Influence of HA and Environmental Factors to the Damping Performance of HA/Mg-3Zn-0.5Zr Composites

Vibration and noise are the dangers for equipment, human health and environment. Developing of a new Mg matrix composite with high damping performance and high strength rate has been acknowledged as an important approach for the reduction of vibrations and prevention of noise. In this paper, xHA/Mg-3Zn-0.5Zr (x=0.5wt.%, 1wt.%, 1.5wt.%) composites were prepared by vacuum induction melting and hot extruding. The microstructure and damping performance were observed and measured using an optical microscope and a dynamic thermomechanical analysis apparatus (DMA), respectively. The influence of HA and environmental factors (temperature, frequency and strain amplitude) on the damping performance of HA/Mg-3Zn-0.5Zr composites were studied. The results showed that the damping performance of HA/Mg-3Zn-0.5Zr composites increased with increasing HA content and strain amplitude. The damping mechanism was in line with the G-L theory and interface damping theory. The damping values were strongly amplified at 150-300°C. The plot of damping versus temperature showed a peak for the Mg-3Zn-0.5Zr-1HA composite at 235°C. The low frequency damping values of xHA/Mg-3Zn-0.5Zr were higher than the high frequency damping values. It is suggested that the change of damping by a variety of external factors is due to the presence of different dominant damping mechanism at different conditions. Furthermore, it was found that at increased HA content, the grain size of HA/Mg-3Zn-0.5Zr composites decreased and the tensile strength and elongation of HA/Mg-3Zn-0.5Zr composites improved. This work will be beneficial for the study of Mg based joint implant materials with high vibration damping performance.