Anisotropic and elastoplastic characteristics of 3D printed graphene/aluminum composites by coupled experimental and numerical analysis

The selective laser melting (SLM) forming of graphene/aluminum (Al) composites is difficult. Herein, the graphene/Al composites are successfully fabricated by SLM, and the printing process parameters are optimized experimentally. The anisotropic and elastoplastic characteristics of the graphene/Al composites by SLM are explored by the nanoindentation experiments first. The mesoscopic crystal plastic finite element (CPFE) model of the graphene/Al composites is developed, considering the microstructure characteristics from experiments, which presents a great agreement with the experimental data. The strengthening mechanism of graphene with various geometric sizes reinforced Al matrix composites is investigated by the novelly coupled experimental and CPFE methods.

Automated summary

Graphene/aluminum composites are successfully fabricated using selective laser melting, with optimized printing parameters. Anisotropic and elastoplastic characteristics are explored through nanoindentation experiments, while a mesoscopic crystal plastic finite element (CPFE) model is developed to study the strengthening mechanism of graphene reinforcements in aluminum matrix composites. The CPFE model shows great agreement with experimental data.