Vibration and Damping Behavior of Si3N4 Reinforced Magnesium Alloy Composite for Structural Applications

Abstract

For a varsity of application, materials are demanded with high damping that can lower fundamental natural frequencies, and composites offer widespread options towards designing space structure with lightweight which are controlled effectively. Damping fixtures were made with lightweight composites, for the purpose of transporting aerospace components from one place to another. This present work investigates the damping characteristics of lightweight magnesium-based composite (AZ31+x%Si3N4), subjected to vibration. The composite cantilever beam is excited using an impact hammer and the vibrations generated are recorded using a data acquisition system. The damping properties are related to the density and microstructure of the fabricated composites. Results show that the damping factor changes with higher reinforcement of Si3N4 ceramic particulates and the microstructure obtained during casting have an influence on the damping performance.