Investigation of the high temperature dry sliding wear behavior of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced aluminum matrix composites

Abstract

In this study, graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) with a thickness of 50-100 nm have been utilized to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of A360 alloy due to their extraordinary mechanical properties and solid lubricant nature. For the investigation of tribological properties, ball-on disc tests were carried out at various temperatures including room temperature (RT), 150 °C, and 300 °C. According to the hardness and ball-on-disc test results, the nanocomposite samples reinforced with GNPs exhibited improved hardness and wear resistance. The improvement in the wear behavior of nanocomposites was referred to the temporarily formed solid lubricant film of harder GNPs during the wear, and hence coefficient of friction (COF) and volume loss were considerably reduced. Abrasive-adhesive, oxidative, and mild-to-severe were found to be main wear mechanisms at RT, 150 °C, and 300 °C, respectively. Overall, the results show that the nanocomposites fabricated by casting method combined with mechanical stirring and ultrasonication have promising wear performance, especially at elevated temperatures. This may suggest that these developed materials could be potential candidates to be used in the engineering applications requiring high temperature wear performance. © The Author(s) 2020.