Silver matrix composites consolidated and hot extruded from ball milled powders strengthened with different types of graphene platelets
Jan Dutkiewicz, Piotr Ozga, Janusz Pstruś, Wojciech Maziarz, Justyna Grzegorek
Quarterly No. 4, 2016 pages 207-211
DOI:
keywords: metal matrix composites, graphene platelets, electron microscopy, ball milling, powder metallurgy
abstract Silver matrix composites containing 1÷2% graphene platelets of various thicknesses were uniaxially hot pressed at 480°C in vacuum from powders ball milled for 5 hours. Two kinds of graphene nanoplatelets were added: (i) - nanoflakes (FLRGO) of a thickness 2÷4 nm, which led to a higher hardness (35÷49 HV) and slightly lower electrical resistivity of the composites, than that of pure hot pressed Ag and (ii) - nanographite platelets (N006) 10÷20 nm thick as confirmed by electron microscopy, which caused a similar increase in hardness up to 34÷45 HV and about a 40% higher electrical resistivity than that of pure hot pressed Ag. SEM studies showed a more homogeneous microstructure of the composites with the FLRGO graphene additions. TEM studies confirmed refinement of the thickness and lateral size of the graphene particles after milling and hot compaction down to a few nm manifested by diffused electron diffraction. The hot extrusion of hot pressed composites with FLRGO platelets caused the growth of graphene platelets and coagulation of the platelets, which contributed to a higher hardness and electrical resistivity.