Non-oxidized graphene/metal composites by laser deposition additive manufacturing

Graphene-based metallic nanocomposites are promising materials for applications where tailored strength and functionality are required such as space and automotive industries. Additive manufacturing, specifically 3D printing, is currently considered a revolutionary process to tailor and engineer materials for certain applications. Herein, we report fast and reliable approach to prepare mechanically robust, ductile and high thermally conductive graphene-based aluminum nanocomposites using laser deposition manufacturing (LDM). Conventional ball milling was used to homogenously mix graphene platelets and aluminum alloy powder (AlSi7Mg) and then sintered by LDM. Structure-property relations of aluminum/graphene nano-composites were investigated and thus LDM process was assessed. This includes morphological characterizations such as optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectrometry; and mechanical properties measurements including tensile test and Vickers hardness. The 3D printed Al-alloy/graphene nanocomposites showed increments of 60.7%, 23.03%, 193.7% and 66% in tensile strength, Young's modulus, elongation at break and Vickers hardness in comparison with pure Al-alloy. This study proved reliability of 3D printing metallic composites with mechanical robustness and other tailored functionality such as thermal conductivity. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study presents a fast and reliable approach to prepare graphene-based aluminum nanocomposites with high mechanical strength, ductility, and thermal conductivity using laser deposition manufacturing. 3D printed Al-alloy/graphene nanocomposites exhibited significant improvements in mechanical properties compared to pure aluminum alloy, showing potential for various applications.