Fabrication and Characterization of Ceramic Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites by Powder Metallurgy Method

Aluminum based metal matrix composites are frequently used in automotive, aircraft, space, automotive, agricultural and building industries due to their easy shaping, good heat and electrical conductivity, low density, high strength and toughness. In these composite structures, graphene has begun to use as a reinforcement element since 2008. In this study, graphene reinforced aluminum composites with various graphene addition (0.1wt.%, 0.3wt.%, 0.5wt.%) were fabricated by powder metallurgy method. Vickers hardness, experimental density and wear behavior of fabricated composites were investigated. The best density and hardness value were obtained at 0.1wt.% graphene reinforcement. It was determined that the friction coefficient between the fabricated composites and stainless steel decreased with graphene addition. The results show that graphene is a good solid lubricant.