Effects of graphene content on the wear properties of aluminum matrix composites prepared by powder metallurgy route

Abstract

In this experimental work, the effect of graphene addition (GPNS) on the sliding wear properties of aluminum (Al) metal powder composite was investigated. A ball milling mixture was used to combine four different amounts of graphene (0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt%) with aluminum metal powder. The powder was compacted using a UTM machine and sintered using an electric muffle furnace. Electron microscopy (SEM), elemental electron dispersion (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the microstructure, elements, and phases of sintered Al-GPNs specimens. Mechanical properties were investigated using hardness and density. Sliding wear test against EN-32 Counter disc was conducted using pin and disc wear test. The morphology of sintered composite shows that the addition of graphene makes the microstructure homogeneous. Al-1GPNs sintered composite showed maximum hardness (55Hv) and density (2.56 g/ cm3). The addition of graphene also improved the wear and friction properties, and Al-1GPNs sintered composite exhibited minimum weight loss.