Microstructure Characterization and Wear Behavior of New ZK60 Alloy Reinforced with 5-10% SiC and 5-10% B₄C Particles

In this study, the researchers have attempted to reinforce ZK60 alloys with 5% SiC, 10% SiC, 5% B4C, 10% B4C and 5%SiC + 5%B4C microparticles and investigated the dry wear behavior of these composites. The reinforced composites were produced by the stirred casting method under the atmosphere of SF6. The high-temperature oxidation tendency of Mg and B elements can cause the oxidized-unsuccessful product in the stirred casting process. Therefore, the researchers used the semi-solid temperature stirring method in production as a new solution. The reinforced composites were homogenized at 420 degrees C for 24 hours and extruded at a rate of 2.25. Following the production process, all samples underwent microstructural characterization analyses, hardness tests, compression tests and dry wear tests. Comparative analysis was done between the results of unreinforced ZK60 alloy and composites from compression and wear tests. This study's results reveal a superior enhancement; the addition of 5% SiC increased the compressive strength of ZK60 alloy by 15%, while the addition of 5% B4C increased by 26%. Furthermore, adding the 5%SiC reinforcement reduced the wear rate by 4.3%, and the 5% B4C reinforcement reduced the wear rate by 11.1%.