Development of NanoHybrid Composites of Al/rGO/B₄C with Improved Microstructure and Microhardness Properties

Nanocomposites of aluminium (Al)/boron carbide (B 4 C)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) have been synthesized by high-energy planetary ball milling route followed by sintering at 580 ∘ C for 5[Formula: see text]h. Ball milling of composite powder samples was carried out for 3[Formula: see text]h under an argon atmosphere. Different characterization techniques, such as XRD, micro Raman, FTIR, UV–Vis DRS, FESEM, TEM, EDS, and microhardness analysis, have been carried out to evaluate the properties of as-synthesized materials. The rGO used in this work has high-transparency folded graphene layers (less than three layers) with an energy band gap of 2.64[Formula: see text]eV. The purity of samples was confirmed by EDS analysis. The Density of Al/rGO (0.25[Formula: see text]wt.%)/B 4 C (5[Formula: see text]wt.%) composite is relatively higher than pure Al and Al/rGO (0.25% and 0.75%) composites. Reinforcement of 0.25[Formula: see text]wt.% rGO with 5[Formula: see text]wt.% B 4 C was found to enhance the microstructural and microhardness properties of the Al matrix. The microhardness of Al/rGO (0.25[Formula: see text]wt.%)/B 4 C (5[Formula: see text]wt.%) composite significantly increases from 52[Formula: see text]VHN (for Al) to 210[Formula: see text]VHN. The developed lightweight composite with improved microstructural and microhardness properties is recommended as an emerging material for the automobile and aircraft industries.