INVESTIGATION OF THERMAL, MECHANICAL AND WEAR BEHAVIOUR OF AM60/B4C/GNPs HYBRID COMPOSITES VIA POWDER METALLURGY

Year 2026, Volume: 14 Issue: 1, 234 - 248, 01.03.2026

Engin Çevik , Fatih Aydın , Muhammet Emre Turan , Yavuz Sun

https://doi.org/10.36306/konjes.1754457

https://izlik.org/JA72ZT63WM

Abstract

This work investigates AM60 magnesium alloy composites reinforced with B₄C and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) fabricated by powder metallurgy followed by hot extrusion. Microstructural characterization (XRD, SEM, TEM/EDS) and property evaluation (hardness, tensile, thermal conductivity by laser flash, and pin-on-disc wear) were conducted. Compared to unreinforced AM60 (52.0 ± 2.3 HV), the hybrid composite AM60–2B₄C–0.5GNPs reached 69.1 ± 1.7 HV (+32.8%). Yield and ultimate tensile strengths increased progressively with reinforcement; the hybrid composition showed the highest values, while elongation decreased. Thermal conductivity decreased with reinforcement content (e.g., 107.1 ± 1.9 → 75.3 ± 1.7 W•m⁻¹•K⁻¹ at 25 °C). Wear rate decreased at all loads, with the hybrid composite exhibiting the lowest wear due to higher hardness and the solid-lubricant effect of GNPs. No intermetallics were detected at reinforcement–matrix interfaces. The study provides an integrated, quantitative assessment of hybrid B₄C+GNP effects on AM60, evidencing a synergistic strengthening-wear improvement despite a trade-off in thermal conductivity.

Keywords

AM60 , B₄C , Graphene Nanoplatelets , Powder Metallurgy , Tensile , Wear , Thermal conductivity

Ethical Statement

This study was prepared in accordance with academic and ethical principles. No plagiarism, distortion, or unethical behavior was observed during the study. All sources have been cited. I am responsible for this article.

Supporting Institution

This research is supported by the Scientific Research Projects of TUBITAK with project no. 118R038.

Project Number

Project no. 118R038.

Thanks

This study was supported by TÜBİTAK; I gratefully acknowledge their valuable contribution.

