The Effect of Sintering on the Microstructure, Hardness, and Tribological Behavior of Aluminum–Graphene Nanoplatelet Powder Composites

• Published in: Powder metallurgy and metal ceramics 2018-09, Vol.57 (5-6), p.265-271
• Main Authors: Çavdar, U., Akkurt, O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum; Analysis; Ceramics; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cold isostatic pressing; Cold pressing; Composites; Diamond pyramid hardness; Glass; Graphene; Graphite; Hardness (Materials); Materials Science; Mechanical properties; Metallic Materials; Nanocomposites; Nanostructured Materials; Natural Materials; Particulate composites; Powders (Particulate matter); Sintering; Sintering (powder metallurgy); Surface roughness; Tribology; Weight loss
• ISSN: 1068-1302; 1573-9066
• DOI: 10.1007/s11106-018-9978-9

In this study, aluminum and graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) powders were mixed in different ratios and sintered by the conventional method. The powder mixtures were stirred for 2 h at a speed of 35 rpm in a V-type mixer to obtain a homogeneous dispersion. The nanocomposite powder mixtures were pressed by the CIP (Cold Isostatic Pressing) method at a pressure of 400 MPa. Sintering was carried out at 620°C for 1 h under argon gas. The density, surface roughness, weight loss, and Vickers hardness of the nanocomposites were evaluated. SEM, EDX, and XRD analyses were performed and the obtained results were examined. The effect of the graphene addition to aluminum was evaluated, and the optimum contribution of 0.8 wt.% GNP has been determined.