Bending Properties of Graphene Reinforced Aluminium Matrix Composite Produced by Casting Process

The term composite is defined by combining two materials at the macro level in order to enhance the best properties of two or more same or different groups of materials in a broad sense. In other words, they can be called materials consisting of different kinds of materials or phases which are combined with each other in order to obtain superior properties by improving each other’s weakness.

It is possible to classify composite materials in two classes according to the shapes of the constituent materials and components [1].

a) According to the type of matrix material;

• Plastic Matrix Composite

• Metallic Matrix Composite

• Ceramic Matrix Composites

b) According to the structure components;

• Particle Reinforced Composites

• Fiber Reinforced Composites

• Layered Composites

• Filled Composites

3XX series aluminum cast alloys contain silicon as the main

alloying element, are widely used in industry. With the addition of silicon to the aluminum, fluidity, weldability, mechanical properties are increased, as well as the ability to perform special processes such as heat treatment and modification are positively affected. Silicon content of the cast alloys is 25% maximum if the alloy is produced by powder metallurgy, the amount of silicon can be up to 50% by weight [2].

Graphene was first introduced in 1994 by Boehm [3] where the properties are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1:General Properties of Single Layer Graphene [3].

The studies and the results [3-18] obtained for the production of graphite reinforced Al composites between the years 2010-2015 are summarized in the Table2. As can be seen, most commonly used method for the production of graphene reinforced composites were powder metallurgy.

Table 2:Studies on GNT/Al and Mechanical Properties of Produced Composites.

In this work, the aim was targeted to use casting methods to produce graphene reinforced aluminum matrix composites.

10 kg of A356 aluminum alloy charge was melted at 750°C in resistance furnace in SiC crucible. Moulds were prepared as lost foam, sand cavity and permanent moulds in the dimension of 120 mm length, 20 mm wide and 20 mm thickness in the shape of rectangular bars.

For the casting trials, two methods were used to add graphene to the cast piece. In the first method, graphene was placed in aluminum foil which was placed vertically in the mold cavity and the melt was poured. In the second method, graphene was added to the surface of the melt during pouring. For the lost foam castings, the graphene was added as layers in between the foams, and then the melt was poured. Thixoforging was also applied to the cast piece which was produced by casting and then heating the graphene reinforced sample to 630°C, held for 20 minutes and then forged under 220 bar pressure. For squeeze casting, after the melt was poured into the mould cavity together with graphene, the melt was pressurized at 150bar in the mould under 30 ton presses. All these methods were investigated in order to achieve higher wettability and homogeneous distribution of graphene into the matrix.

Samples were characterized by metallographic, SEM, EDS and CT scan analyzes. 3-point bending test was carried out for mechanical property determination.

SEM images of the graphene found in the matrix are given in Figure 1. For many of the trials, particularly when aluminum foils were used, the graphene appeared to stay in between the foils and foil was not melted and graphene was not distributed into the matrix.

When thixoforging and squeeze casting was used, more sound and homogeneous structure was observed. The CT scan images of these samples are given in Figure 2. For the rest of the casting trials particularly lost foam and sand casting, highly porous cast parts with agglomerated graphene were observed.

The best composite production was achieved when squeeze casting was used. Three-point bending tests are given in Figure 3a. The dark data represents the alloy without any graphene addition and the light blues are the composites. Weibull analysis of the findings is given in Figure 3b. As can be seen, the scatter of the results is given by Weibull modulus where it is 6.48 and 3.69 for stress and displacement, respectively. The characteristic values were recorded from Weibull analysis and it was found that stress was 26,04MPa and displacement was 5,84mm. For the base alloy, these values correspond to 20.7MPa and 3.46 mm. According to these findings, by graphene addition, the stress was increased by 25.7% and displacement was enhanced by 68%. However, it is important to note that the bending results show a scatter which was based on the distribution of graphene into the matrix.

Production of graphene reinforced A356 alloy was quite challenging mainly due to the density difference and wettability of graphene. Different casting techniques were used to achieve good distribution of graphene into the matrix. Squeeze casting was found to be successful. The bending stress and displacement were enhanced by 25% by graphene addition to 356 alloys. The mechanical properties were scattered to do the inhomogeneous distribution of graphene and formation of porosity due to agglomeration.

This work was supported by Research Fund of the Istanbul Technical University. Project Number MOA-2019-42309.

No conflict of interest.

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