The Effect of Sintering on the Microstructure, Hardness, and Tribological Behavior of Aluminum–Graphene Nanoplatelet Powder Composites

In this study, aluminum and graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) powders were mixed in different ratios and sintered by the conventional method. The powder mixtures were stirred for 2 h at a speed of 35 rpm in a V-type mixer to obtain a homogeneous dispersion. The nanocomposite powder mixtures were pressed by the CIP (Cold Isostatic Pressing) method at a pressure of 400 MPa. Sintering was carried out at 620°C for 1 h under argon gas. The density, surface roughness, weight loss, and Vickers hardness of the nanocomposites were evaluated. SEM, EDX, and XRD analyses were performed and the obtained results were examined. The effect of the graphene addition to aluminum was evaluated, and the optimum contribution of 0.8 wt.% GNP has been determined.