Effects of Silicon (Si) and Zinc (Zn) Addition on machinability and wear resistance behaviours of AZ21 and AS21 Magnesium alloys

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of zinc (Zn) and silicon (Si) in AZ91 (2% Al, 1% Zn) and AS21 (2% Al, 1% Si) magnesium alloys on wear resistance and machinability. In magnesium alloys, the effect of hardness, wear resistance and machinability was investigated by establishing the impact of 1% zinc (in AZ21) and 1% silicon (in AS21) within the microstructure in AZ21 and AS21 alloys with aluminum amount less than 3%. It was found that the intermetallic phases found in the microstructure within the alloy had an effect on hardness, wear resistance and machinability.