The Effect of Dispersion Method on the Mechanical Properties of Graphene Reinforced Alumina Composites

Abstract

Due to the remarkable physical and mechanical properties of graphene, it is considered to be one of the most promising reinforcements for structural ceramics. In this paper, the composite material is compacted by hot pressing and the effects of mechanical stirring and ultrasonic on dispersion of graphene in alumina matrix were investigated, which was believed to have a great influence on the mechanical properties of the hot-pressed composites. It is found that from Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation. Compared with ultrasonic, the composite, in which graphene was dispersed by mechanical stirring, showed higher bending strength (555.1MPaVS432.3MPa) and fracture toughness (4.4MPa·m1/2VS 4.1MPa·m1/2). The result is much more promising to be employed in the designing and processing of graphene composites.