Achieving high strength and ductility in copper matrix composites with graphene network

Although graphene/copper (Gr/Cu) composites synthesized by most of current methods can be strengthened, they usually suffer from a considerable ductility loss. To tackle this issue, graphene network (GN) is constructed in the Cu matrix based on a powder-metallurgy strategy. The graphene network/Cu (GN/Cu) composites exhibit an excellent combination of high strength and good ductility with small graphene content. The tensile yield strength and ultimate strength of the 1.0 vol% GN/Cu composites are 128.6 MPa and 288.6 MPa, which are respectively 81.6% and 36.8% higher than those of pure Cu, while still maintaining a high ductility value of 35.8%. This work highlights the important role of GN in strengthening and toughening GN/Cu composites. The efficient grain refinement strengthening, dislocation strengthening and load transfer strengthening are achieved through the construction of GN in GN/Cu composites. In addition, effective crack bridging and deflection are provided by the GN, resulting in the toughening of GN/Cu composites.

Automated summary

The graphene network/Cu (GN/Cu) composites are able to achieve a high strength and good ductility combination with low graphene content in the copper matrix. The efficient grain refinement strengthening, dislocation strengthening and load transfer strengthening are achieved through the construction of a graphene network in the composites. Additionally, effective crack bridging and deflection provided by the graphene network contribute to the toughening of the GN/Cu composites.