Effect of Silicon Nitride and Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Properties of Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites
This research work aims at investigating the influence of a fixed content of silicon nitride (Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) and varied contents of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the physical (density, structural, morphological) and mechanical properties (microhardness, nanoi...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Materials |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/8/1898 |
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| author | Rokaya Abdelatty Adnan Khan Moinuddin Yusuf Abdullah Alashraf Rana Abdul Shakoor |
| author_facet | Rokaya Abdelatty Adnan Khan Moinuddin Yusuf Abdullah Alashraf Rana Abdul Shakoor |
| author_sort | Rokaya Abdelatty |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This research work aims at investigating the influence of a fixed content of silicon nitride (Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) and varied contents of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the physical (density, structural, morphological) and mechanical properties (microhardness, nanoindentation) of Al-Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>-GNPs composites. The composites were fabricated by a microwave-assisted powder metallurgy route. The Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> concentration was fixed at (5 wt.%) in Al-Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>-GNPs composites while the GNPs concentration was varied between (0 wt.%) to (1.5 wt.%) with an increment of (0.5 wt.%). The structural analysis indicates the formation of phase pure materials with high crystallinity. The microstructural analysis confirmed the presence of the Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> and GNPs showing enhanced agglomeration with the increasing amount of GNPs. Moreover, the surface roughness of the synthesized composites increases with an increasing amount of GNPs reaching its maximum value (RMS = 65.32 nm) at 1.5 wt.% of GNPs. The Al-Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>-GNPs composites exhibit improved microhardness and promising load-indentation behavior during nanoindentation when compared to pure aluminum (Al). Moreover, Al-Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>-GNPs composites demonstrate higher values of compressive yield strength (CYS) and ultimate compressive strength (UCS) when compared to pure Al despite showing a declining trend with an increasing amount of GNPs in the matrix. Finally, a shear mode of fracture is prevalent in Al-Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>-GNPs composites under compression loading. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:26:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ad7260e4845c4484b7960d2fcd2fc113 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1944 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:26:20Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Materials |
| spelling | doaj.art-ad7260e4845c4484b7960d2fcd2fc1132023-11-21T15:02:46ZengMDPI AGMaterials1996-19442021-04-01148189810.3390/ma14081898Effect of Silicon Nitride and Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Properties of Aluminum Metal Matrix CompositesRokaya Abdelatty0Adnan Khan1Moinuddin Yusuf2Abdullah Alashraf3Rana Abdul Shakoor4Center for Advanced Materials (CAM), Qatar University, 2713 Doha, QatarCenter for Advanced Materials (CAM), Qatar University, 2713 Doha, QatarCenter for Advanced Materials (CAM), Qatar University, 2713 Doha, QatarCenter for Advanced Materials (CAM), Qatar University, 2713 Doha, QatarCenter for Advanced Materials (CAM), Qatar University, 2713 Doha, QatarThis research work aims at investigating the influence of a fixed content of silicon nitride (Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>) and varied contents of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the physical (density, structural, morphological) and mechanical properties (microhardness, nanoindentation) of Al-Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>-GNPs composites. The composites were fabricated by a microwave-assisted powder metallurgy route. The Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> concentration was fixed at (5 wt.%) in Al-Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>-GNPs composites while the GNPs concentration was varied between (0 wt.%) to (1.5 wt.%) with an increment of (0.5 wt.%). The structural analysis indicates the formation of phase pure materials with high crystallinity. The microstructural analysis confirmed the presence of the Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> and GNPs showing enhanced agglomeration with the increasing amount of GNPs. Moreover, the surface roughness of the synthesized composites increases with an increasing amount of GNPs reaching its maximum value (RMS = 65.32 nm) at 1.5 wt.% of GNPs. The Al-Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>-GNPs composites exhibit improved microhardness and promising load-indentation behavior during nanoindentation when compared to pure aluminum (Al). Moreover, Al-Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>-GNPs composites demonstrate higher values of compressive yield strength (CYS) and ultimate compressive strength (UCS) when compared to pure Al despite showing a declining trend with an increasing amount of GNPs in the matrix. Finally, a shear mode of fracture is prevalent in Al-Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub>-GNPs composites under compression loading.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/8/1898aluminumcompositesmicrowave sinteringmicrostructurenanoindentationhardness |
| spellingShingle | Rokaya Abdelatty Adnan Khan Moinuddin Yusuf Abdullah Alashraf Rana Abdul Shakoor Effect of Silicon Nitride and Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Properties of Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites Materials aluminum composites microwave sintering microstructure nanoindentation hardness |
| title | Effect of Silicon Nitride and Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Properties of Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites |
| title_full | Effect of Silicon Nitride and Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Properties of Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites |
| title_fullStr | Effect of Silicon Nitride and Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Properties of Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of Silicon Nitride and Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Properties of Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites |
| title_short | Effect of Silicon Nitride and Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Properties of Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites |
| title_sort | effect of silicon nitride and graphene nanoplatelets on the properties of aluminum metal matrix composites |
| topic | aluminum composites microwave sintering microstructure nanoindentation hardness |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/8/1898 |
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