Effect of SiO₂ nanoparticles as lubricating oil additives on the cold-rolling of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheet

Abstract

Magnesium alloy sheets were processed by cold rolling without lubrication and with SiO₂ nanolubricant so as to investigate cold rolling performance by measuring rolling force as well as the surface roughness of the sheets. A series of ball on disc tests without lubrication and with SiO₂ nanolubricant conditions were carried out to simulate the contact and sliding during the cold rolling process. The results indicate that the SiO₂ nanolubricant effectively reduced the rolling force and improved the surface quality of sheets by SiO₂ nanolubricant during cold rolling process. The excellent cold-rolling performances of AZ31 Mg alloy with SiO₂ nanolubricant were attributed to the friction-reducing and the anti-friction mechanism was based on the deposition of nanoparticles on the magnesium alloy surfaces.

Keywords:

• SiO₂ nanolubricant
• Magnesium alloys
• Cold-rolling
• Surface roughness
• Tribological properties