Effect of Silicon Dioxide-Graphene Content on the Microstructure, Sliding Wear Behavior, and Compressive Strength of Aluminum Hybrid Composites

In the present work, aluminum matrix composites reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs: 0.15-0.45wt.%) and silicon dioxide (SiO2: 1, 3, 6, 9wt.%) were produced by the powder metallurgy method. Hardness, compressive strength, density, friction coefficient, and wear rate of the prepared specimens were examined. According to the experimental results, the best compressive strength (~ 390 MPa), density (~ 2.66 g/cm3), hardness (~ 62 HV), the lowest porosity (~ 1.3%), friction coefficient (~ 0.19 for a load of 10 N), and wear rate (~ 0.003 mm3/Nm for a load of 5 N) were detected et al.-6SiO2-0.15graphene composite. Compared to pure Al, the compressive strength, hardness, and wear resistance of Al-6SiO2-0.15graphene composite were improved by ~ 110%, ~ 106%, and ~ 107, respectively. Hence, it may be concluded that SiO2 has excellent wear resistance and graphene has remarkable strength, good solid lubricating properties for Al-based composites.