Investigation of Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Mg alloy based Hybrid Reinforced Composite Fabricated through Powder Metallurgy

Abstract

Advancements in material science have driven the rapid development of magnesium-based metal matrix composites (Mg-MMCs) to meet the growing demands of modern engineering applications. These composites offer an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, improved corrosion and wear resistance, and the ability to withstand elevated temperatures, making them ideal for high-performance applications. While pure magnesium has poor mechanical and physical properties, its limitations can be mitigated by incorporating reinforcements, such as ceramic particles in the form of fibers, whiskers, or particulates. These reinforcements greatly improve the strength, ductility, toughness, and abrasion resistance of the composites. The synergistic interaction between the magnesium matrix and reinforcing particles results in microstructural refinement and optimization of the composite s mechanical behaviour. However, challenges such as inhomogeneous distribution, poor wettability, and weak interfacial bonding between the matrix and reinforcements often arise during liquid metallurgy-based fabrication techniques. Researchers have increasingly adopted the powder metallurgy technique to address these limitations. Overall, magnesium metal matrix composites are recognized as promising candidates for advanced structural and functional applications, providing a well-balanced combination of lightweight characteristics and high mechanical integrity. In this research, hybrid composites of magnesium alloy (AZ91) reinforced with titanium carbide (TiC) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were studied. The powder metallurgy method was used to synthesize magnesium alloy-based hybrid composites. The tribological behaviour of fabricated composite samples were examined using a pin-on-disc tribotester per the ASTM G99 standard. Using the Taguchi method, the design of the experiment (DOE) was constructed. And, the L9 orthogonal array opted for tribo-performance evaluation.