Metal Matrix Composite Fabricated from Electrospun PAN, EGNS/PAN Nanofibers and AL 5049 Alloy by Using Friction Stir Processing

Abstract

This work is an attempt to fabricate aluminum (AA 5049) matrix composites (AMCs) reinforced with electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers and consisting of exfoliated graphite nanosheets (EGNS/PAN) by utilizing friction stir processing (FSP) to improve the mechanical characteristics of AA 5049. PAN and EGNS/PAN nanofibers were fabricated using the electrospinning technique. The average diameter of the electrospun PAN nanofibers is 195 ± 57 nm, and after EGNS incorporation is 180 ± 68nm. The incorporation of nanofiber reinforcement can enhance the mechanical characteristics of AA5049. The mechanical characteristics of AA5049 can be enhanced by the procedure of incorporating nanofibers, making them an ideal choice for applications in the automotive and aerospace industries. PAN and EGNS/PAN nanofiber reinforcement enhanced the hardness to 89 and 98 Hv, respectively. Also, the ultimate tensile strength was raised to 291 MPa and 344 MPa, respectively.