The effect of processing parameters on the wear properties Al6061/GNP composites produced by hot pressing

Abstract

In the present study, the effect of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) reinforcement in Aluminum material at different rates was investigated on tribological properties. In this scope, the samples were produced by the hot press under determining different production parameters. The wear characteristics of the composites were determined using the ball-on disc wear test method. Ball on disc wear test showed that the Al6061/GNPs composite which was produced with the addition of 1 wt% GNPs, a sintering temperature of 600 °C, and a sintering time of 45 min, had the best wear resistance. Thanks to the GNPs reinforcement, a 61 % reduction in wear rate was achieved when compared to the non-reinforced Al material. The effects of the production parameters on the friction coefficient were investigated using the Taguchi method and it was determined that the most important parameter affecting the friction coefficients of the composites was the wt % GNPs addition. The results showed that the addition of GNPs is an important reinforcing material that reduces the wear rate when added to the structure at certain rates.