Introducing graphene (reduced graphene oxide) into Al matrix composites for enhanced high-temperature strength. (15th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zan, Y.N.; Zhang, Q.; Zhou, Y.T.; Liu, Z.Y.; Wang, Q.Z.; Wang, D.; Xiao, B.L.; Ren, W.C.; Ma, Z.Y.
• Is Part Of: Composites. Number 195(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08-15
• Subjects: Aluminium matrix composites -- Graphene -- High-temperature strength -- Mechanical properties -- Thermal stability; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2020.108095
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-8368

Abstract

Abstract: Lamellar amorphous Al2 O3 (am-Al2 O3 ) in Al2 O3 /Al composites exhibits extreme strengthening effect on high-temperature strength, but suffers from efficacy loss because of crystallizing into granular γ-Al2 O3 at temperatures over 450 °C. Here, based on the existing solution-mixing process, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets were introduced into Al2 O3 /Al composite to enhance its high-temperature strength for the first time. It was shown that rGO sheets within the am-Al2 O3 films could prevent them from transforming into γ-Al2 O3 in the high-temperature hot-pressing processes. As a result, by addition of a very small number of rGO sheets, the composites were strengthened significantly at both room and high temperatures. Strengthening mechanisms at room and high temperatures were discussed. Furthermore, enhanced thermal stability of am-Al2 O3 was explained by thermodynamics and kinetics factors. This work provides a novel application of graphene in structural materials.