Understanding the anti-wear mechanism of SiCp/WE43 magnesium matrix composite.

A detailed electron microscopy study was performed to investigate the wear mechanism of SiCp/WE43 magnesium matrix composite. The non-reinforced WE43 matrix alloy underwent serious plastic deformation during the sliding wear. The accumulated straining induced the formation of brittle delaminating tribolayer resulting in high wear rate of 4.73 ± 0.05 × 10−3 mm3 N−1 · m−1 and unstable friction coefficient of 0.49–0.88. Addition of SiCp into matrix alloy greatly improved its bearing capacity and wear performance. The hard SiCp effectively inhibited the fatigue crack propagation and suppressed the formation of brittle delaminating tribolayer. Lowering friction coefficient of ~0.38 and wear rate of 0.89 ± 0.07 × 10−3 mm3 N−1 · m−1 were found in the SiCp/WE43 composite. These current findings provided a comprehensive understanding for the anti-wear mechanism of SiCp reinforced magnesium matrix composite. • The SiCp/WE43 composite was fabricated by stirring casting and hot extrusion. • The WE43 matrix alloy showed unstable friction coefficient and high wear rate. • Lowering friction coefficient and wear rate was achieved in SiCp/WE43 composite. • The anti-wear resistance mechanism of SiCp/WE43 composite was investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]