Wear Behavior of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube/AZ31 Composite Obtained by Friction Stir Processing

Abstract

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes were homogenously dispersed into a magnesium alloy (AZ31) using friction stir processing. The microstructural features, mechanical behaviors including microhardness, and wear properties were investigated. The results showed a significant improvement in wear resistance in the friction stir-processed AZ31 alloy containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes compared to that of the as-received alloy. This was attributed to its higher microhardness and lower coefficient of friction due to the presence of finer matrix grains and uniform dispersion of multiwalled carbon nanotubes.

KEY WORDS:

• Composite
• Microhardness
• Wear
• Friction Stir Processing
• MWCNT–Magnesium Alloy

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors thank the Sirjan Branch of Islamic Azad University of Iran for providing financial support of the research project entitled “Wear Behavior of Magnesium Composite Reinforced with MWCNT Processed by Friction Stir Processing.”