Mechanical response and wear behavior of graphene reinforced inconel 718 composite produced via hybrid accumulative roll bonding and gas tungsten arc welding process

In this study, graphene reinforced Inconel 718 composites were produced using a novel hybrid accumulative roll bonding (ARB)–gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and the mechanical and wear resistance of the composite were assessed. The microstructure characterization was studied by XRD, SEM, TEM and Raman spectroscopy. The results display that GTAW approach was a sustainable way to produce Inconel 718 based composite while addition of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) leads to a substantial improvement in strength of superalloy matrix, as well as the wear performance enhancement. Both yield strength and tensile strength of composite specimen with 1.0 wt% GNPs was 35% and 45% higher than those of base Inconel material, and the friction coefficient and wear rate were 204% and 52% lower than those of non-reinforced Inconel 718. Such enhancement of tribological properties can be ascribed to the hardness increase of GNPs–containing specimens and the formation of GNPs protecting film on the worn exteriors.