Characterization of Copper-Zinc composite reinforced by Graphene Nanoflakes synthesized by ball milling and powder metallurgy

The current work investigates the characterization of copper-zinc-graphene nanoflakes (Cu-35Zn-GNF) system prepared by powder metallurgy (PM). Since GNF is a rising new material and lack research information, meanwhile leaded brass is a less preferable option, therefore GNF was used as reinforcement in brass. So, Cu-35Zn-xGNF (where x= 0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 wt%) was prepared by ball milling method. Effects of different milling time (20, 40 and 60 h) and different composition of GNF (0, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 wt%) in the composite system were investigated. Elemental powders Cu, Zn and GNF were milled with speed 250 rpm and with ball-to-powder ratio of 10:1. Next, all the composites were compacted with 500 MPa of force. XRD peaks of 60 h milling time showed lowest intensity and little peak broadening due to the reduction in crystallite size and the introduction of microstrain into the lattice. Next, in SEM, surface morphology was observed. Particles observed in Cu-35Zn-0.3GNF that had been milled for 60 h had the largest average diameter compared to other composites, which had a value of 9.63 µm. Then, EDAX analysis showed that the wt% for Cu, Zn and GNF in 60 h milling time were the least biased and was similar to the added wt%. Lastly after compaction, Cu-35Zn-0.1GNF had the greatest green density in each milling time. Comparing between milling time, 60 h milled time contributed to the greatest green density. Therefore, it can be concluded that the optimum composition of GNF added was 0.1 wt% and optimum milling time was 60 h throughout the findings.