The research works of graphene-reinforced metal matrix composites will be summarised in this paper. Comparatively, much less research works have been undertaken in this field. Graphene has been thought to be an ideal reinforcement material for composites due to its unique two-dimensional structure and outstanding physical and mechanical properties. It is expected to yield structural materials with high specific strength or functional materials with exciting thermal and electrical characteristics. This paper will introduce all kinds of graphene-reinforced metal matrix composites that have been studied. The microstructure and mechanical properties, processing techniques, graphene dispersion, strengthening mechanisms, interfacial reactions between graphene and the metal matrix and future research works in this field will be discussed.

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Laser sintered graphene nickel (Gr-Ni) nanocomposites have been successfully fabricated, with uniform dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets in the nickel matrix. Microstructures and composition of the nanocomposites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. It was demonstrated by EDS maps, XRD patterns and Raman spectrum that graphene nanoplatelets were uniformly integrated in the nickel matrix. TEM images further proved the structure and uniform distribution of graphene in the nanocomposites after laser sintering. HRTEM images revealed the interface between nickel and graphene. High density of dislocation was discovered around the graphene. The strength and elastic modulus of the nanocomposites are significantly improved, as characterized by nanoindentation tests. The hardness tests show that the laser sintered Gr-Ni nanocomposites are around 3-fold higher than that of laser sintered nickel. The strengthening mechanism was also studied theoretically.

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Graphene reinforced titanium (Ti-Gr) nanocomposites have been prepared on AISI 4140 base plate by laser sintering process. The dispersion and survival of graphene in the Ti matrix after laser treatment were discussed. Through laser sintering, graphene sheets were dispersed uniformly into Ti matrix to form Ti-Gr nanocomposites. Microstructures and components of the nanocomposites were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and Raman spectroscopy. It was proved by SEM images, XRD patterns and Raman spectrum that graphene survived in Ti-Gr nanocomposites after laser sintering. Hardness measurements showed the laser sintered Ti-Gr nanocomposites got more than 2-fold higher in Vickers Hardness value than that of laser sintered Ti.

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