Fatigue life prediction of aluminum-graphene nanocomposites: Application to high-capacity conductors

Abstract

Fatigue fracture of aluminum wires due to Aeolian vibrations (high-cycle fatigue) is one of the severe problems in the high-capacity conductors of the power transmission lines. On the other hand, previous studies have shown that graphene can significantly increase aliminum’s mechanical and electrical properties. In this regard, this research has studied the high-cycle fatigue (HCF) of Al-0.5 wt% GNPs composite using experimental methods. Quasi static and high-cycle fatigue tests were performed at room and elevated temperatures and material parameters of the Basquin's equation were derived. Afractographicanalysis of the fracturedsamples was carried out using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The results showed that composite has better hardness and tensile strength than pure aluminum, while its elongation was decreased. At room temperatures, the fatigue life of the composite was increased by 234 % and 44 % at low and high stress levels, respectively. While at elevated temperatures, 146 % and 130 % increase in fatigue life were obtained at low and high stress levels, respectively.