Microstructure and tribological properties of Mg matrix composite reinforced with modified graphene

Graphene has recently gained significant interest as a promising lubricant and additive for metal matrix composites. In this work, the microstructure and tribological properties of Mg-based composites were systematically investigated by introducing nano-ZnO modified graphene. It was found that graphene can be uniformly distributed in Mg matrix. In addition, MgO, the interfacial reaction product with nanoscale structure, can enhance the interfacial bonding strength of the composite. Compared to pure Mg matrix, the composite shown significant improvements in hardness and wear resistance. Finally, the mechanism of the wear resistance of the composite was discussed. This work provides technical support and theoretical guidance for the preparation and design of metal matrix composite with high wear resistance.