Development of magnesium-graphene nanoplatelets composite

Abstract

In recent years, graphene has attracted a great research interest in all fields of sciences due to its unique properties. Its excellent mechanical properties lead it to be used in nanocomposites for strength enhancement. In current work, a new magnesium-graphene nanoplatelets composite is fabricated for the first time using semi-powder metallurgy method. The effect of graphene nanoplatelets addition on the mechanical behaviour of pure magnesium under both tension and hardness is investigated. The results demonstrate that graphene nanoplatelets are distributed homogeneously in the magnesium matrix, therefore act as an effective reinforcing filler to prevent the deformation. Compared to monolithic magnesium, the magnesium/0.3 wt% graphene nanoplatelets composite exhibited improved elastic modulus, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and Vickers hardness. The improvement in elastic modulus, yield strength (0.2%), ultimate tensile strength and Vickers hardness for magnesium/0.3 wt% graphene nanoplatelets composite relative to pure magnesium are up to +10.6%, +5%, +8% and +19.3%, respectively. In addition to tensile and hardness tests for the analysis of mechanical properties of as synthesized composite, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction are used to investigate the surface morphology, elemental percentage composition and phase analysis, respectively.