Preparation of graphene reinforced aluminium composites: investigation of microstructural, electrical conductivity and microhardness behaviour

We have prepared composites of Al-graphene (0.1 wt%-0.3 wt%) by employing a specially designed dry planetary ball milling technique (by six hrs of milling) followed by optimised compaction of 140 MPa and sintered at 560°C. Various characterisation of composites were carried out by using XRD, XPS, FESEM, TEM, HRTEM, SAED, EDS, micro Raman, electrical conductivity and microhardness analysis to produce an optimised and advanced Al-graphene composite. Graphene grown in typical Al-graphene (0.3 wt%) composite was marked in bi-layer form. EDS shows purity of composite, exhibiting only peaks of Al and C. Results obtained from XRD, XPS, HRTEM and SAED studies confirm the successful formation of composite between Al and graphene without any appearance of aluminium carbide. The typical aluminium-graphene (0.3 wt%) composite exhibits significantly more electrical (56.2 × 106 S/m) and microhardness (157 ± 12 VHN) values than that of pure aluminium.