Analysis of Thermal Conductivity of Aluminium 6061 Reinforced with Varying Percentage of Graphene

The application of aluminium alloys holds significant importance in the aviation industry due to their low density, excellent strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance. Graphene, an allotropic form of carbon abundantly available in nature, possesses high tensile strength and low density, making it an ideal reinforcement material for aluminium alloys like Al-6061. Incorporating graphene as reinforcement enhances the thermal properties of the metal, leading to composite materials with superior attributes compared to their parent materials. This study investigates the distinctive effects of utilizing graphene as reinforcement in Al-6061 to improve its thermal conductivity. Aluminium alloy serves as the matrix material, with graphene added in varying weight percentages: 0% (as-cast), 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1%. The metal matrix composite was fabricated using the stir casting technique, ensuring uniform distribution of reinforcement particulates. Specimens were then machined to the required geometry following approximate ASTM standards for testing and evaluation.