered in a furnace under argon gas at 450 degrees C for 1 h. Specimens with a relative density above 90% were produced through this method. Relative density increased with increasing pressure in all samples. Also, the highest relative density of the compressed Mg-1.5 vol.% WO3 sample at 700 MPa pressure was about 4.14% higher than that of the compressed same sample at pressure (300 MPa). The highest hardness was obtained for Mg-5 vol.% WO3, which is 29% more than pure Mg. In addition, the compressive strength of Mg-1.5 vol.% WO3 nanocomposite was about 45% higher than that of the pure Mg. An Improvement in strength was obtained due to strengthening mechanisms such as the Orowan mechanism and an increase in dislocation density due to the thermal mismatch phenomenon created duration compaction. Moreover, the lowest wear rate for Mg-5 vol.% WO3 nanocomposite was 3.82 (10(-6) x cm(3)/N.m) which was 67% higher than pure Mg. The SEM analysis of worn surfaces of the specimens showed that the adhesion, abrasive, and delamination were the dominant wear mechanisms. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier B.V.