Microstructure analysis, tribological correlation properties and strengthening mechanism of graphene reinforced aluminum matrix composites

Abstract

In this paper, graphene reinforced aluminum matrix composites are successfully prepared by high-energy ball milling. The results show that no graphene agglomeration is found in the mixed powder. The complex composites prepared by high energy ball milling and powder metallurgy have approximately 4–5 layers of graphene and the thickness of single-layer graphene is approximately 0.334 nm. The final experimental results confirm the formation of compound AlC3 in the microstructure, and its diffraction spot index is ($$\overline{2 }$$ 2 ¯ 00), ($$\overline{1 }$$ 1 ¯ 1$$\overline{1 }$$ 1 ¯ ) and (11$$\overline{1 }$$ 1 ¯ ). The maximum friction coefficient is 0.126, and the average friction coefficient is 0.027, suggesting good wear resistance and corrosion resistance. Additionally, the friction corrosion mechanism of the material is deeply analyzed. The results of strengthening mechanism analysis show that the main strengthening mechanism of the materials designed in this experiment is thermal mismatch strengthening. It can be concluded that the yield strength of the material calculated by the modified model is 227.75 MPa. This value is slightly lower than the calculated value of the general shear lag model (237.68 MPa). However, it is closer to the yield strength value of the actual material (211 MPa).

Research progress on ceramic nanomaterials reinforced aluminum matrix nanocomposites

“…Aluminium/alloys are widely considered as matrix materials to fabricate conventional composites and nanocomposites, due to their inherent qualities, namely light weight, good ductility, and conductivity [37]. Poor qualities such as strength, stiffness, and corrosion resistance of pure metal can be enhanced by reinforcing an appropriate micro or nano material in the matrix phase [36,43,[57][58][59]. Recently, there is a huge research interests on various nanomaterials reinforced aluminium/alloy matrix nanocomposites.…”

“…Aluminum has been reinforced with different types of ceramic or carbon based nanomaterials [7,40,[60][61][62][63]. Wang et al [43] described microstructure, tribological and mechanical properties of aluminium matrix nanocomposite which was reinforced with graphene. Nanocomposites are manufactured by high-energy ball milling assisted powder metallurgy process.…”

“…Different types of ceramic nanoparticles can be reinforced into the aluminium/alloy matrix. Some of the common ceramic nanoparticles reinforced into the aluminium domain to fabricate MMNC are alumina, silicon carbide, magnesium oxide, titanium boride, and boron nitride [38][39][40][41][42][43]. Superior properties for these ceramic nanoparticles such as excellent hardness, wear resistance and high compressive strength makes them ideal candidate to be reinforced into the aluminium matrix.…”

“…Some of key requirements for the ceramic nanoparticles to be incorporated into the aluminium matrix are: (i) low density in order to achieve lightweight composite material, (ii) temperature resistant property, (iii) chemical compatibility between aluminium matrix and ceramic nanoparticle in order to prevent dissolving nanoparticle in the melted metal and to ensure good adhesion in the metal matrix [17]. Ceramic reinforced aluminium matrix composites exhibited improved specific strength and modulus, and demonstrated excellent wear and corrosion resistant characteristics, and all these are desired material characteristics in mechanical structures due to their light weight design [43]. Degree of strengthening of metal matrix depends on type, shape, size, concentration, dispersion, distribution of nano ceramic particles in the aluminum domain [48].…”

Microstructure evolution and strengthening mechanism of A356 composites reinforced with micron and nano SiCp

“…Due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the particles and matrix, high-density dislocations are generated in the composite, which is the thermal mismatch (CTE) strengthening mechanism [29,30]. Its contribution to yield strength can be expressed by formula (4) [31]:…”