Microstructure evolution and properties of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced aluminum matrix composites
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced High-temperature Materials and Precision Forming, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240 (China)
- Jiangsu Zhongtian Technology Co., Ltd, Zhongtian Road, Nantong, Jiangsu 226463 (China)
Highlights: • Lamellar structure of GNPs fibers and Al matrix was obtained in the rolling direction. • Stacking faults were observed in Al grains due to greatly increased GNPs/Al interfaces. • Strength of Al-0.2 wt% GNPs increased 36.8% with negligible electrical conductivity loss. - Abstract: Aluminum matrix composites reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were prepared by continuous casting and subsequent rolling. Al-GNPs master alloy, prepared by ball milling and cold pressing, was added into Al melts to fabricate the composites. Microstructure evolution of the composites were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD). GNPs distributed uniformly in the as-cast specimen and then transformed into fibers in the rolling direction after deformation and finally a lamellar structure formed in the composites. Raman spectra showed that the structural damage of GNPs mainly came from ball milling. The interface between GNPs and Al was well combined in general while a few microcracks were observed, which reduced the ductility of the composites and no adverse aluminum carbide (Al{sub 4}C{sub 3}) was detected at the interface. Stacking faults were observed interior of the aluminum grain, which may due to the existence of plentiful interface introduced by GNPs. Fracture observation revealed that the load transferred from Al matrix to GNPs. The ultimate tensile strength of Al-0.2 wt% GNPs composites was about 36.8% higher than that of pure Al with the same casting and rolling process, which should result from the lamellar structure and load transfer, while the conductivity of the composites decreased slightly, indicating that interface scattering between Al and GNPs is very limited. The investigation results show that Al-GNPs composite is potential for high strength and high conductivity application.
- OSTI ID:
- 22805017
- Journal Information:
- Materials Characterization, Vol. 140; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2017 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1044-5803
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ALUMINIUM ALLOYS
ALUMINIUM CARBIDES
BACKSCATTERING
COLD PRESSING
DUCTILITY
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRON DIFFRACTION
FIBERS
GRAPHENE
INTERFACES
MICROSTRUCTURE
NANOSTRUCTURES
RAMAN SPECTRA
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
STACKING FAULTS
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY