A facile treatment of graphite as a reinforcement for Al‐based nanostructured composite

Abstract

Aluminum‐graphite composites find extensive applications in diverse industries, including automotive and aerospace sectors. However, the fabrication of these composites faces a significant challenge due to poor wettability and weak interfacial bonding between graphite and aluminum. This work aims to modify the graphite particles to improve the characteristics of aluminum. In this study, treated graphite (TG) was synthesized using a facile method for the first time. Graphite (G) was mixed with acetone and stirred with a mechanical stirrer at 2000 rpm for 1 h, followed by drying in an electric oven at 80°C for 1 h. Mechanical milling and subsequent hot pressing were employed to manufacture composites with 1, 3, and 5 wt.% of G and TG. The results demonstrated that the addition of G and TG up to 5 wt.% substantially improved the wear rate and coefficient of friction (COF). However, it also resulted in a deterioration of the mechanical properties of aluminum. The TG‐reinforced composites exhibited enhanced mechanical and tribological properties owing to the stronger bonds formed between carbon and aluminum atoms. Notably, the composite with 5‐wt.% G and TG exhibited an 80% and 58% lower COF compared with unreinforced aluminum. Composites containing 1‐wt.% G and TG showed an 11% and 1% reduction in yield strength, respectively. Consequently, the investigated graphite treatment proves to be an effective method for modifying the interfacial bonding and enhancing the comprehensive properties of aluminum. This treatment offers a simple and cost‐effective approach to improve the tribological and mechanical characteristics of aluminum matrix composites.