Investigating Sintering Behavior of the Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNPs) Reinforced Aluminum Nanocomposites Via Low Energy Solution Ball Milling

Owing to the excellent properties, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) show great reinforcing ability to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of Al nanocomposites for many automotive applications. In this work, the GNPs dispersion and reinforcing effect in Al nanocomposite was tested. Solvent dispersion via tip sonication and facile low energy ball milling (tumbling milling) using two milling speeds 200 and 300 rpm were employed to develop GNPs/Al powders. Sintering response of the GNPs/Al sintered samples wasgauged at two temperatures (550°C and 620°C). The effects of GNPs content, milling rotation speed and sintering temperature on the density, hardness and wear properties of the nanocomposite were examined. The results indicate that relative density % decreases with increasing GNPs content due to possible reagglomeration. The highest hardness of 35.6% and wear rate of 76.68% is achieved in 0.3 wt.% GNPs/Al nanocomposite processed at 300 rpm and 620°C as compared to pure Al due to uniform dispersion, higher diffusion rate at a higher temperature and effective lubrication effect.