Aluminum (Al) matrix nanocomposites reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) at varying contents (1, 2, 3, and 5 wt.%) were successfully fabricated through a powder metallurgy (PM) route. The GnPs were derived from natural flake graphite (NFG) by chemical intercalation using H2SO4 and H2O2, followed by thermal exfoliation at 1000°C and ultrasonication for 20 h. Al–GnP blends were prepared by ultrasonic dispersion in acetone (1 g/50 ml) for 2 h, dried at 100°C, compacted at 550 MPa for 5 min, and sintered at 550°C for 2 h in argon. Microstructural investigations through X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and optical microscopy confirmed a uniform dispersion of GnPs at low contents (1 wt.%), while higher additions led to agglomeration, particularly at grain boundaries. Among all the compositions, Al–1 wt.% GnP exhibited superior performance with a hardness of ~ 454 MPa, relative density of ~ 93.5%, and compressive strength of ~ 760 MPa, nearly 2.8 times higher than pure Al (~ 272 MPa). The improvements were attributed to homogeneous GnP distribution, effective load transfer, and restricted dislocation mobility. Dry sliding wear tests further revealed enhanced resistance for the 1 wt.% composite, evidenced by shallow wear depth and narrow tracks. However, higher GnP concentrations impaired densification and wear behavior due to clustering and inhibited sintering. These results emphasize the need for precise control of GnP loading to optimize both mechanical strength and tribological properties. Moreover, this study uniquely investigates the vibration behavior of Al–GnP nanocomposites, rarely reported in the literature.
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