Abstract
This research work aims at investigating the influence of a fixed content of silicon nitride (Si3N4) and varied contents of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the physical and mechanical properties of Al-Si3N4-GNPs composites. The composites were fabricated by a microwave-assisted powder metallurgy route. The Si3N4 concentration was fixed at (5 wt.%) while the GNPs concentration was varied between (0 wt.%) to (1.5 wt.%) in the Al-Si3N4-GNPs. The structural analysis indicates the formation of phase pure materials with high crystallinity. The microstructural analysis confirmed the presence of the Si3N4 and GNPs showing enhanced agglomeration with the increasing amount of GNPs. Moreover, the surface roughness of the synthesized composites increases with an increasing amount of GNPs reaching its maximum value (RMS = 65.32 nm) at 1.5 wt.% of GNPs. The Al-Si3N4-GNPs composites exhibit improved microhardness and promising load-indentation behavior during nanoindentation when compared to pure aluminum (Al). Moreover, Al-Si3N4-GNPs composites demonstrate higher values of compressive yield strength (CYS) and ultimate compressive strength (UCS) when compared to pure Al despite showing a declining trend with an increasing amount of GNPs in the matrix. Finally, a shear mode of fracture is prevalent in Al-Si3N4-GNPs composites under compression loading.
Highlights
This research work aims at investigating the influence of a fixed content of silicon nitride (Si3N4) and varied contents of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the physical and mechanical properties of Al-Si3N4-GNPs composites
The density of the prepared composites decreases with the increasing amount of GNPs, while the porosity follows an opposite trend
The surface roughness of the AlSi3N4-GNPs composites increases with the exhibit promising hardness as compared to pure Al
Summary
This research work aims at investigating the influence of a fixed content of silicon nitride (Si3N4) and varied contents of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the physical and mechanical properties of Al-Si3N4-GNPs composites. The composites were fabricated by a microwave-assisted powder metallurgy route. The Si3N4 concentration was fixed at (5 wt.%) while the GNPs concentration was varied between (0 wt.%) to (1.5 wt.%) in the Al-Si3N4-GNPs. The structural analysis indicates the formation of phase pure materials with high crystallinity.
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