Investigation of Microstructure and Tribological behavior of WE43/nano B4C Composites Produced by Spark Plasma Sintering

Abstract

In this study, composite samples of WE43 (Mg-4Y-3RE-Zr) reinforced with nano-B4C particles in different ratios (0.5 and 2 wt.%) were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The powders were mixed in a 3-dimensional ball mill at 300 rpm. The mixed powders were then hot pressed under 35 MPa pressure at 525 °C for 6 min. XRD and FESEM-EDS instruments were used to characterize the composite samples. Microhardness and wear tests were performed to designate the mechanical properties. It was found that the highest hardness occurred in the composite sample with 2% nano-B4C composites. It was also found that tribological properties improved with the increase of nano-B4C content.