References

• M. Ay, A. Etyemez, U. Aydin, "Milling of Magnesium Alloy with Micro Cutting Tools," Int. J. Innov. Res. Rev., vol. 3, pp. 30–34, 2019.
• X. Zhang, Q. Zhang, H. Hu, "Tensile behaviour and microstructure of magnesium AM60-based hybrid composite containing Al2O3 fibres and particles," Mater. Sci. Eng. A., vol. 607, pp. 269–276, 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.msea.2014.03.069.
• S. Polat, Y. Sun, E. Çevik, H. Colijn, "Evaluation of thermal conductivity of GNPs-doped B4C/Al-Si composites in terms of interface interaction and electron mobility," Diam. Relat. Mater., vol. 98, pp. 107457, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.diamond.2019.107457.
• Y. Yao, L. Jiang, G. Fu, L. Chen, "Wear behavior and mechanism of B4C reinforced Mg-matrix composites fabricated by metal-assisted pressureless infiltration technique," Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China., vol. 25, pp. 2543–2548, 2015, doi: 10.1016/S1003-6326(15)63873-0.
• V. Kevorkijan, S.D. Škapin, "Mg/B4C Composites with a High Volume Fraction of Fine Ceramic Reinforcement," Mater. Manuf. Process., vol. 24, pp. 1337–1340, 2009, doi: 10.1080/10426910902997076.
• M.E. Demir, Y.H. Çelik, A. Kalkanli, " The Effect of Rolling and Aging on Mechanical and Tribological Properties in B4C Particle Reinforced Al7075 Matrix Composites," Arab J Sci Eng., vol. 47, pp. 16187–16208, 2022, doi: 10.1007/s13369-022-06891-6.
• M.E. Demir, M. Okumuş, " Investigation of Microhardness, Microstructural, Tribological, and Thermal Properties of Al7075/TiO2/Kaoline Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites Produced by Powder Metallurgy Process," Adv. Eng. Mater., vol. 26, pp. 2401343, 2024, doi: 10.1002/adem.202401343.
• S. Abazari, A. Shamsipur, H.R. Bakhsheshi-Rad, S. Ramakrishna, F. Berto, "Graphene Family Nanomaterial Reinforced Magnesium-Based Matrix Composites for Biomedical Application: A Comprehensive Review," Metals., vol. 10, pp. 1002, 2020, doi: 10.3390/met10081002.
• X. Du, W. Du, Z. Wang, K. Liu, S. Li, "Ultra-high strengthening efficiency of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced magnesium matrix composites," Mater. Sci. Eng. A., vol. 711, pp. 633–642, 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.msea.2017.11.040.
• S.L. Xiang, M. Gupta, X.J. Wang, L.D. Wang, X.S. Hu, K. Wu, "Enhanced overall strength and ductility of magnesium matrix composites by low content of graphene nanoplatelets," Compos. Part Appl. Sci. Manuf., vol. 100, pp. 183–193, 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2017.05.011.
• X.M. Du, K.F. Zhen, F.G. Liu, "Graphene reinforced magnesium matrix composites by hot pressed sintering," Dig. J. Nanomater. Biostructures., vol. 13, pp. 827–833, 2018.
• A.A. Balandin, "Thermal properties of graphene and nanostructured carbon materials," Nat. Mater., vol. 10, pp. 569–581, 2011, doi:10.1038/nmat3064.
• M.E. Turan, Y. Sun, F. Aydin, H. Zengin, Y. Turen, H. Ahlatci, "Effects of carbonaceous reinforcements on microstructure and corrosion properties of magnesium matrix composites," Mater. Chem. Phys., vol. 218, pp. 182–188, 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2018.07.050.
• M.E. Turan, Y. Sun, F. Aydın, Y. Akgul, "Influence of multi-wall carbon nanotube content on dry and corrosive wear performances of pure magnesium," J. Compos. Mater., vol. 52, pp. 3127-3135, 2018, doi: 10.1177/0021998318762294.
• M. Rahimian, N. Parvin, N. Ehsani, "The effect of production parameters on microstructure and wear resistance of powder metallurgy Al–Al2O3 composite," Mater. Des., vol. 32, pp. 1031–1038, 2011, doi: 10.1016/j.matdes.2010.07.016.
• J.M. Mistry, P.P. Gohil, "Experimental investigations on wear and friction behaviour of Si3N4p reinforced heat-treated aluminium matrix composites produced using electromagnetic stir casting process," Compos. Part B Eng., vol. 161, pp. 190–204, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.10.074.
• F. Aydin, Y. Sun, M. Emre Turan, "Influence of TiC content on mechanical, wear and corrosion properties of hot-pressed AZ91/TiC composites," J. Compos. Mater., vol. 54, pp. 141–152, 2020, doi: 10.1177/0021998319860570.
• A. Çanakçı, A.H. Karabacak, M. Çelebi, et al., "A Study on the Optimization of Nano-B₄C Content for the Best Wear and Corrosion Properties of the Al-Based Hybrid Nanocomposites," Arab J Sci Eng, vol. 49, pp. 14625–14641, 2024, doi: 10.1007/s13369-024-08736-w.
• R. Harichandran, N. Selvakumar, "Effect of nano/micro B₄C particles on the mechanical properties of aluminium metal matrix composites fabricated by ultrasonic cavitation-assisted solidification process," Arch Civil Mech Eng, vol. 16, pp. 147–158, 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.acme.2015.07.001.
• N. Venkat Kishore, K. Venkata Rao, "Mechanical Properties in MMC of Aluminium Alloy (A356/LM25) Matrix and Boron Carbide (B₄C) Reinforcement," Int J Eng Res Technol, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 428-432, 2016, doi: 10.17577/IJERTV5IS020552.
