A study on wear and machinability of AZ series (AZ01-AZ91) cast magnesium alloys

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of aluminum (Al%) amount found in AZ series magnesium alloys on hardness, wear resistance, and machinability. The amount of zinc (1 % Zn) used in the experiment was kept fixed, and changes on hardness, wear resistance, and machinability were analyzed depending on the increase in the amount of Al%. To this end, AZ series magnesium alloys (AZ01, AZ21, AZ41, AZ61 and AZ91) (that includes aluminum at rates ranging from 0 up to 9 %) were used in the study. It was observed in AZ series magnesium alloys that intermetallic phase in microstructure (β-Mg17Al12) affected hardness, wear resistance, and machinability of the alloy depending on the increase in Al amount. It was established that Mg17Al12 intermetallic phase in the microstructure of AZ91 alloy increased the machinability of the alloy.