Abstract
Graphene oxide (GO) powder was dispersed in an AlMg5 matrix using high energy ball milling. The obtained blend was then completely densified by hot pressing. No further hardening processing step was performed. Nevertheless, only 1 vol% of GO in the Aluminum alloy matrix leads to a significant improvement of the mechanical resistance. The ultimate tensile strength (540 MPa) and the macro hardness (166 HV) are increased by a factor of 2 compared to the same AlMg5 alloy without nanoparticulate material and compacted under the same conditions. The bending strength is even increased by a factor of 4 reaching a value over 800 MPa. The GO powder can be applied as a mechanical reinforcement to other scenarios such as polymer and ceramic systems.
•Graphene oxide (GO) was attempted to use as a reinforcement on aluminum alloy matrix.•No further hardening processing step was performed.•The composite materials lead to a significant improvement of the mechanical resistance.•The bending strength is even increased by a factor of 4 reaching a value over 800 MPa.•We report a fully densified GO/Al composites fabricated by powder metallurgy process.