Effect of SiC coated GNP on microstructure and mechanical properties of pressureless sintered SS316L composites

Abstract

In this research, an attempt was made to reinforce Silicon Carbide (SiC) Coated Graphene Nano Platelets (SGNP) in SS316L composites through a pressureless sintering technique. By reinforcing xSGNP (x: 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 wt %) into the SS316L matrix material it would be consolidated and sintered in a vacuum. Further microstructural studies and mechanical tests will be carried out. The investigation reveals the effectiveness of SGNP reinforcement in improving the mechanical properties of SS316L composites. The microstructural and elemental composition analysis of composites was carried out by an optical microscope, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive XRay Spectroscopy (EDS). The mechanical properties of SS316L/xSGNP composites were evaluated by using Vickers micro-hardness tester and Pin-on disc wear apparatus. The fine grain structure was observed with the reinforcement of SS316L-SGNP. The hardness of composites drastically increased by 110% compared to monolithic SS316L when increasing the weight percentage of SGNP to 0.5Wt %. The wear rate of 0.5wt % SGNP dropped to 55% compared with SS316L.

Enhanced Wear and Corrosion Performance of Stainless Steel 316L with Addition of Different Weight Percentages of GNP

“…Nonetheless, raising the GNP content beyond 0.5 wt.% causes agglomeration and grain coarsening of austenite, as published in the authors' previous work [12].…”

“…This film is very soft and that reduces the contact between the pin and counterbody, which further lowers the COF. The wear rate increased at 0.75 wt.% GNP due to the coarser grain structure, which was explained in work [12].…”

“…The effect of different GNP wt.% additions to SS316L was presented in our previous publication [12]. However, the wear and corrosion characteristics of SS316L/GNP composites were not explored.…”