Mechanical and tribological behaviours of aluminium matrix composites reinforced by graphene nanoplatelets

In the present study, the effects of graphene content (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 wt-%) on the mechanical and tribological properties of aluminium matrix composites were reported. The experimental results reveal that the best apparent density (2.58 ± 0.02 g cm −3 ), highest Vickers hardness (57 ± 2.5 HV), lowest mass loss (1.6 and 9.7 mg for 10 N and 40 N), and lowest wear rate (12 × 10 −5 and 18 × 10 − 5 mm 3 /Nm for 10 N and 40 N) were obtained at aluminium–0.1% graphene composite when compared with pure aluminium. The ultimate compressive strength of composites increases from 106 ± 4 to 138 ± 4 MPa with increasing graphene nanoplatelet contents. All results showed that graphene has been a very effective reinforcement and solid-lubricant material for Al matrix composites.