Wear behavior and characterization of aluminum / perlite-flyash/ graphene hybrid composites

In this study, it is aimed to coat aluminum alloy with solutions prepared in graphene / volatile-expanded perlite combinations by hydrothermal method. Coating solutions were prepared in different combinations with graphene / fly ash-expanded perlite (10%, 20% and 30%). Al6013 alloy samples were coated for 24 hours at 240oC using these solutions in a hydrothermal device.Sintered heat treatment was applied to the coated samples for 1 hour at 450oC. Al6013 Aluminum alloy was placed in the hydrothermal device and added to the solutions prepared separately for each sample. The samples were coated in the hydrothermal device at 240oC for 24 hours. The coated samples were sintered heat treated at 450oC for 1 hour. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), surface roughness, micro-hardness and wear tests of composite coatings made on Al6013 aluminum alloy were performed. As a result, composite coating was formed on A6013 Aluminum alloy by SEM, EDX and XRD analysis. The coating consisting of graphene, fly ash or expanded perlite was seen on the surface in the form of layered and similarly distributed thin layers, with a graphene-like structure. When the micro-hardness measurements were examined, the highest hardness was seen in the 30% expanded perlite reinforced sample. Abrasion resistance decreased as the rate of fly ash increased with the abrasion tests. As the reinforced expanded perlite ratio increased, the wear resistance increased. The fly ash reinforced sample showed the best abrasion resistance among samples with fly ash and expanded perlite reinforced to the samples.