Experimental investigation of wear and microstructure properties of Mg-Zn mechanical alloys produced by powder metallurgy

In this study, 5 different MgZn alloy ratios were determined by using CCD experimental design method and their wear resistance, mechanical and microstructure properties were investigated experimentally and statistically. According to the CCD method, the alloying of Zn element with magnesium, mechanical, microstructure properties and abrasion values of 1.46%, 3.1%, 7.05%, 11%, 12.64% alloy ratios and sintering ranging from 439oC to 510oC temperatures were determined. Powder particles were alloyed by mechanical alloying method, alloy materials were hot pressed by powder metallurgy method and sintered. The materials were subjected to compression test, pin on disc abrasion test, Vickers hardness test, microstructures were examined and pore ratios were determined and evaluated. The CCD method has been successfully applied in the design of the experimental method for the evaluation of the effect of changes in MgZn alloy ratios on mechanical properties. The changes in alloy ratios were found to be effective on the test results, but the determined sintering temperature change was ineffective. It has been found that the abrasion resistance increases up to about 7% Zn despite the negative effect of the pore ratio, the structure is composed of Mg / (Mg-Zn) microstructure, and in this case it is found to have a positive effect on abrasion resistance. When the ratio of Zn exceeds about 7%, it is seen that there are independent Zn particles in the microstructure and the structure is formed as Mg / (Mg-Zn) / Zn triple phase. It was observed that the porosity ratio increased with independent Zn increase in the structure and the abrasion resistance improved along with the decrease. It has been clearly demonstrated in the test results that this change affects the compression strengths similarly.