Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Composite structural modeling and tensile mechanical behavior of graphene reinforced metal matrix composites

石墨烯增强金属基复合材料的结构建模与拉伸模拟

  • Articles
  • Published:
Science China Materials Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Owing to its distinguished mechanical stiffness and strength, graphene has become an ideal reinforcing material in kinds of composite materials. In this work, the graphene (reduced graphene oxide) reinforced aluminum (Al) matrix composites were fabricated by flaky powder metallurgy. Tensile tests of pure Al matrix and graphene/Al composites with bioinspired layered structures are conducted. By means of an independently developed Python-based structural modeling program, three-dimensional microscopic structural models of graphene/Al composites can be established, in which the size, shape, orientation, location and content of graphene can be reconstructed in line with the actual graphene/Al composite structures. Elastoplastic mechanical properties, damaged materials behaviors, graphene-Al interfacial behaviors and reasonable boundary conditions are introduced and applied to perform the simulations. Based on the experimental and numerical tensile behaviors of graphene/ Al composites, the effects of graphene morphology, graphene-Al interface, composite configuration and failure behavior within the tensile mechanical deformations of graphene/ Al composites can be revealed and indicated, respectively. From the analysis above, a good understanding can be brought to light for the deformation mechanism of graphene/Al composites.

摘要

石墨烯具有优异的机械性能, 已成为众多复合材料中的理想增强体材料. 本研究采用片状粉末冶金方法制备了具有仿生叠层结构的石墨烯/铝基复合材料, 同时对纯铝基体与石墨烯/铝基复合材料进行了拉伸试验. 通过基于Python语言自主研发的复合材料结构建模程序, 可以有效建立石墨烯/铝基复合材料的三维复合结构模型, 并实现石墨烯尺寸、形貌、取向、位置与含量等可控重构分布. 通过引入组分材料力学性能、损伤行为、界面行为及边界条件等实现了石墨烯/铝基复合材料的拉伸行为模拟, 并揭示了石墨烯形貌、石墨烯/铝界面、复合构型与失效行为等复合因素的影响规律, 对理解石墨烯/铝基复合材料的变形机理提供了有力依据.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Geim AK, Novoselov KS. The rise of graphene. Nat Mater, 2007, 6: 183–191

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Novoselov KS, Fal'ko VI, Colombo L, et al. A roadmap for graphene. Nature, 2012, 490: 192–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Daniels C, Horning A, Phillips A, et al. Elastic, plastic, and fracture mechanisms in graphene materials. J Phys-Condens Matter, 2015, 27: 373002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Liu F, Ming P, Li J. Ab initio calculation of ideal strength and phonon instability of graphene under tension. Phys Rev B, 2007, 76: 064120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Lee C, Wei X, Kysar JW, et al. Measurement of the elastic properties and intrinsic strength of monolayer graphene. Science, 2008, 321: 385–388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Balandin AA. Thermal properties of graphene and nanostructured carbon materials. Nat Mater, 2011, 10: 569–581

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Morozov SV, Novoselov KS, Katsnelson MI, et al. Giant intrinsic carrier mobilities in graphene and its bilayer. Phys Rev Lett, 2008, 100: 016602

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Porwal H, Grasso S, Reece MJ. Review of graphene–ceramic matrix composites. Adv Appl Ceramics, 2013, 112: 443–454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Das TK, Prusty S. Graphene-based polymer composites and their applications. Polymer-Plastics Tech Eng, 2013, 52: 319–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Tjong SC. Recent progress in the development and properties of novel metal matrix nanocomposites reinforced with carbon nanotubes and graphene nanosheets. Mater Sci Eng-R-Rep, 2013, 74: 281–350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Rafiee MA, Rafiee J, Wang Z, et al. Enhanced mechanical properties of nanocomposites at low graphene content. ACS Nano, 2009, 3: 3884–3890

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Wan C, Chen B. Reinforcement and interphase of polymer/graphene oxide nanocomposites. J Mater Chem, 2012, 22: 3637–3646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Chen LY, Konishi H, Fehrenbacher A, et al. Novel nanoprocessing route for bulk graphene nanoplatelets reinforced metal matrix nanocomposites. Scripta Mater, 2012, 67: 29–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Lin D, Richard Liu C, Cheng GJ. Single-layer graphene oxide reinforced metal matrix composites by laser sintering: Microstructure and mechanical property enhancement. Acta Mater, 2014, 80: 183–193

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Chu K, Jia C. Enhanced strength in bulk graphene-copper composites. Phys Status Solidi A, 2014, 211: 184–190

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Liu L, Zhang J, Zhao J, et al. Mechanical properties of graphene oxides. Nanoscale, 2012, 4: 5910–5916

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Dikin DA, Stankovich S, Zimney EJ, et al. Preparation and characterization of graphene oxide paper. Nature, 2007, 448: 457–460

