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Journal of Polymer & Composites Original Research

High-Performance Aluminum Matrix Composites Reinforced with Graphene Nanoplatelets a Study on Mechanical and Thermal Behaviour

  1. Indradeep Kumar Amity Institute of Technology, Amity University, Noida
  2. Arigela Sri Harsha Department of Mechanical Engineering, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram
  3. Vijayakumar B Department of Chemistry, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai
  4. T. Rajesh Kumar Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai
  5. Surrya Prakash DilliBabu Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai
  6. Thiyagesan M Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, R.M.K Engineering College, Kavaraipettai Chennai
  7. Avinash Kumar Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cambridge Institute of Technology, Tatisilwai
  8. Prashant Sunagar Department of Civil Engineering, Sandip Institute of Technology and Research Centre
  9. K. S. Babulal Manufacturing Engineering Chair, School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Dire Dawa Institute of Technology, Dire Dawa University

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the mechanical and thermal properties of aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) fabricated using the powder metallurgy route. Aluminum alloy Al-6061 powder was reinforced with varying GNP concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 3 wt%), followed by uniaxial compaction and sintering. The influence of GNP content on the composite’s structural integrity, strength, and thermal behavior was thoroughly evaluated through tensile testing, hardness measurements, wear analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).Mechanical results indicated that tensile strength and hardness improved significantly with GNP addition, reaching peak performance at 2 wt%. At this optimal loading, the tensile strength increased by approximately 38%, while the wear rate decreased by nearly 40% compared to the unreinforced matrix, primarily due to the uniform dispersion of GNPs and their ability to inhibit crack propagation and resist abrasive wear. Similarly, thermal analysis showed a notable shift in decomposition onset temperature and increased thermal resistance at 2 wt%, confirming the role of GNPs in enhancing heat stability However, beyond 2 wt% GNPs, a decline in performance was observed due to agglomeration and weakened matrix–reinforcement bonding. These findings emphasize that 2 wt% GNP provides an ideal balance of dispersion and reinforcement, making the resulting AMCs strong candidates for advanced, lightweight, and thermally stable structural applications.

Keywords

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