Mechanical and electrochemical behaviors assessments of Aluminum- Graphene Oxide composites fabricated by mechanical milling and repetitive upsetting extrusion

Abstract

This study is aimed to fabricate the Aluminium-graphene oxide (Al-GO) composites with different concentration of GO (0.5, 1, and 2 wt. %) at 300 °C using repetitive upsetting extrusion (RUE) technique. Uniform dispersion of GO nanoplates throughout the matrix was obtained by sequence processes including the ultrasonicating, ball milling and RUE. The microstructure of composites was investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and Raman analysis. The results confirmed that the Al-1GO illustrated the uniform and homogenous dispersion of GO into the Al matrix. Raman results confirm the absence of aluminum carbide phase formation during the RUE process. The mechanical properties results show the greater hardness, compressive strength and yield strength of Al-1GO than other ones. This 500% enhancement of Al-1GO in mechanical behavior may be related to desired dispersion of GO throughout the matrix. Current density of the Al matrix corrosion significantly increased from 2.65 to 15.21 (µA/cm2), when the amount of GO increased from 0 to 2 wt. % due to galvanic corrosion at the presence of the GO reinforcement.