Original Article

Microstructural analysis of aluminum–graphite composites for electronics applications

¹ Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering Science, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
⁴ Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
⁵ Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria
⁶ Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State, Nigeria
⁷ Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South African

^* Correspondence author: adekanye.adeniyi@lmu.edu.ng

Received: 5 October 2024
Accepted: 6 January 2025

Abstract

Aluminum-graphite composites have emerged as promising materials for electronic applications due to their unique combination of mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, and lightweight nature. This study investigates the microstructural characteristics and corresponding mechanical and thermal properties of aluminum-graphite composites. The analysis encompasses compressive strength, impact strength, hardness, density, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), crystallite size, lattice strain, and the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The results demonstrate how the addition of graphite influences the overall performance of the composite, with implications for its suitability in electronic devices. The introduction of graphite improves aluminum’s compressive strength and hardness while reducing its impact strength. Also, the CTE of aluminum was considerably reduced with the introduction of graphite particles. Recent advancements and relevant literature are also discussed.