The effect of graphene reinforcement content on mechanical and wear properties of Fe-based Hybrid Nanocomposites

Abstract

In this study, Fe-based brake materials reinforced with B4C/graphene nanoparticles were produced by powder metallurgy and their properties were investigated. Graphene content was varied between 0–7% by weight, while B4C content was kept constant at 1% by weight. The powders were ground in an argon atmosphere for 4 hours to prevent oxidation. Scanning Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) were used for microstructural characterization. The effects of graphene content on microstructure, density, hardness, and wear behavior were evaluated. The results showed that density decreased and porosity increased with increasing graphene content. TEM analyses revealed that B4C was homogeneously distributed in the matrix, while graphene was clumped in places. Hardness increased from 88.81 HB to 94.42 HB with the addition of 5% graphene and decreased at higher percentages. Furthermore, the addition of 5% graphene significantly improved wear resistance, resulting in approximately 40% lower weight loss under a 5 N load and approximately 50% lower weight loss under a 10 N load.

Keywords

• Wear
• B4C
• Brake pad
• Graphene

Grafen Takviye Miktarının Fe Esaslı Hibrit Nanokompozitlerin Mekanik ve Aşınma Özellikleri Üzerindeki Etkisi

Abstract

Bu çalışmada, B4C/grafen nanoparçacıkları ile takviye edilmiş Fe esaslı fren malzemeleri toz metalurjisi yöntemiyle üretilmiş ve özellikleri incelenmiştir. Grafen içeriği ağırlıkça %0–7 arasında değiştirilirken, B4C oranı ağırlıkça %1’de sabit tutulmuştur. Tozlar, oksidasyonu önlemek amacıyla argon atmosferinde 4 saat öğütülmüştür. Mikroyapısal karakterizasyon için Taramalı Elektron Mikroskobu (TEM) ve Enerji Dağılım Spektroskopisi (EDS) kullanılmıştır. Grafen miktarının mikroyapı, yoğunluk, sertlik ve aşınma davranışı üzerindeki etkileri değerlendirilmiştir. Sonuçlar, grafen oranının artmasıyla yoğunluğun azaldığını ve gözenekliliğin arttığını göstermiştir. TEM incelemelerinde B4C’nin matriste homojen dağıldığı, grafenin ise yer yer topaklandığı belirlenmiştir. Sertlik, %5 grafen ilavesiyle 88,81 HB’den 94,42 HB’ye yükselmiş, daha yüksek oranlarda azalmıştır. Ayrıca, %5 grafen katkısı 5 N yük altında yaklaşık %40, 10 N yük altında ise yaklaşık %50 daha düşük ağırlık kaybı sağlayarak aşınma direncini önemli ölçüde artırmıştır.

Keywords

• Aşınma
• B4C
• Fren balatası
• Grafen

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