Optimization of Ball Milling Process of Graphene/Al Matrix Composite Powder and Selective Laser Melting (SLM)
Y. H. Zhao, L. Gao, L. Tan, J. H. Wang, B. Han and Z. Y. Zhao
A graphene/AlSi10Mg alloy composite powder was prepared by vacuum ball milling, and used to fabricate components by selective laser melting (SLM). When the ball to powder ratio was in the range of 4 to 10, with the increasing of the ball to powder ratio, the dispersion of graphene was, improved; however, when the ball to powder ratio was higher than 8 it was not favourable to the dispersion of the graphene. When the ball milling rotational speed was in the range of 80 to 250 rpm, with the increasing of ball milling rotational speed, the distribution of graphene became homogeneous, but when the ball milling rotational speed was higher than 230 rpm, the Al powders were deformed. When the ball milling time was in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 hours, graphene was dispersed more homogeneously with the increase of ball milling time, when the ball milling time was more than 2.0 hours, the deformation of Al alloy powder occurred. When the ball to powder ratio was 8:1, the ball milling rotational speed was 230 rpm, and the ball milling time was 2.0 hours, the graphene/ AlSi10Mg composite powder with the homogeneous distribution of graphene was prepared. And then the graphene/AlSi10Mg composites were used to fabricate components by SLM, the graphene/AlSi10Mg composites exhibited excellent microstructure and grain refinement.
Keywords: Fibre laser, graphene/AlSi10Mg composites, powder, selective laser melting (SLM), vacuum ball milling, microstructure, grain refinement