Effect of GNFs/Al Interfacial Characteristics on the Mechanical Properties of Graphene Nanoflakes Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites

Abstract

Graphene nanoflakes-reinforced aluminum matrix composites (GNFs/Al) with 1.0 wt.% GNFs were fabricated by a spark plasma sintering (SPS) method under two different condition. The microstructural and interfacial characteristics of the two composites were systematically investigated, and their different tensile mechanical properties were found to depend strongly on the GNFs/Al interfacial characteristics. Prolonged sintering in SPS should be avoided as it promotes obvious interfacial reaction that degrades the mechanical properties. The enhanced mechanical properties of the GNFs/Al composites in this study can be ascribed to their exquisite microstructures, specifically the well-maintained structure of raw reinforcement, the uniform GNF distribution and their parallel alignment with the tensile direction, the absence of mass interfacial reaction, and the good interface bonding.