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Park S, Ruoff RS. Chemical methods for the production of graphenes. Nat Nanotech, 2009, 4: 217–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Avouris P, Dimitrakopoulos C. Graphene: synthesis and applications. Mater Today, 2012, 15: 86–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Montazeri A, Rafii-Tabar H. Multiscale modeling of graphene- and nanotube-based reinforced polymer nanocomposites. Phys Lett A, 2011, 375: 4034–4040

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Suk JW, Piner RD, An J, et al. Mechanical properties of monolayer graphene oxide. ACS Nano, 2010, 4: 6557–6564

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Paci JT, Belytschko T, Schatz GC. Computational studies of the structure, behavior upon heating, and mechanical properties of graphite oxide. J Phys Chem C, 2007, 111: 18099–18111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Parashar A, Mertiny P. Multiscale model to investigate the effect of graphene on the fracture characteristics of graphene/polymer nanocomposites. Nanoscale Res Lett, 2012, 7: 595

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Dai G, Mishnaevsky Jr. L. Graphene reinforced nanocomposites: 3D simulation of damage and fracture. Comp Mater Sci, 2014, 95: 684–692

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Azoti WL, Elmarakbi A. Multiscale modelling of graphene platelets- based nanocomposite materials. Composite Struct, 2017, 168: 313–321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Jiang L, Li Z, Fan G, et al. The use of flake powder metallurgy to produce carbon nanotube (CNT)/aluminum composites with a homogenous CNT distribution. Carbon, 2012, 50: 1993–1998

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Li Z, Fan G, Tan Z, et al. Uniform dispersion of graphene oxide in aluminum powder by direct electrostatic adsorption for fabrication of graphene/aluminum composites. Nanotechnology, 2014, 25: 325601

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Young RJ, Kinloch IA, Gong L, et al. The mechanics of graphene nanocomposites: a review. Composites Sci Tech, 2012, 72: 1459–1476

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Arsenault RJ, Shi N. Dislocation generation due to differences between the coefficients of thermal expansion. Mater Sci Eng, 1986, 81: 175–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Yoon D, Son YW, Cheong H. Negative thermal expansion coefficient of graphene measured by Raman spectroscopy. Nano Lett, 2011, 11: 3227–3231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Su Y, Li Z, Jiang L, et al. Computational structural modeling and mechanical behavior of carbon nanotube reinforced aluminum matrix composites. Mater Sci Eng-A, 2014, 614: 273–283

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Liu Z, Zhang SM, Yang JR, et al. Interlayer shear strength of single crystalline graphite. Acta Mech Sin, 2012, 28: 978–982

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Feng S, Guo Q, Li Z, et al. Strengthening and toughening mechanisms in graphene-Al nanolaminated composite micro-pillars. Acta Mater, 2017, 125: 98–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial supports by the National Natural Science Foundation (51501111, 51131004), the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2016YFE0130200), Science & Technology Committee of Shanghai (14DZ2261200, 1452 0710100 and 14JC14033 00) and 111 Project (B16032).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Yishi Su  (苏益士), Zan Li  (李赞), Yang Yu  (俞洋), Lei Zhao  (赵蕾), Zhiqiang Li  (李志强), Qiang Guo  (郭强), Dingbang Xiong  (熊定邦) & Di Zhang  (张荻)

Authors
  1. Yishi Su  (苏益士)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zan Li  (李赞)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yang Yu  (俞洋)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lei Zhao  (赵蕾)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Zhiqiang Li  (李志强)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Qiang Guo  (郭强)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Dingbang Xiong  (熊定邦)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Di Zhang  (张荻)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Di Zhang  (张荻).

Additional information

Author contributions Zhang D and Su Y designed and directed the overall study. Sample preparation, tensile tests and SEM, TEM observation were carried out by Li Z, Yu Y and Zhao L, respectively. Su Y wrote the manuscript and discussed the results and analyzed the data with Li ZQ, Guo Q and Xiong D.

Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Yishi Su received his PhD from University of Technology of Troyes, France in 2012, and joined Professor Di Zhang’s group as a post-doctor and assistant professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University since 2012, 2014. His research interests focus on biomimetic metal matrix composites and materials genome computation.

Di Zhang received his PhD from Osaka University, Japan. He is now a Chair Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China (since 1994), the director of State Key Lab of Metal Matrix Composites and the Institute of Composite Materials at SJTU (since 2003), and the Professor of Chang Jiang Scholars Program (since 2001). Prof. Zhang has published more than 200 peer reviewed academic articles, 1 English academic book on morphology-genetic materials, and attended international conferences as invited speakers for 47 times. His research interests include the process of advanced metal matrix composites and the basic and applied research on biomimetic morphology-genetic materials.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Su, Y., Li, Z., Yu, Y. et al. Composite structural modeling and tensile mechanical behavior of graphene reinforced metal matrix composites. Sci. China Mater. 61, 112–124 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-017-9142-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-017-9142-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation