Wear and Mechanical Behaviour of Magnesium AZ31 alloy Reinforced with MoS₂ through Friction Stir Processing for Aerospace Applications

Abstract

Friction Stir Processing (FSP), a solid-state processing technique employed to modify the microstructure, is based on the principles of friction stir welding. FSP is one of the most promising techniques for the production of surface composites. In this investigation, AZ31 magnesium alloy is reinforced with molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) through a friction stir processing method. Before and after the fabrication of the surface composites the wear tests were conducted by varying the condition of sliding load (25 N & 35 N), sliding distance (1 km & 2 km), and sliding velocity (1 m/s & 2 m/s). Hardness values were measured by using the Brinell hardness tester. Both hardness and wear tests were conducted as per the ASTM standards. After reinforcement, composite material enhances hardness values. The wear rate also reduces as MoS2 acts as a solid lubricant material.