Wear-Resistance Performance of ZA-27 Alloys Reinforced by Rare Earth Compounds

The morphology of ZA-27 alloy reinforced by RE compounds and its wear-resistance were studied. It is found that some nodular second phases appear due to the addition of Si and RE, which can disperse in grain boundaries or between dendrite crystals so that the alloy has been refined. Energy spectrum analysis of scanning electron microscope shows that the second phases are complex compounds containing RE, Al, Zn and Si. The micro- hardness test indicates that micro-hardness values of the compounds are higher than those of the matrix. The wear-resis tance of ZA-27 alloy reinforced by RE compounds is 4 times as high as that of ZA-27 alloy and also higher than that of ZA-27 alloy containing Si phase. The impact toughness of the alloy containing RE and Si is higher than that of the alloy containing Si.