Effect of graphene dispersion and interfacial bonding on the mechanical properties of metal matrix composites: an overview

Abstract

The mechanical properties of metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with graphene are very much dependant on the uniform distribution of graphene in the matrix. The nature of bonding between the graphene reinforcement and metallic matrices is also critical and influences the performance of the final composite. In spite of an abundance of information on graphene reinforced metal matrices, less attention has been made on the graphene dispersion and its interface bonding with the matrix. This is surprising as almost all reports categorically emphasize on their importance; however, specific attention to these issues is very scarce. This is the main theme of this report to highlight the fundamentals of atomic structure of graphene as a contributing factor on dispersion along with the bonding mechanism involved at the interface between graphene and the metallic matrix. In the following sections, fabrication of metal-based composites reinforced with graphene through powder metallurgy (PM) has been studied. In this respect, the challenges of dispersion and interfacial bonding have been addressed in addition to their effects on the mechanical properties of composites. In this context, recently developed novel methods including coating graphene with nano-metallic particles, vacuum filtration, matrix-alloying, and defect engineering via plasma treatment along with their influence on mechanical properties have been discussed.