The mechanical and tribological properties of composites of nanographene and an aluminium-metal matrix were studied, as was their corrosion behaviour, in order to develop materials suitable for use as shielding materials

Abstract

In this investigation, pitting corrosion methods were used to investigate the corrosion behaviour of nanographene oxide-reinforced aluminium-copper metal matrix composites. S1 (AL 100% + 0% Cu + 0% Nano Graphene), S2 (AL 91% + 7% Cu + 2% Nano Graphene), S3 (AL 82% + 14% Cu + 4% Nano Graphene), and S4 (AL 73% + 21% Cu + 6% Nano Graphene) were the sample compositions. Ultrasonic stir casting was utilised to produce the aluminium-copper-nanographene composites. Nanographene was analysed with BET to determine its surface area, porosity volume, etc. The effects of nanographene oxide weight fraction on the corrosion behaviour of aluminium-copper composites were investigated. The surface texture of the corroded material was evaluated with an atomic force microscope, and the hardness was measured with a Vicker's microhardness tester. The results of the experiment revealed that the corrosion rate decreased as the percentage of nanoparticles in the matrix increased up to S3 composition. The microhardness values increased as the weight fractions of reinforcements in the matrix increased. And additional mechanical tests, such as tensile, wear, and flexural, to ascertain the composites' mechanical behaviour.