Characterization Studies on Graphene-Aluminium Nano Composites for Aerospace Launch Vehicle External Fuel Tank Structural Application

Joel Jayaseelan, Ashwath Pazhani, Anthony Xavior Michael, Jeyapandiarajan Paulchamy, Andre Batako, Prashantha Kumar Hosamane Guruswamy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)
62 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

From the aspect of exploring the alternative lightweight composite material for the aerospace launch vehicle external fuel tank structural components, the current research work studies three different grades of Aluminium alloy reinforced with varying graphene weight percentages that are processed through powder metallurgy (P/M) route. The prepared green compacts composite ingots are subjected to microwave processing (Sintering), hot extruded, and solution treated (T6). The developed Nano-graphene reinforced composite is studied further for the strength−microstructural integrity. The nature of the graphene reinforcement and its chemical existence within the composite is further studied, and it is found that hot extruded solution treated (HEST) composite exhibited low levels of carbide (Al4C3) formations, as composites processed by microwaves. Further, the samples of different grades reinforced with varying graphene percentages are subjected to mechanical characterisation tests such as the tensile test and hardness. It is found that 2 wt% graphene reinforced composites exhibited enhanced yield strength and ultimate tensile strength. Microstructural studies and fracture morphology are studied, and it is proven that composite processed via the microwave method has exhibited good ductile behaviour and promising failure mechanisms at higher load levels.
Original languageEnglish
Article number5907
Number of pages24
JournalMaterials
Volume15
Issue number17
Early online date26 Aug 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Aug 2022

Bibliographical note

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and
conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Keywords

  • Aluminium-Graphene composites
  • metallurgical characterisation
  • launch vehicle external fuel tank structure
  • nano composites

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