Improved strength and ductility of magnesium with addition of aluminum and graphene nanoplatelets (Al + GNPs) using semi powder metallurgy method

• The Mg–Al–graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) composite is synthesized using semi powder metallurgical method followed by hot extrusion.
• The Mg–1.0Al–0.18GNPs composite revealed maximum yield strength (0.2%YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), failure strain (%) and Vickers hardness (up to 190,254 MPa, 15.5 and 58, respectively).
• Achieved strength is better than earlier reported Mg–Al–CNTs and Mg–ceramic composites. Better performance of GNPs over CNTs is due to its high specific surface area, superior nanofiller matrix adhesion and the two dimensional geometry.

The Mg–Al–graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) nano-composites were synthesized using the powder metallurgy method. The effect of Al–GNPs hybrids addition in to pure Mg was examined through tensile and Vicker hardness tests. The GNPs content was kept constant (0.18 wt.%) and Al content was varied from 0.5 wt.% to 1.5 wt.%. The increase in Al content led to increase in 0.2%YS, UTS and failure strain (%). However for Al content exceeding over 1 wt.%, the failure strain(%) started to decrease. The best improvement was achieved with 1 wt.% Al (Mg–1.0Al–0.18GNPs). Mechanical strength of synthesized composites proved to be better than Mg–Al–CNTs and Mg–ceramic composites.