• M. Rashad, F. Pan, M. Asif, A. Tang, "Powder metallurgy of Mg–1%Al–1%Sn alloy reinforced with low content of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs)," J Ind Eng Chem, vol. 23, pp. 243–250, 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.jiec.2014.01.028.
• S. Xiang, X. Wang, M. Gupta, K. Wu, X. Hu, M. Zheng, "Graphene nanoplatelets induced heterogeneous bimodal structural magnesium matrix composites with enhanced mechanical properties," Sci Rep, vol. 6, pp. 38824, 2016, doi: 10.1038/srep38824.
• İ. Süzer, S.B. Hayirci, E. Boyaci, A. Deniz, S. Mertdinç-Ülküseven, M. L. Öveçoğlu, H. Gökçe, D. Ağaoğulları, "Graphene nanoplatelet reinforced Al-based composites prepared from recycled powders via mechanical alloying and pressureless sintering," Diam. Relat. Mater., vol. 149, pp. 111552, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.diamond.2024.111552.
• M.E. Turan, F. Aydin, "Improved elevated temperature mechanical properties of graphene-reinforced pure aluminium matrix composites," Mater. Sci. Technol., vol. 36, pp. 1092–1103, 2020, doi:10.1080/02670836.2020.1753933.
• T. Ying, M.Y. Zheng, Z.T. Li, X.G. Qiao, "Thermal conductivity of as-cast and as-extruded binary Mg–Al alloys," J. Alloys Compd., vol. 608, pp. 19–24, 2014, doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2014.04.107.
• T.M. Tritt, "Thermal Conductivity: Theory, Properties, and Applications," Springer Science & Business Media, 2005.
• L.G. Hou, R.Z. Wu, X.D. Wang, J.H. Zhang, M.L. Zhang, A.P. Dong, B.D. Sun, "Microstructure, mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of the short carbon fiber reinforced magnesium matrix composites," J. Alloys Compd., vol. 695, pp. 2820–2826, 2017, doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2016.11.422.
• S.H. Park, J.-G. Jung, J. Yoon, B.S. You, "Influence of Sn addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of extruded Mg–8Al–2Zn alloy," Mater. Sci. Eng. A., vol. 626, pp. 128–135, 2015, doi:10.1016/j.msea.2014.12.039.
• H. Zengin, Y. Turen, H. Ahlatci, Y. Sun, "Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Behavior of As-Cast Mg-Zn-Zr-(La) Magnesium Alloys," J. Mater. Eng. Perform., vol. 27, pp. 389–397, 2018, doi:10.1007/s11665-017-3112-x.
• K. Munir, C. Wen, Y. Li, "Graphene nanoplatelets-reinforced magnesium metal matrix nanocomposites with superior mechanical and corrosion performance for biomedical applications," J. Magnes. Alloys., vol. 8, pp. 269–290, 2020, doi:10.1016/j.jma.2019.12.002.
• R. George, K.T. Kashyap, R. Rahul, S. Yamdagni, "Strengthening in carbon nanotube/aluminium (CNT/Al) composites," Scr. Mater., vol. 53, pp. 1159–1163, 2005, doi:10.1016/j.scriptamat.2005.07.022.
• R.J. Arsenault, N. Shi, "Dislocation generation due to differences between the coefficients of thermal expansion," Mater. Sci. Eng., vol. 81, pp. 175–187, 1986, doi:10.1016/0025-5416(86)90261-2.
• H. Yu, Y. Xin, M. Wang, Q. Liu, "Hall-Petch relationship in Mg alloys: A review," J. Mater. Sci. Technol., vol. 34, pp. 248–256, 2018, doi:10.1016/j.jmst.2017.07.022.
• M. Rashad, F. Pan, H. Hu, M. Asif, S. Hussain, J. She, "Enhanced tensile properties of magnesium composites reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets," Mater. Sci. Eng. A., vol. 630, pp. 36–44, 2015, doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2015.02.002.
• Z. Zhang, D.L. Chen, "Consideration of Orowan strengthening effect in particulate-reinforced metal matrix nanocomposites: A model for predicting their yield strength," Scr. Mater., vol. 54, pp. 1321–1326, 2006, doi:10.1016/j.scriptamat.2005.12.017.
• M. Rashad, F. Pan, A. Tang, M. Asif, "Effect of Graphene Nanoplatelets addition on mechanical properties of pure aluminium using a semi-powder method," Prog. Nat. Sci. Mater. Int., vol. 24, pp. 101–108, 2014, doi:10.1016/j.pnsc.2014.03.012.
• V.C. Nardone, K.M. Prewo, "On the strength of discontinuous silicon carbide reinforced aluminium composites," Scr. Metall., vol. 20, pp. 43–48, 1986, doi:10.1016/0036-9748(86)90210-3.
• J.F. Archard, "Elastic deformation and the laws of friction," Proc R Soc Lond A., vol. 243, pp. 190–205, 1957, doi:10.1098/rspa.1957.0214.
• B. Wang, Q. Fu, Y. Liu, T. Yin, Y. Fu, "The synergy effect in tribological performance of paper-based composites by MWCNT and GNPs," Tribol. Int., vol. 123, pp. 200–208, 2018, doi:10.1016/j.triboint.2018.03.014.
• M. Çelebi, A. Çanakçı, O. Güler, S. Özkaya, A.H. Karabacak, K.A. Arpacı, "Investigation of microstructure, hardness and wear properties of hybrid nanocomposites with Al2024 matrix and low contents of B₄C and h-BN nanoparticles produced by mechanical milling assisted hot pressing," JOM, vol. 74, pp. 4449–4461, 2022, doi: 10.1007/s11837-022-05441-7.
• T. Thirumalai, R. Subramanian, S. Dharmalingam, N. Radika, A. Gowrisankar, "Wear behavior of B4C reinforced hybrid aluminium matrix composites," Materials and technology, vol. 49, pp. 9–13, 2015.
• H. Zengin, Y. Turen, L. Elen, "A Comparative Study on Microstructure, Mechanical and Tribological Properties of A4, AE41, AS41 and AJ41 Magnesium Alloys," J. Mater. Eng. Perform., vol. 28, pp. 4647–4657, 2019, doi: 10.1007/s11665-019-04223-8.