Study of mechanical and wear behaviour of AA5083 graphene reinforced composites

AA5083 aluminium alloy is an excellent casting material with inadequate strength and poor wear properties. To increase its deficient mechanical and wear properties, researchers have conducted a lot of research in the past decades. Based on the research, graphene can be considered a good reinforcement due to its outstanding mechanical properties. The present paper discusses the properties of AA5083 Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) reinforced with graphene particles. Aluminium MMCs were fabricated using the stir casting method by varying graphene reinforcement (5 and 10 wt.%) with AA5083 (specimens B and C). The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDAX) analysis results confirmed the presence of graphene in the AA5083 matrix. The test results show that the tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, and hardness were enhanced with the addition of graphene particles in the AA5083 matrix. The tribological behaviour of the MMCs was compared with the AA5083 matrix using a pin-on-disc wear test. The increase in wt.% of graphene reinforcement enhanced the wear resistance of the proposed MMCs. The large wear debris and crater were not noticed in the worn surfaces of the MMCs specimens.