Numerical and Experimental Analysis of Mechanical Thermal and Microstructure Properties of Additively Manufactured Aluminium Graphene Composite

Abstract

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a rapidly evolving technique that offers diverse opportunities to the manufacturing sector to improve the fabrication of metals, alloys, composites, polymers, etc. AM has shown a promising approach in achieving superior properties in aluminum and aluminum alloy composites reinforced by SiC, TiC, TiBand#8322;, and Aland#8322;Oand#8323;, etc. AlSi10Mg alloy is among the most widely recognized aluminium alloys due to its dimensional stability and exceptional properties for additive manufacturing. However, the alloy s performance can be improved and optimized through appropriate reinforcement and control of the manufacturing process parameters. Graphene has recently emerged as a potential metal reinforcement because of its exceptional mechanical properties. Graphene reinforced AlSi10Mg matrix composites are high-strength materials, with a significant potential for application involving high thermal and mechanical loads. The composite has a promising future to cater to the automobile and aerospace sectors because of its exceptional properties, including high strength and lightweight characteristics. Considering this, this study explores the analysis of the mechanical, microstructure, thermal, surface, and compressive properties of AlSi10Mg alloy and its composite reinforced with 0.1% graphene (wt%) fabricated using a selective laser melting (SLM) process.