Effect of Graphene Nanoplate and Silicon Carbide Nanoparticle Reinforcement on Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Spark Plasma Sintered Magnesium Matrix Composites

Processing of magnesium (Mg) matrix composites reinforced with low reinforcement content (up to 4-5 vol.%) of graphene nanoplates (GNPs) and silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles using ball milling and spark plasma sintering (SPS) is reported. Near full densification was observed for all the composite compositions at the sintering temperature of 450 °C (soaking time of 5 min and applied pressure of 50 MPa). Detailed analysis of the microstructure and mechanical and tribological (under dry sliding contact with alumina counter-face) properties with reinforcement content in Mg-GNP and Mg-SiC is presented. Mg-GNP and Mg-SiC composites reinforced with about 2 vol.% of reinforcement content exhibited significant improvement in microhardness and wear resistance as compared with Mg compacts.