Effect of Interfacial Structure on Mechanical Properties of Graphene Reinforced Al2O3–WC Matrix Ceramic Composite

Abstract

The interfacial structures and interfacial bonding characteristics between graphene and matrix in graphene-reinforced Al2O3–WC matrix ceramic composite prepared by two-step hot pressing sintering were systematically investigated. Three interfacial structures including graphene–Al2O3, graphene–Al2OC and graphene-WC were determined in the Al2O3–WC–TiC–graphene composite by TEM. The interfacial adhesion energy and interfacial shear strength were calculated by first principles, and it has been found that the interfacial adhesion energy and interfacial shear strength of the graphene–Al2OC interface (0.287 eV/nm2, 59.32 MPa) were far lower than those of graphene–Al2O3 (0.967 eV/nm2, 395.77 MPa) and graphene–WC (0.781 eV/nm2, 229.84 MPa) interfaces. Thus, the composite with the strong and weak hybrid interfaces was successfully obtained, which was further confirmed by the microstructural analysis. This interfacial structure could induce strengthening mechanisms such as load transfer, grain refinement, etc., and toughening mechanisms such as crack bridging, graphene pull-out, etc., which effectively improved mechanical properties.

Effect of graphene platelets pullout from ceramic matrix on the fracture toughness of ceramic/graphene composites

“…We compared it with available data obtained by the modeling, for different ceramics/graphene systems (unfortunately, for the YSZ/graphene system we could not find data of experiments or modeling). For example, for the Al 2 O 3 /graphene system, the value of τ 0 = 395.77 MPa was found [21]. Thus, our evaluation obtained is quite realistic.…”

Sustainable Microfabrication Enhancement of Graphene Nanoplatelet-Reinforced Biomedical Alumina Ceramic Matrix Nanocomposites

“…In the recently published literature on using graphene for reinforcing ceramic-based nanocomposites, Al 2 O 3 matrix nanocomposites have been of particular interest since they have exhibited improvements in mechanical properties and thermal and electrical conductivity compared to pure ceramic matrices [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. For instance, He et al [ 23 ] presented the first study on GNP-reinforced alumina ceramic matrix composites.…”

Study on the preparation method of in-situ synthesized whisker toughened ceramic materials

“…Ceramic materials play an increasingly important role in modern machining because of their heat resistance, wear resistance, high hardness, and good chemical stability [1][2][3][4][5][6]. However, brittleness restricts the development and application of ceramic materials.…”

“…However, this preparation method has obvious shortcomings: (1) Whiskers are difficult to disperse in the matrix. (2) The whiskers are easily polluted by the environment during the preparation process. (3) The whiskers and the matrix may chemically react during the sintering process.…”