Effects of Graphene Nanoplatelets and Nanosized Al<sub>4</sub>C<sub>3</sub> Formation on the Wear Properties of Hot Extruded Al-Based Nanocomposites

This study investigates the influence of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and the formation of nanosized Al<sub>4</sub>C<sub>3</sub> on the tribological performance of hot extruded aluminum-based nanocomposites. Al/GNP nanocomposites with varying GNP contents (0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1...

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Main Authors: Mihail Kolev, Rumyana Lazarova, Veselin Petkov, Rositza Dimitrova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Lubricants
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4442/13/2/67
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author Mihail Kolev
Rumyana Lazarova
Veselin Petkov
Rositza Dimitrova
author_facet Mihail Kolev
Rumyana Lazarova
Veselin Petkov
Rositza Dimitrova
author_sort Mihail Kolev
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the influence of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and the formation of nanosized Al<sub>4</sub>C<sub>3</sub> on the tribological performance of hot extruded aluminum-based nanocomposites. Al/GNP nanocomposites with varying GNP contents (0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.1 wt.%) were fabricated through powder metallurgy, including ball milling, compaction, and hot extrusion at 500 °C, which was designed to facilitate the formation of nanosized carbides during the extrusion process. The effect of GNPs and nanosized carbides on the tribological properties of the composites was evaluated using dry friction pin-on-disk tests to assess wear resistance and the coefficient of friction (COF). Microstructural analyses using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the uniform distribution of GNPs and the formation of nanosized Al<sub>4</sub>C<sub>3</sub> in the samples. Incorporating 0.1 wt.% GNPs resulted in the lowest wear mass loss (1.40 mg) while maintaining a stable COF (0.52), attributed to enhanced lubrication and load transfer. Although a higher GNP content (1.1 wt.%) resulted in increased wear due to agglomeration, the nanocomposite still demonstrated superior wear resistance compared to the unreinforced aluminum matrix. These findings underscore the potential of combining nanotechnology with precise processing techniques to enhance the wear and friction properties of aluminum-based composites.
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spelling doaj-art-35474d8565504aa6aae6493f0f15e86b2025-08-20T03:12:02ZengMDPI AGLubricants2075-44422025-02-011326710.3390/lubricants13020067Effects of Graphene Nanoplatelets and Nanosized Al<sub>4</sub>C<sub>3</sub> Formation on the Wear Properties of Hot Extruded Al-Based NanocompositesMihail Kolev0Rumyana Lazarova1Veselin Petkov2Rositza Dimitrova3Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Metal Science, Equipment and Technologies with Hydro- and Aerodynamics Centre “Acad. A. Balevski”, Boulevard “Shipchenski Prohod” 67, 1574 Sofia, BulgariaBulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Metal Science, Equipment and Technologies with Hydro- and Aerodynamics Centre “Acad. A. Balevski”, Boulevard “Shipchenski Prohod” 67, 1574 Sofia, BulgariaBulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Metal Science, Equipment and Technologies with Hydro- and Aerodynamics Centre “Acad. A. Balevski”, Boulevard “Shipchenski Prohod” 67, 1574 Sofia, BulgariaBulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Metal Science, Equipment and Technologies with Hydro- and Aerodynamics Centre “Acad. A. Balevski”, Boulevard “Shipchenski Prohod” 67, 1574 Sofia, BulgariaThis study investigates the influence of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and the formation of nanosized Al<sub>4</sub>C<sub>3</sub> on the tribological performance of hot extruded aluminum-based nanocomposites. Al/GNP nanocomposites with varying GNP contents (0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.1 wt.%) were fabricated through powder metallurgy, including ball milling, compaction, and hot extrusion at 500 °C, which was designed to facilitate the formation of nanosized carbides during the extrusion process. The effect of GNPs and nanosized carbides on the tribological properties of the composites was evaluated using dry friction pin-on-disk tests to assess wear resistance and the coefficient of friction (COF). Microstructural analyses using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the uniform distribution of GNPs and the formation of nanosized Al<sub>4</sub>C<sub>3</sub> in the samples. Incorporating 0.1 wt.% GNPs resulted in the lowest wear mass loss (1.40 mg) while maintaining a stable COF (0.52), attributed to enhanced lubrication and load transfer. Although a higher GNP content (1.1 wt.%) resulted in increased wear due to agglomeration, the nanocomposite still demonstrated superior wear resistance compared to the unreinforced aluminum matrix. These findings underscore the potential of combining nanotechnology with precise processing techniques to enhance the wear and friction properties of aluminum-based composites.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4442/13/2/67Al/GNPsnanocompositesGNPsAl<sub>4</sub>C<sub>3</sub>hot extrusioncoefficient of friction
spellingShingle Mihail Kolev
Rumyana Lazarova
Veselin Petkov
Rositza Dimitrova
Effects of Graphene Nanoplatelets and Nanosized Al<sub>4</sub>C<sub>3</sub> Formation on the Wear Properties of Hot Extruded Al-Based Nanocomposites
Lubricants
Al/GNPs
nanocomposites
GNPs
Al<sub>4</sub>C<sub>3</sub>
hot extrusion
coefficient of friction
title Effects of Graphene Nanoplatelets and Nanosized Al<sub>4</sub>C<sub>3</sub> Formation on the Wear Properties of Hot Extruded Al-Based Nanocomposites
title_full Effects of Graphene Nanoplatelets and Nanosized Al<sub>4</sub>C<sub>3</sub> Formation on the Wear Properties of Hot Extruded Al-Based Nanocomposites
title_fullStr Effects of Graphene Nanoplatelets and Nanosized Al<sub>4</sub>C<sub>3</sub> Formation on the Wear Properties of Hot Extruded Al-Based Nanocomposites
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Graphene Nanoplatelets and Nanosized Al<sub>4</sub>C<sub>3</sub> Formation on the Wear Properties of Hot Extruded Al-Based Nanocomposites
title_short Effects of Graphene Nanoplatelets and Nanosized Al<sub>4</sub>C<sub>3</sub> Formation on the Wear Properties of Hot Extruded Al-Based Nanocomposites
title_sort effects of graphene nanoplatelets and nanosized al sub 4 sub c sub 3 sub formation on the wear properties of hot extruded al based nanocomposites
topic Al/GNPs
nanocomposites
GNPs
Al<sub>4</sub>C<sub>3</sub>
hot extrusion
coefficient of friction
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4442/13/2/67
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AT veselinpetkov effectsofgraphenenanoplateletsandnanosizedalsub4subcsub3subformationonthewearpropertiesofhotextrudedalbasednanocomposites
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