Effect of Graphene Nanoparticle Incorporation on Hard Anodizing Performance of Al–Cu–Mg Aluminum Alloy

Anodizing improves the wear resistance of aluminum alloys, and hard anodizing in sulfuric acid further enhances it. However the thermal ageing process limits the effectiveness of hard anodization on the Al–Cu–Mg alloy in terms of hardness and wear resistance. Therefore, this study attempts to achieve optimal hardness through anodizing and improve the wear resistance of the Al–Cu–Mg aluminum alloy upon hard anodization by adding graphene powder to the sulfuric acid solution. The obtained oxide layer was characterised using the following scanning techniques: electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The wear test was conducted using a tribometer (CSM). Finally, the wear behaviour was analysed by profilometer and SEM. The presence of graphene increased the anodic layer thickness and hardness to 400 µm and 405 HV, respectively with the significantly reduced friction coefficient and wear rate to 0.36 and 3.10–4 (mm3/(N m)), respectively.